Patrick’s Fundraiser
for The Southport and Area Schools Worker Trust 4th-19th June 2025
You will be able to follow Patrick’s progress and thoughts as he pedals his way across northern Spain below.
Given the events in our town last summer, now is the time more than ever to shine a beacon of light and bring hope to an emerging generation. The SASWT youth workers and volunteers are powering ahead every day of the week, visiting primary and secondary schools, leading assemblies, running workshops, creating Safe Space school yard drop-ins, after-school clubs and much more! You can find out more about the SASWT at https://saswtrust.com/.
In an age of ever increasing need, with escalating mental health and wellbeing concerns, they have the opportunity to expand their hugely in-demand work acrosslocal schools. If you are able to support this sponsored bike ride, you join a movement that makes a difference right now and in years to come.
This is a significantly steep assignment, cycling the Camino Way from Sarlat-la-Canéda in south west France, across the Pyrenees, to Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain – over 14 days in the saddle that’s 728 miles with 12636 meters of ascent (equivalent to 119 Parbold Hills!). The Camino de Santiago, often called the “Way of St. James” or “The Way,” is a network of pilgrimage routes
across Europe leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, believed to be the final resting place of the apostle St. James.
With your generosity, we’ll support the SASWT as they partner with schools, youth clubs, churches and other organisations to make a lasting difference in the lives of local young people – unleashing purpose, building resilience, and bringing hope for the future.
Tuesday 3rd June
Together with my good friend, “Electric” Craig, we set off from Southport at 0800hrs on Monday by car to Stansted, where we leave the car for our return flight from Santiago De Compostela. We had similar reflections of feeling excitement tinged with a large dose of apprehension…can we do it, will we make it, we’re a couple of years older etc? Craig has walked the final 100 miles of the Camino some 10 years ago…”let the Camino speak to you” is his advice, and that of others who have regaled is with their experience.
All went well and we caught our train to Portsmouth navigating London without issue. An overnight crossing to Ouistreham was like sailing across a duck pond. We took the opportunity to visit Sword Beach in honour of my Dad (an emotional moment that as always catches me by surprise). His regimental plaque stated “Nec Aspera Terrent” – “Difficulties be Damned”, always a good motto when travelling. We cycled along the River Orne to Caen, stopping en route for breakfast.
At Caen station our train was showing 20 minutes delay, which given we only had 56 minutes to cross Paris was a concern. We got to Paris 30 minutes late and raced across the city. It was a valiant effort but we reached the platform only to find our train to Bordeaux pulling out of the station.
On the upside we were offered a nights accommodation in Paris courtesy of SNCF. The thought of telling our spouses about this looked like too good an opportunity to pass up! However, we would not arrive at our destination (Sarlat en Caneda) until 8pm the following day. So we ploughed on and managed to get to Bordeaux were we stayed impromptu overnight. We will arrive at the start point at 3pm on Wednesday and start day one 6 hours behind schedule, hopefully arriving at our destination about 10pm and we’ll be back on track.
We have four days cycling before we start the Camino proper.
Wednesday 4th June
We had a leisurely start to the day in Bordeaux because the first train to Sarlat was not until 12:40. This allowed for some sight seeing in the city that sits on the river Garonne which we will see again on Thursday.
We arrived in Sarlat in heavy rain, and got on track by 4pm. The rain eventually relented making way for sunshine. We wanted to get to our accommodation by sunset, so to be honest the cycling was functional and arduous…not much enjoyment! En route we spotted an ingenious farmers fence made out of old bicycles. There was one significant climb when we left the Dordogne valley for the Lot valley. Our nights stay was on the banks of the Lot. Tomorrow is a more forgiving day, and hopefully time to admire the scenery.
As always seems to happen, the rules of long distance cycling have come to my mind afresh…1) don’t think about the enormity of the ride, it’s too scary, rather focus on the day in hand; just achieve what you have to today, 2) every mile counts whether it’s a long uphill climb or a fast down hill ride, 3) freewheel the downhills to save your energy for the climbs. Lessons I need to remember for life!
Bordeaux, bike fence, sunset over the River Lot
Thursday 5th June
A call out to Martin Maynard our circiut webmaster, who also looks after this website. If there are delays in the blog appearing it’s all my doing and definitely not Martin’s. He’s always on the case 
To be honest my mind was struggling today. Given our late finish the night before, we set off at 10am. Out accommodation was ideal for our needs.
I found today really tough. We’d planned 59 miles but my energy was depleted by 40 miles. We got to our accommodation in Baudignan about 5pm. My anxiety wasn’t great and I was thinking this is just too much. Electric Craig always seems to have the right word of encouragement at the right time. After some individual contemplation by us both we decided at the’d reduce our daily mileage in lieu of some rest days. Suddenly things seemed better and more achievable. On further reflection, given our late start the previous day, we’d effectively completed two days cycling in a single 24 hour period. This combined with the travelling may explain things.
The days cycling was actually really good, starting on a disused rail track that is not a cycle route. We saw things such as the bird of prey. On Wednesday we cycled across the Dordogne and Lot rivers, today it was the River Garonne, which links into a camel of the same name, and connects the Atlantic sea with the Mediterranean Sea.
Craig had a puncture which he repaired as quickly as an F1 pit team, we were soon back on our way.
Hoping today’s anxiety will subside after a good nights rest 
Click image to enlarge.
Friday 6th June
To mark D-Day I wore my D-Day cycling top! It’s seems to have done the trick as the riding seemed more doable. We set off early doors through the forest that had been our overnight stay. We hoped to join a former rail line cycle track, but it wasn’t navigable on our bikes. We took the road, which wasn’t as forgiving as rail tracks never have steep inclines…this road does and we (sort of) took them by storm. Later we rejoined the old railway line which at that point was well surface. A gradual decline to Marsan. By lunch time we’d reached 35 miles and our next nights stay in Poyanne was well within our reach. A tough climb a few miles out did to deter us. The village was beautiful…the post office come village shop, bar and bistro was perfect. No food choice, as it was Chinese night and the banquet hit the spot!
Feel like we’re into more of a rhythm which we need to be as we approach the Pyrenees.
I was reflecting on how reducing the daily mileage if needs be, in lieu of rest days, eased our minds. If we do about 42 miles per day over 17 days we reach Santiago.
Click image to enlarge.
Saturday 7th June
Today we felt like we’re on a roll. We’d pretty much done 40 miles cycling by lunchtime when we arrived in Saint Palais. We had a decision to make, do we cycle onto the start of the Camino ride in Saint Jean Pied de Port some 25 miles on or stay out for the night. There was no accommodation in those 25 miles and the terrain looked tougher than we’d faced. It also meant we could perhaps cycle through SJPdP on Sunday and get ahead of ourselves. We stayed put and booked into a Chambre d’hote, who offered an evening meal. Upon arriving the hosts said they’d gone to check the room and it was flooded, would it be ok to say with their parents 9km away from the direction we’d come from! Not the news we wanted to hear, no way we’re cycling backwards. Just then the parents arrived, we left our bikes and allowed ourselves to be kidnapped. The parents pad was amazing, also a chambre d’hote but much more up market with a garden like a parkland. Our original hosts arrived with dinner…all was well!
Click image to enlarge.
Sunday 8th June
Today has been the toughest day yet. The incline on some of the climbs led us to get off and push. We get there in the end! The roads are quiet and the views amazing, so green and lush. We aimed to get to the start of the Camino by 12 noon and were only 15 minutes off that. We got our first Passport stamp in Saint Jean Pied de Port.
Monday brings a monster ascent of 1200 meters over 18 miles, but with some tough parts, we therefore managed a couple of additional hours to get ahead and f the game.
Tomorrow begins to warm up, and from Tuesday onwards the heat will vie with the terrain to battle against us. Early starts to beat the heat will be the order of the day, to enable us to finish by 12 noon/1pm for a siesta.
Click image to enlarge.
Monday 9th June
This morning started with the longest single climb of the journey. From the profile you can see it’s 6.5 miles of 2000 feet ascent (about 9 successive Parbold hills). We set off at 6.50am as it’s beginning to hot up. A few hours later we’d crossed the summit and were enjoying breakfast.
We then pressed onto Pamplona (where in July the race bulls through the narrow city streets. We stopped cycling about 2ish and after testing looked around the enormous cathedral complex.
So against the original plan we are spot on timings. Not sure last Wednesday we would have made it this far.
Tuesday 10th June
Today has been the hottest day of the ride, 32 degrees at its peak. Our aim is to get all our cycling done between 12noon and 1pm when it would be 27 degrees…for me after that it becomes dangerous. So we’ve reduced our daily target. As we wound out the streets of Pamplona at 7 am there were a lot of Pilgrims walking. There were still some v tough climbs, which we took our time on. We went through the town of Estella around noon teaching our stopping point of Los Arcos. The Way has great (and good value) Albergues were we are staying. We still managed about 45 miles.
Wednesday 11th June
Given the high temperatures in the forecast we left at 6.50, just as Dawn was breaking. The silence is golden, with the pilgrims setting off in quiet whispers, not quite awake! For Mother Nature this is her time which we momentarily have the opportunity to experience.
This was the best day of cycling so far, we both seemed to find our rhythm. Fortunately it remained overcast which subdued the intensity of the heat which was really welcomed.
We started on Los Arcos where we had stayed overnight. The village was making preparations for bull running in the streets with massive wooden constructions at the end of streets to stop the bulls going off course, and houses with metal gates across their doors.
We soon reached the city of Logrono for breakfast (a large slice of pear tart with coffee) at 8.30. Good to breakfast with miles under our belt. The terrain felt fairly forgiving but there was still about 900m of ascent.
Most of route is on tarmac as road cyclists, but today’s section had a significant amount on the walkers path, bike bell was required.
We arrived at the town of Santo Domingo de La Calzada soon after 1.3 and booked into the first Albergue we found, which was perfect for our rest.
Craig continues to be the perfect cycling partner, always helping as we weight up the decisions en route; always encouraging. We did happen to lose one another for an hour today. He was waiting at one point for me but I sped past without either of us noticing…mobile phones are such an asset on occasions.
Late evening and overnight there were storms, with torrential rain, thunder and lightening.
Thursday 12th June
We made our earliest get away this morning at 6.30. We start each day with a prayer, and today we would need it. Construction of a new motorway meant I was not confident of our route, and within 10 minutes my concerns were realised. After navigating some new highway without tarmac, we made it to the walkers trail for about 5/10 miles, before hitting good road surface again (see photo of Craig infront of two walkers).
It was a cycle of two halves, the morning was a slow incline with interesting gradients. The longest incline was of 3.47 miles which took me 53 minutes. I count 500 turns of the pedal then rest for a few moments, take on fluid and go again. The downhills are with the other investment but we take it easy. That uphill was about 470 meters (3.5 parbold hills in succession) taking us to one of the highest peaks of the journeys so fat. We had a breakfast stop at 15 miles feasting on tortilla, the best meal for cyclists.
Having completed our days journeys by 1pm, we arrived in the beautiful city of Burgos. This would be a great place for a rest day, but alas we travel on.
So after 9 days cycling we’ve covered 371 miles, with 360 to complete, hopefully in 7 days, but we have a spare day of needs be at the end.
The next few days are relatively flat so we hope to get in some higher mileage in before hitting the hills again. Temperatures are rising tomorrow, and maybe a cooler day over the weekend.
Friday 13th June
Just a quick mention of last nights stop over in Burgos, this is a city I’d definitely like to return to and explore some more. A few photos included in today’s batch.
We set off at 6.30 this morning, and it was beautiful with the moon still in the sky and the sun yet to rise. This was going to be a relatively flat day so we could hopefully bump up our daily mileage. It was a great ride with many gradual downhills allowing us to freewheel a few miles. We passed through the arch of an old abbey before reaching Castrojeriz for breakfast with about 25 miles under our belt …the garden café had a sign saying bacon, egg and coffee, the best marketing tool for hungry pilgrims – delicious.
Given the flatlands we saw our first train line since leaving France, and even a canal – Canal de Castilia. We stayed the night in a convent hostel in Carrion de Los Condes, were there were two brothers walking the Camino having met through Ancestry.com!
Saturday 14th June
After a poor nights sleep hampered by monumental snoring in the dorm, we were on the road by. 6.20. The weather has been kind these last few days. It was only 11 degrees as we set off and about 25 at our destination.
Again this was a cycling flat day, even more so than yesterday. We reached 25 miles for breakfast, and arrived at our nights accommodation by 1pm, at a Benedictine hostel in Leon. A really busy city, night life feels it will be loud…obviously the place in north west Spain to come for stags and hens weekends…some interesting sights!
We cycled steadily along the road with walkers on the path beside us.
We’ve covered 534 miles now and have 197 remaining. Our original plan was to reach Leon today and have a rest day tomorrow. Temperatures are set to rise significantly next week, so we plan to ride for the next 5 days, and hopefully be done each day by 1pm. From our half way point tomorrow the terrain becomes very hilly again, so tough cycling ahead in these final days. Just hoping that fatigue doesn’t get the better of us.
Albergue Serenade by Craig
The Albergue hushed, or so it seemed,
As weary pilgrims, they all day-dreamed.
But soon a rumble, then a roar,
Erupted from the bunks next door.
A symphony of snores took flight,
A rumbling, grumbling, noisy night.
Through trumpet snores and reedy wheeze,
No peaceful slumber, no sweet ease.
My friend and I, with eyes wide bright,
Just watched for the coming of the light.
Sunday 15th June
Last night we stayed n Leon, which seems to be a real party town. As we left at 6.30 am many pilgrims were already on the road. As we meandered through the narrow streets we vied with the street cleaners and dodged the broken glass. Pilgrims and revellers, both weary for different reasons, headed long the moon lit streets.
Leon isn’t a city I’d hurry back to, and the roads out of town were unforgiving for such an early start. Soon though we were on the straights, reaching Hospital de Orbison for breakfast. It was really chilly since for only the second time I wore a cycling coat.
We reached Astorga by 11, helped by the flat lands, but we can see the mountain range ahead that will be our challenge this week. Astorga has a lot of Roman heritage, and one of the photos is of a Roman home. Another photo is of a palace designed by Gaudi.
We knew the next Lego would be tough, a long slow ascent to the summit of the highest peak of the ride. 700 meters to be climbed. We did all but 100 meters and reached the well accommodating village of Foncebadon. Although bright sunshine it was a tad chill in the shade. 150 miles to go with some of the toughest climbing still to come.
Thank you to all those who have sponsored, your generosity is very much appreciated by the Schools Worker Trust.
Monday 16th June
We completed the rest of the climb from yesterday setting off at 6.30. Within a short time we reached the highest peak (I think) on the Camino, and began our decent into Ponferrada some 15 miles away. After a mile we stopped at a significant passing point on the Camino, at Cruz de Ferro, were we placed a stone and had a moment to reflect how far we’d come. It was a steep decent from there on with the bakes on all the way. With the windchill on the decedent, in the shadows of sun it was very cold, three layers on! We had breakfast in Ponferrada, then in Carracedelo had the brake pads checked over, the mechanic was assuring they’d be more than fine for the final stretch to Santiago.
We rest tonight in Vega de Valcarce. In the morning we have the second hardest climb of the ride…7.42 miles, 599 meters, a ride to be taken in the cool of the day. 13 days down, 3 to go 
Tuesday 17th June
Today started with a steep climb to the top of the Cebreiro summit which took a couple of hours. The picture of some of the road doesn’t do the terrain justice, part of the “road” wasn’t really navigable in n our bikes. Nevertheless we preserved.
The views were amazing, on one photo you can see the mist in the distance which was in our direction and kept the temperature low through until 12 noon. At the top of the climb there was a cafe doing a roaring breakfast trade!
The rest of the morning still had some tricky although far smaller climbs. We arrived in the town of Sarria just after midnight day as the sun burnt the mist away and the afternoon was 34 degrees, allowing time for a siesta .
The (hopefully) final two days are low mileage at about 37 miles a day, with about 1000 meters of ascent each day (10 Parbold hills)…keep pedalling. Tomorrow is due to be the hottest day so far so planning for a 6am start to beat the heat.
Wednesday 18th June
In order to beat the heat we were on the road at 5.50am so we could be done soon after 12 noon. Whilst we have had our bike lights in good use for the early mornings, we hadn’t factored in mist and fog. It gave us a cool start but and we had to be a tad cautious. Today we have completed 42.5 miles with a number of pretty steep climbs, in fact our total ascent was in excess of 1100 meters, greater than the tough climbing of yesterday.
Were we stayed last night, Sarria, is the shortest distance from Santiago that you can complete the Camino to qualify for a certificate. It can also we walked in 5-6 days so proves very popular for those with only a week to spare. The number of walkers en route has increased significantly, we must have passed hundreds of people, it felt like crowds leaving displaced villages, except they looked far to fresh and enthusiastic versus me and Craig on our 15th straight day in the saddle !
Despite the climbing the views were spectacular, especially once we got over the mist.
A few years ago Craig completed the Camino from Sarria to Santiago with his son and one of his daughters, so I offered him congratulations because either walking or cycling he’s now completed the whole of the French route. Even though I call him electric Craig his bike is very much a hybrid, pretty much between mine (no electric) and a full on electric bike that has 90 newton meters. Craig’s is 40 newton meters. This means he only gets limited support up hills (and not on every hill), other than that he has absolutely ridden the full Camino without electricity and has the added weight of the battery. Without Craig’s positive outlook I definitely wouldn’t be 30 miles from Santiago, a finer companion I could not imagine; thanks Craig!
This evening we are at a great Albergue that at only 16 euro is amazing value for its quality (10 euro has been our cheapest Albergue. My cousin, Mark McCarthy knows this place. Mark is an author of a number of excellent Camino guidebooks, and he and his wife Catherine, provided great insight (and Rioja hospitality
) for us ahead in of the Camino; thank you Mark and Catherine.
Day 16 awaits!
Thursday 19th June
| Day | Date | From | To | Miles | Meters | Meters Per Mile | Parbold Hills |
| Travel | Mon, 2 Jun 2025 | Southport (by car) to Stansted (by train) | Portsmouth (o/n Ferry) | ||||
| Travel | Tue, 3 Jun 2025 | Caen (Train) via Paris & Bordeaux | Sarlat-la-Canéda | 1.3 | 74 | 56.9 | 0.7 |
| 1 | Wed, 4 Jun 2025 | Sarlat-la-Canéda | Villeneuve-sur-Lot | 56.0 | 692 | 12.4 | 6.5 |
| 2 | Thu, 5 Jun 2025 | Villeneuve-sur-Lot | Baudignan (via Le Mas-d’Agenais) | 59.3 | 342 | 5.8 | 3.2 |
| 3 | Fri, 6 Jun 2025 | Baudignan | Poyanne | 61.3 | 279 | 4.6 | 2.6 |
| 4 | Sat, 7 Jun 2025 | Poyanne | Saint Jean Pied de Port | 56.7 | 863 | 15.2 | 8.1 |
| 5 | Sun, 8 Jun 2025 | Saint Jean Pied de Port | Pamplona | 46.0 | 1277 | 27.8 | 12.0 |
| Rest Day | Mon, 9 Jun 2025 | Rest Day | 280.6 | 3527.0 | 12.6 | 33.3 | |
| 6 | Tue, 10 Jun 2025 | Pamplona | Logrono | 58.7 | 1364 | 23.2 | 12.9 |
| 7 | Wed, 11 Jun 2025 | Logrona | Villafranca Montes de Oca | 51.6 | 1163 | 22.5 | 11.0 |
| 8 | Thu, 12 Jun 2025 | Villafranca Montes de Oca | Castrojeriz | 54.4 | 668 | 12.3 | 6.3 |
| Rest Day | Fri, 13 Jun 2025 | Castrojeriz | Sahagun | 54.1 | 446 | 8.2 | 4.2 |
| 9 | Sat, 14 Jun 2025 | Sahagun | Leon | 33.9 | 253 | 7.5 | 2.4 |
| 10 | Sun, 15 Jun 2025 | Rest Day | 252.7 | 3894.0 | 15.4 | 36.7 | |
| 11 | Mon, 16 Jun 2025 | Leon | Ponferrada | 63.7 | 1126 | 17.7 | 10.6 |
| 12 | Tue, 17 Jun 2025 | Ponferrada | O Cebreiro | 33.9 | 988 | 29.1 | 9.3 |
| 13 | Wed, 18 Jun 2025 | O Cebreiro | Palas de Rei | 57.2 | 1287 | 22.5 | 12.1 |
| 14 | Thu, 19 Jun 2025 | Palas de Rei | Santiago de Compostela | 42.6 | 1026 | 24.1 | 9.7 |
| Rest Day | Fri, 20 Jun 2025 | Free Day | 197 | 4427 | 22.4 | 10.4 | |
| Travel | Sat, 21 Jun 2025 | Santiago de Compostela (by plane 06:55-08:05) to Stansted (by car) | Southport | ||||
| Total | 731 | 11848 | 16.2 | 111.8 | |||
| Average | 52.2 | 846 | 16.2 | 8.0 |