Ability West - Camino de Santiago 2010

Providing Services and Supports to People with an Intellectual Disability

Trek the Camino de Santiago2010

Ability West. Trek The Camino. 2010

 Trek the Camino: The Itinerary

The RouteGoing through the hills of Galacia, this trip could be physically demanding and would require a reasonable level offitness. It takes one week to complete, walking approximately 21 kms per day and the trail is a combination of smallcountry roads, stone footpaths and well maintained compact dirt tracks with no steep climbs or treacherousdescents.It is strenuous enough to give a sense of achievement at the end of each day without being exhausted!

Day 1: SarriaDepart Dublin on direct flight to Santiago de Compostela. Transfer to accommodation in Sarria fordinner and overnight.

Day 2: Sarria – Portomarín (23 kms/6 hours)Enjoy a peaceful walk in shady oak woods, through pretty villages and on quiet country roads. Theroute takes you to the village of Barbadelo with its beautiful Romanesque Church of Santiago deBarbadelo. Cross the river Miño and enter the village of Portomarín. Try the local speciality – “Tarta deSantiago”. Dinner and overnight in Portomarín.

Day 3: Portomarín – Palas de Rei (23 kms/6 hours)Today’s walk goes by Monte San Antonio with the Torres river to the right. Pass small villages andgentle undulating countryside so typical of Galicia. From Hospital de la Cruz a 10 km. walk takes youthrough Eirexe, with its beautiful Romanesque church and Portos before arriving in Palas de Rei fordinner and overnight.

Day 4: Palas de Rei - Arzúa (28 kms/7 hours)The walk today is slightly downhill. Once again marvel at the fabulous Galician countryside, the charmingvillages and medieval churches before arriving in the bustling market town of Melide, a good place tostop for lunch. Follow the forest road, cross the streams and arrive in Boente with its church ofSantiago. Pass Ribadiso, a medieval village before arriving in Arzúa. Take the opportunity to see theSanta Maria and Magdalena churches and sample the cheese for which Arzúa is famous. Dinner andovernight in Arzúa.

Day 5: Arzúa – Rùa O Pino (18 kms/5 hours)The final sections of the walk take you through meadows, oak and eucalyptus trees and small villages.Take a moment to visit the chapel of Santa Irene with its fountains and unique statues of St James asyou near your final destination, Santiago de Compostela. Dinner and overnight in Rùa O Pino.

Day 6: Rùa O Pino – Santiago (18 kms/5 hours)Arriving in the municipality of Santiago, you reach the town of A Lavacolla. Here in former times pilgrimswould wash from head to toe in a little brook that runs through the area. Then approach the Monte doGozo, a small hillock from where you get your first glimpse of the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago.Finally you are on the home straight of the walk leading to the gates of the Cathedral. Dinner andovernight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 7: Santiago de CompostelaBreakfast and morning at leisure to explore Santiago. Attend the Pilgrims’ Mass in the Cathedral.Afternoon guided walking tour of the city. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 8: Santiago de CompostelaMorning at leisure, before transferring to airport for return flight home.

Fundraising

We are asking that all participants raise a minimum of €2,000 prior to departure (see key dates). OurFundraising Officer is on hand to assist you in every way possible. This target may seem a little dauntingat first, but with a little thought and determination, it is not such a difficult task.We will help you with the posters, permits, sponsorship cards, ideas and general publicity needed toachieve your goals. Begin with ideas that link with your interests and contacts, i.e. walking, cycling,swimming, poker etc, and look to organise two or three successful events that will get you to the goal.

Some Ideas….

Abseiling; Antique Fairs; Art Exhibitions; Astrology Evenings; Auctions; Athletic MeetingsBaby-sitting; Balloon Race; Barbeque; Barn Dance; Bazaars; Beard Shaving; Bike ToursBingo; Book Sale; Bridge Drive; Bring and Buy Sale; Bungee Jumping; Car Cleaning; CarRally; Carol Singing; Casino Night; Christmas Day Swim; Cinema premiere/charityscreening; Coffee Mornings; Concerts; Dance; Darts; Dinner Dance; Discos; Dog Show;Dress Down Day at Work; Easter Bonnet Competition; Exhibitions; Expeditions; FancyDress Ball; Fashion Show; Festivals; Film Show; Five-a-Side; Flower Show; Football MatchFortune Telling Gala Evening; Garden Party; Golf Tournament; Good as New Sale;Greyhound Meeting; Gymkhana; Halloween Party; Hill Walking; Individual Gifts; JumbleSale; Jamboree; Lawn Mowing; Luncheons; Lunch Runs at the Office; Marathons; MasqueBall; Mountain Climbing; Music Recitals; Payroll Deduction; Pet Show; Parachute Jumps;Plant Sale; Pub Quiz; Quizzes; Race Night; Races; Raffles; Rag Weeks; Sponsored Eventseg. -Slimming, Silence; Sleep-Out; Sports Day; Street Collections (Don't forget you need aGarda permit)Swimming Gala; Tea Party; Talent Competition; Tennis Tournament;Theatre Premiere or Gala Evening; Theme Evening; Tombola; Treasure Hunt; Treks; Tugo-War; Vegetable Sale; Veteran Car Rally; Walks; Whist Drive; Who Wants To Be AMillionaire?; Window cleaning; Wine Tasting; Wine & Cheese Party; World RecordBeating……..

Key Dates

Date Event Notes

On Booking Deposit of €250 on BookingTBC Balance to be paid14/09/2010 Leave for Spain Depart Dub 13.00Arrive Santiago 16.1021/09/2010 Return to Ireland Dep Santiago 16.45Arr Dub 17.55

Contact

Ciaran Cuddihy, Fundraising Officer, Ability West.Blackrock House, Salthill, Galwayciaran.cuddihy@abilitywest.ie087 672 9061www.abilitywest.ie

Ability West, Providing Services and Supports to People with Intellectual Disabilities.

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