Tuesday 14th March Our first walking day stated around 9:15am after a sociable breakfast where we met a few other walkers. We got our Credencia stamped as apparently the first one is very important, then a quick photo to mark the occasion and we were off walking up and out of town onto "The Way." Loads of signs and arrows to keep us on the right path so that should save us loads of map discussion time. Weather great for walking, dry and not too warm. Walking through woodland, then quiet, old medieval villages then into Barbedelo church and our next "sella" or stamp on our Credencias and my first opportunity to leave a MKMRF/ BLF pin. Onward through lush, green countryside with primroses and violets along the banksides. Sky getting more and more blue and so much birdsong, we had to keep stopping to listen. Jane spotted a robin in a tree and it just lifted its beak and sang. That resulted in my favourite picture of the day. Picnic lunch of local cheese, apples and oatcakes in the sunshine. Good job as lots of the bars and cafes along the way are shut until Easter. We stopped at an open one for a drink and the lady said that she'd had around 40 Peregrinos through compared with a 1000 in the Summer. Hard to imagine it so crowded. Lots of streams at the side of the path and waterfalls every so often. Everyone's feet holding out, so far so good. Met two American sisters who had blisters already so Lindsay did her Samaritan bit with the Compeed. Their younger sister had gone on ahead. We met them again that night in Portomarin and they were still friends - just! Our hotel tonight described as Rural and it was a bit out of town so extra walking, coupled with a fair bit of whinging after 23 Kms already. Gorgeous place but their restaurant was closed, disappointing as they had promised home grown veg etc. The owner did take and collect us from town so not so bad. Talked to another set of Americans who asked us about Brexit and slagged off Trump so a jolly night with pizza and red wine. Very tired and another 25km tomorrow but such a good day.

Sunday 12th March Well, that was not a good start as our flight was delayed from Newcastle for an hour and a half, although every cloud has a silver lining and ours was cold, fizzy and wet. Things look so much better after a bottle of Prosecco shared with friends. We weren't sure if we would make our Barcelona connection so had to leg it to the departure gate in the hope that it was also delayed. It was! We arrived in Santiago de Compostela very late but our taxi man was still waiting for us. Our overnight apartment was gorgeous. An old building, beautifully renovated. We were in the rafters with three balconies and a view of the cathedral. Stylish, comfortable with a kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine, fabulous furniture, comfy beds and a brilliant shower, it's a shame we weren't there for a week also a shame we didn't have any teabags. Monday 13th March Cathedral bells rung out at 7am but we did linger a while. Sunny but a chill wind when we went out for breakfast and a wander to find a cash machine. The tv news in the breakfast place featured the capture of a man who murdered a woman walking the Camino in 2015 - mmmmm, there's food for thought. Quite a few walkers out and about around the city and cathedral all still smiling so it can't be that bad can it? Our taxi arrived to take us to Sarria driven by a very friendly young man who told us loads about the route on the hour and a half drive. Our planning meetings must have been somewhat productive as the arrangements have been spot on. We were wished our first "Buon Camino" from our driver as he left and also got our "Credencias" on arrival at the hotel. These have to be stamped at least twice a day along the "Way" We are tourists today so had a long lunch and the odd vino tinto before exploring the city. Many churches and hills and quite busy with walkers. We bought our scallop shells for the backpacks but decided against the wooden staffs as they were quite large, although we did have the discussion that we could use them to fend off murderers. The avenue along the river had loads of displays about women's lives to celebrate International Women's Day last week, really interesting. Alarm set for early o'clock tomorrow when we become "Peregrinas" with a 14.2 mile walk from Sarria to Portomarin.

Danny's Snowdrop Fund is just under the £10.000 mark. I hung up my Great North Run Trainers last year so haven't had an event to raise further funds so I decided that this would be the push to take us over £10,000. The "Camino" as it is known, has significant stops along the way where pilgrims pray and leave stones, offerings etc., so I will be leaving a trail of MKMRF/British Lung Foundation pins in memory of Danny and all the other good friends we have lost too early to Mesothelioma. The final one will be in the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago. ( I'll try to update everyone with our progress as we go) Thanks to MKMRF, BLF and generous donations, we are making progress with research and I will walk with hope for a more optimistic future for those who will also fall victim to this cruel disease. Wish us luck and please give generously.