MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A handful of locals will embark on the 994 km journey of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela this month.
The best part is, that none of them are under 60.
For three of them it will be for the first time and two for a fourth and a sixth time respectively.
At their send-off dinner hosted at New Life Church in Heiderand this week, Sheila Wrigley, Retha Nel, Joyce Noel and husband and wife, Clem and Ethel Nel, shared their reasons, expectations and some experiences with a group of friends and supporters who helped them on their journey of preparation. Retha Nel, who retired from nursing last month, was absent from the dinner.
'I want to pray'
Sheila Wrigley says that there are many reasons for taking on the Camino, as it is commonly referred to. "Some people do it as a challenge, others for spiritual reasons. Some for physical exercise."
Sheila's interest in the Camino was sparked when she joined the Hartenbos parkrun. Her husband was ill at the time and couldn't participate as actively as she intended, but she enjoyed the walk.
Avid parkrunners and fellow church members, Clem Nel and Ron Bryant, on their joint walks, shared their intriguing stories about the Camino, sparking Sheila's interest. "Both the parkrun and the stories of the Camino really helped me at that time. Because during that hour, I was transported to a place I didn't know."
After her husband's passing, Sheila became closer friends with Clem and his wife, who both embarked on the Camino several times.
Nearly two years ago, the Mossel Bay Advertiser in April 2017, reported on Ethel Nel's miraculous recovery from a life threatening illness, as well as her wish to walk the Camino again in 2019 (Conquering challenges by grace alone, 7 April 2017).
Before long Sheila found herself agreeing to join the Nels on their Camino 2019. "There were many times that I got cold feet about my decision. But always, amidst facing the problems standing in my way, I strongly felt the Lord's presence with me. Every problem I encountered, was solved by the Lord.
Sheila says she is going to pray. "I want to pray. I want to kneel down and pray. I want to rise and pray. I want to stand on the hill tops and pray."
'Absolutely magical'
Ethel Nel is thrilled to see her dream come to fruition, embarking on the Camino with her husband, as planned. She teases Sheila about the weight comparison of their backpacks.
"The first few days are hard and painful. But that subsides, and then your mind starts playing its tricks on you. You can be fit as anything, but your mind... You find yourself asking 'what and why am I doing this?' It often carries on for a week."
Ethel, who completed a book this year on her life of miraculous healing, is looking forward to the solitude of the journey.
"Pilgrims seldom walk in a group. You see a pilgrim here and there." She described the end of the journey, the arrival in Santiago as "absolutely magical". Joyce Noel, also involved with the parkrun says, when she heard of the Camino she thought "this sounds like fun". "I am grateful for this opportunity. I know it is going to be quite a challenge for me, but there are people with me who I know will help me along."
Clem Nel handled all the attention with a quietness reserved for those with the most experience. "I have embarked on five Caminos and completed three. I know what to expect," he concluded with a knowing smile.
• Follow the pilgrim on their facebook page - Camino Mossel Bay Group South Africa. Read Ethel Nel's story at https://www.mosselbayadvertiser.com/News/Article/General/conquering-challenges-by-grace-alone-20170711
All excited about the journey to Spain. Joyce Noel, Sheila Wrigley and Ethel and Clem Nel are ready for their pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.Photo: Cornelle Carstens
All excited about the journey to Spain. Joyce Noel, Sheila Jones and Ethel and Clem Nel are ready for their pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.Photo: Cornelle Carstens
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
