“I want to come back and do it all” Cadet Sergeant H B.
On Friday 1 November 2024 twelve cadets and support staff from Cumbria & Lancashire Wing RAF Air Cadets completed a five day Spanish expedition on the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. They trekked the 115km from Sarria to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela located in a UNESCO world heritage site.
BACKGROUND:
In early 2023 the expedition leader suggested the idea of an overseas trekking expedition to some adventure training colleagues who later formed the expedition team staff.
The expedition was to take place in Galicia in the north west of Spain in late October and early November to avoid the higher summer temperatures and crowds.
The aim of the expedition was to develop a sense of adventure by providing an opportunity to complete an overseas trekking expedition on a long distance trail and compare it to those in the UK; develop self-confidence, self-reliance, initiative, team working skills and improving levels of physical fitness; attain a ‘Compostela’ a certificate issued by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to pilgrims who have completed a significant portion (minimum of 100km) of the Camino de Santiago.
Most individuals can probably comfortably complete a day walk or even a couple of days. The big physical and mental challenge of this adventure was the multi-day nature of the expedition with little time to recover. Physical fitness, good teamwork, determination and a sense of fun were the essential ingredients to succeed.
To provide the opportunity to as wide a cadet audience as possible, fund raising commenced to reduce the cost per head. A generous donation from the Ulysses Trust helped to encourage over sixty cadets to initially apply to join the expedition. The applicants were whittled down to twelve from squadrons that represented all the six sectors across Cumbria & Lancashire Wing.
PREPARATION:
The expedition team comprised of twelve cadets aged 16 to 19 supported by four adults and a support driver and hire car in the event of injury or illness.
In March 2024 the Cadets completed a selection day summiting Walna Scar (621m) near Coniston Water in the Lake District to ‘stretch their legs’. Then the training started for the cadets and staff in April 2024 when the expedition team completed a two-day training exercise in and around the Pennine Way and summited Ingleborough (723m) and Pen-y-Ghent (694m) in the Yorkshire Dales with an overnight camp. The final training weekend took place in September 2024 when the expedition team completed a two-day exercise in and around the Cumbria Way trekking from Rosthwaite via High Raise (762) to Coniston Water with an overnight camp in the iconic Langdale valley.
Preparation complete, finances in place, admin done, authorisation granted and the ‘peregrinos’ (a person who travels to a holy place) set off in late October 2024 on the coach for the airport to start their Spanish adventure.
EXPEDITION:
Day 1 from Sarria to Portomarin (24Km)
Day 1 started with a hearty breakfast, a group photograph, a good weather forecast and a bit of a buzz amongst the team. However, the expedition came to a grinding halt after 50 metres from the start point as the first port of call was a souvenir shop. The best part of an hour later everyone was suitably attired with additional scallop shells, hats, commemorative coins and trinkets. A nice steady pace was set out of Sarria checking for the abundant route markers of yellow arrows and scallop shells along the way with a photo opportunity at the 100Km to go marker. The Lancashire and Cumbrian banners were billowing in the breeze attached to the day sacs and the sun was shining.
It wasn’t long before the team got their first ‘Buen Camino’, the traditional greeting from some fellow ‘peregrinos’ on the Camino de Santiago. The team passed and in turn were repassed by individuals and groups throughout the day, all walking at their own pace and all exchanging the greeting.
A great first day ended with crossing the bridge over the River Minho with an overnight stop at Portomarin. A hot shower was first on the list followed by a mandatory foot inspection by Warrant Officer Baines before food, exploring the town and bed.
Day 2 Portomarin to Palas de Rei (24 Km)
Minor blisters treated overnight and the day started with a gentle walk back down through the town crossing the bridge over the River Minho and climbing out of the valley. A warm and dry day was forecast and everyone was still in high spirits.
After a welcome lunch the team made a minor diversion to inspect Castro de Castromaior just off the Camino route. The slightly elevated fourth century BC iron-age fort provided a good excuse for a stop and a photo opportunity.
A few were feeling a little braver and took pleasure in practicing their ’Buen Camino’ whether you were a peregrino or not.
Day 3 Palas de Rei to Arzua (28km)
The longest day started with a rude awakening by Cadet Warrant Officer Hird who ensured that everyone completed a series of warm up exercises and stretching outside the front door of the hotel which was a challenge for some! A quick photo opportunity and the team set off.
The thought of a long day after the previous two days walking was having an effect on one or two who were a little quiet to start with. However, it didn’t take long and the high spirits and daily banter soon returned. The cadets were chattering away and reminding each other to make sure that they got at least the minimum two stamps or ‘sellos’ per day in their ‘Credencial de Peregrino’ (Camino Pilgrim Record/Passport). There appeared to be a healthy competition to see who could collect the most ornate and/or number of stamps.
There were plenty of breaks along the way and chats with other groups large and small, including three friends from New York one of whom thought he was just going for a bit of a stroll, three ladies from Mexico, a group from British Columbia, Canada, some ladies from Thailand and a lone man from Manchester who had been ‘adopted’ by a larger group from all over Europe. The familiar ‘Buen Camino’ was a great ice breaker and generated plenty of friendly chat.
The sight of our accommodation was welcomed by all along with a long shower and another foot inspection!
Day 4 Arzua to Rua (19Km)
A little bit of a lie-in to aid recovery was granted. Everyone appeared to be happy that the day was going to be noticeably shorter together with the knowledge that it was the penultimate day with a realistic chance of completing the expedition.
The day was spent passing through meadows and woods made up of oak and Eucalyptus trees which helped as the good luck continued with the nice weather.
As the day was shorter, there was time to enjoy the weather, tortilla and other snacks at the various bars and cafes along the way chatting with the peregrinos including a team of Spanish Marines.
Day 5 Rua to Santiago de Compostela (18Km)
Nearly there but not quite. There was a degree of excited anticipation around the breakfast tables on the final day.
There was a steady but determined pace slightly offset by some tiredness after nearly a 100km.Nonetheless the team diverted from the Camino route along a path of tall eucalyptus trees that lined the way to the pilgrim statue at Monte del Gozo (Hill of Joy) so named by pilgrims as it provided the first sight of the Cathedral towers since the start.
The team eagerly trekked down the hill and off towards the distant cathedral towers. As they approached the cathedral they were greeted by bagpipes as they went through the arch to the main square in front of the Cathedral which was awash with tired but happy, smiling ‘peregrinos’ who, like them, had completed their pilgrim journey.
Post Expedition:
The team gladly retired to their rooms in the nearby Hospederia San Martin Pinario a converted monastery which has been welcoming pilgrims since the 16th century. Once showered and changed the team enjoyed mass in the full to capacity magnificent Cathedral built over the tomb of St James the Apostle. The team then went to claim their Compostela and a certificate to confirm the distance they had completed.
“Walking the Camino de Santiago was one of the greatest challenges I have taken part in during my time in cadets. I was a fantastic experience”. Cadet Sergeant G S
The expedition team of staff and cadets from across Cumbria & Lancashire Wing RAF Air Cadets achieved all the aims set at the outset in addition to providing an opportunity for some of the cadets to complete the residential section of their gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It also provided invaluable experience to the existing staff in organizing and participating in an overseas adventure and resulted in two cadets applying to be a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer instructor.
The success of the expedition was a result of tenacity, good teamwork and good humour with the grateful support of the Ulysses Trust and other sponsors.
Buen Camino
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
