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In September this year, I'm planning to walk across Spain on a route known as El Camino de Santiago, in memory of my mum who passed away from metastatic breast cancer in Jan 2009. 

The Camino has been a pilgrimage route since the 9th century, and every year thousands of pilgrims attempt to reach the city of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. I'll be starting in St Jean Pied de Port, on the French side of the Pyrenees, entering Spain on the northeast side and ending in Santiago. The route is about 500 miles, or 800km, which I estimate will take about 30 days of walking. I'll be staying at hostels along the way with my fellow pilgrims, and walking with them when the occasion arises, but for all intents and purposes I'm making this journey alone. 

Walking the Camino is definitely a challenge, and I've got a good few months to prepare for it. I'm already trying to walk everywhere I go in London, and I'll be going hiking and long distance walking at weekends when I can. I'm also getting continually tempted into buying a ludicrous amount of hiking-specific clothing... But apart from the physical challenge, it's also a mental and emotional one. I've been struggling with the loss of my mum for six years, and this walk will give me the chance to refocus on what's important in my life, and how I can best remember her. 

As some of you know, I write about my travels online, and this adventure is no different. I'll be updating the site with my progress ahead of the walk, but for now here's my first article about walking the Camino: http://floratheexplorer.com/walking-the-camino-across-spain/

**Any money I raise for cancer research through this JustGiving page will not be funding my Camino walk in any way. I simply want to give people the ability to channel their support for my personal challenge towards a charity which means a great deal to me.**

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