Can you believe it's already been four years since the whirlwind of 2020? I'm sure I'm not the only one who looks back on that year with a mix of emotions. In the blink of an eye, I went from being completely healthy to undergoing open-heart surgery. Post-operative complications landed me in a three-week coma, followed by a long and often challenging journey of rehabilitation, where I had to learn to walk again. It's been quite the rollercoaster ride!

Perhaps some of you remember my blogs from late 2020 and early 2021, where I documented my own walk to raise funds for the RBH Charity. Since then, I haven't slowed down one bit—I've kept on walking, and I've even taken on the challenge of firewalking! 

I feel great so here we go again. I love walking (you guessed that, right?) and I love Spain so why not combine the two. Indeed, so I have booked us (and my wife thinks she’s going to a relaxing beach holiday !) on the last 100 kilometre stretch of the “Camino De Santiago” which is one of Europe’s oldest pilgrimage routes - our part will take 5 days - the full way runs from the French border across the north of Spain for some 800kms (500 miles). Perhaps one day I’ll have the energy and time to do the full stretch. 

Our 100-kilometre trek is through Galicia, the northwestern province of Spain. Many describe it as a world apart from the more touristy coastal areas of Costa Del Sol and Costa Blanca in terms of its physical appearance, atmosphere, and character. What's remarkable is that we won't be alone on this journey, as hundreds of thousands of people walk this path each year. They make the conscious decision to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with themselves and others along the way, enriching their experience even more.

Did you know that the first official guidebook for the pilgrimage route was written nine hundred years ago? I think it's time to look for a more recent edition! Most travellers and pilgrims carry a document called a "credencial," which serves as a pilgrim's passport. This document is stamped along the way, and if you collect enough stamps, it entitles you to a "compostela" – a certificate of completion of the walk – hence the full name of Santiago de Compostela.

Join me on this incredible journey! I'll be doing my best to raise awareness of the great work the RBH Charity does, and I promise to update everyone when I finish the journey in Santiago.

Eugene wrote about his experiences and lessons learnt from hospital and beyond in his book “The Journey Continues” which is available on Amazon. All proceeds from the book go towards advancing care for heart and lung patients.

You can read part 2 of this blog series here.