WALK FOR CHROMOSOME 6: October 2019

Saturday 19 October 2019

2 weeks since arriving at Santiago de Compostela

If you have not seen it yet, please go back to the previous blog and have a look at the video made by Suzanne and Aafke. Every time I look at it, it makes me feel so happy!
What also makes me happy is looking at the counter at the right side of this web page. Haven't we been able to raise an incredible amount of money? And more importantly, we raised awareness about rare chromosome disorders and how difficult it is for parents not knowing what the future will hold for their child.

It has now been 2 weeks since I arrived in Santiago de Compostela after a long and impressive walk of 1200 km dedicted to the chromosome 6 project. Full of valuable memories from the beginning to the end ...

faithful companions

I have now been home and working for 2 weeks. Again completely immersed in the "normal" life with its ups and downs, just as the camino has had its ups and downs (but above all a lot of ups).

welcome back to work

What remains are the memories, the photos (lots of photos) and my blog. And of course my full stamp cards (credencials) and Compostela (certificate).

many stamps

My compostela

The beautiful videos that Suzanne and Aafke have made have also become wonderful memories. Just like the departure and arrival videos from Pauline. Thank you all very much for that!

How much did I enjoy my 1200 km walk, my Camino! Nature, culture, meetings, conversations, simply being on the road ...
It is actually impossible to explain. It was a fantastic experience.

A final thank you to everyone who has walked with me, in person or virtually by reading this blog. A thank you to my fellow camino-goers who listened to me, gave tips, shared their stories with me or with whom I laughed. Especially a thank you to those who have shared my sponsorship with friends and family (in many languages).

a very nice message of Alessandro, a medical student whom I met on the camino

A thank you to all hospitaleros and volunteers, their welcome was often heartwarming. A thank you for the behind-the-scenes sponsor team. And of course a huge thank you to all sponsors who make miracles happen. A very sincere thank you to my boss, who gave me a sabbatical. And finally a sweet thank you to my husband, who gave me the space and encouragement to go.

Do you want to support Professor Conny during her 1200 kilometre walk for Chromosome 6?

Read more: chromosome6.org/walkforchromosome6

Donate options
JustGiving
PayPal
Geef.nl
Tikkie (Dutch only)

Direct bank transfer:
Bank account: NL21 ABNA 0423 1266 95
In the name of: Stichting Steunfonds UMCG
Reference: 4950351 Chromosome6
SWIFT-BIC code: ABNANL2A (for international transfers)

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Friday 18 October 2019

Video: last 400 km to Santiago

In the video below you can watch an overview of the last 400 kilometres of Professor Conny's walk to Santiago de Compostela.

You can still show your support to Professor Conny for her 1200 kilometre walk for Chromosome 6. Please make a donation via one of the options below.

Read more: chromosome6.org/walkforchromosome6

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Monday 7 October 2019

Arrival Santiago - Amsterdam

A video of Professor Conny's arrival at Schiphol airport Amsterdam.

Thank you Pauline, for making this wonderful video!

Do you want to support Professor Conny during her 1200 kilometre walk for Chromosome 6?

Read more: chromosome6.org/walkforchromosome6

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Saturday 5 October 2019

4 oct 2019, day 61: Pedrouzo - Santiago de Compostela, 21 km (1208 km)

Meanwhile, it is October 5th and I am sitting on a terrace in Santiago. Everyone knows through Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter that I completed my Camino yesterday. A joyful but also very emotional moment.

Back to yesterday. Christiane, a pelgrim from Germany, and I agreed to walk together so that we could take pictures of each other and share our impressions. We are both awake early and, contrary to our principles, we start walking in the dark after a breakfast in one of the many bars in Pedrouzo. Just like the previous day, we follow an unpaved path that goes up and down through a forest.

In Labacolla we cross the rio Sionlla, where the pilgrims used to wash themselves before they entered Santiago.

After Villamaior we climb the Monte de Gozo and arrive at a work of art along the route.

For the pilgrims monument we have to get off the route to the top of the Monte de Gozo (mountain of joy). There are two bronze pilgrims who see the cathedral of Santiago del Compostela in the distance.

We descend the Monte de Gozo and then quickly reach the entrance to the city. After about 3 km we are in the old city. We walk under the gate with Galician bagpipe player and than we are on the Obradoire plaza.

When I turn around I stand eye to eye with the magnificent cathedral.

Then I walk to the seminary menor where I have my own cell with wash stand. I quickly freshen up and go back to the cathedral, because I want to "hug" the apostle and see his relics before I collect my Compostela (official document stating that I have done the Camino). Fortunately, there is a short queue in the incredibly imposing cathedral, even now that the entire interior is under construction. I put my hand on the statue, kneel in front of the relics and this pilgrim has earned her Compostela.
When it's my turn, I hand over my 4 full credencials (pilgrim's passports, a sort of stamp cards) and the overview of the route I have walked. I get my personal Compostela and distance proof: 3145 km from the Sint Jacob church in Uithuizen to the Santiago cathedral in Compostela. Of these 3145 km I dedicated the last 1200 km to rare chromosome disorders in order to create awareness and to raise money for a project that aims to get more information available for parents through a sophisticated interactive self-learning system.
This pilgrim is now incredibly proud.

We go back to the square in front of the cathedral where the sun is beautiful now. I make many pictures again.

You can still support the project and all families world-wide with a child with a rare chromosome disorder. THANK YOU !

professor Conny

Do you want to support Professor Conny during her 1200 kilometre walk for Chromosome 6?

Read more: chromosome6.org/walkforchromosome6

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Thursday 3 October 2019

Oct 3, 2019, day 60: Arzua - Pedrouzo, 21 km (1187 km)

Everyone says that the way is more important than the goal. But why do people get up at 5 am when you can't see the way until 8:30 am? Like every morning, I stay in bed until 7 am. All other beds are already empty so I can immediately switch on the light and do not have to fiddle in the dark. As soon as I'm ready, I walk to a bar for my breakfast. It is cold and foggy.

Slowly but surely the fog disappears.

The route is largely unpaved and runs alternately through woods and more open areas. Occasionally there is some climbing and descending.

There are many more bars along the route here. At one of them I meet Thygge, Cindy and Matt. A warm welcome, we all feel lost among so many new pilgrims, now our Camino del Norte (coastal route), has joined the much busier Camino Frances (inland route). There are also many picnic areas, which is of course very pleasant.

It a pleasant walk today, but constantly among other pilgrims. With some I walk together for a while and have a chat, such as with a medicine student from Naples, two doctors from the US, and a father and daughter from the US.

I arrive in Pedrouzo, my destination for today, early in the afternoon.
About 19 km tomorrow and then I'll be in Santiago!

Do you want to support Professor Conny during her 1200 kilometre walk for Chromosome 6?

Read more: chromosome6.org/walkforchromosome6

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Wednesday 2 October 2019

Oct 2, 2019, day 59: Sobrado dos Monxes - Arzua, 22 km (1166 km)

Today I have walked the last stage on the Camino del Norte. In Arzua this Camino joins the Camino Frances. Therefor, I decide to walk alone today, as I have done most days. Walking alone gives me more space to look around and take pictures. I want to fully enjoy the peace today.
I climb out of Arzua and soon see the huge monastery behind me.

After that I follow unpaved paths for a while, partly through forest and partly through rural areas.

After 8 km I drink coffee in a bar together with some other pilgrims. Gradually everyone continues at their own pace.
From now on it is only paved, largely on quiet roads. Beautiful views over rolling fields and meadows.

I take a second break at the Maria of Sedelle church.

I continue to follow quiet roads and get a last climb up to Arzua.

As expected, I see a lot of pilgrims in Arzua. I have reserved a smaller private albergue and it looks great. I der many new faces and soon I have spoken to several pilgrims. It is nice to hear their stories.
Only two days of walking left. The day after tomorrow I will arrive in Santiago!

Hasta manana, professor Conny

Do you want to support Professor Conny during her 1200 kilometre walk for Chromosome 6?

Read more: chromosome6.org/walkforchromosome6

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Tuesday 1 October 2019

Oct 1, 2019, day 58: A Roxica - Sobrado dos Monxes, 15 km (1144 km)

Today I walked a short stage because I want to visit the monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes. From A Roxica I start climbing immediately. I walk through open countryside and have beautiful views all the time.

I reach the highest point of the Camino del Norte and take a picture of the sun's rays coming through the clouds.

I enjoy the views and beautiful old paths.

I reach Lake Sobrado and eventually Sobrado dos Monxes.

The monastery is unfortunately under construction.
The guest priest is a cheerful man who likes to talk. I get a stamp and can look around on my own (see photos). Unfortunately not in the monastery church where people are working on the reconstruction. I can attend the vespers tonight in the monastery chapel.

Tomorrow will be my last day on the Camino del Norte. At Arzua this Camino will join the Camino Frances. That means that I will be surounded by many more pilgrims. Friday I will arrive in Santiago de Compostela.

Do you want to support Professor Conny during her 1200 kilometre walk for Chromosome 6?

Read more: chromosome6.org/walkforchromosome6

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Sept 30, 2019, day 57: Baamonde - A Roxica, 26 km (1129 km)

Yesterday I did not have wifi. Therefor a belated blog post.

I slept well until 7 o'clock and I was one of the last ones leaving the albergue.
Peter from the US and I are walking together today. We start immediately with a new alternative route, which means we don't have to walk 4 km along the road, but a little longer through a beautiful forest.

We pass an old bridge and then the chapel of Sint Albert.

A short distance later their is another point were the route splits. We opt for the longer but nicer route that will take us to Sobrado dos Monxes tomorrow.
We walk through beautiful forest almost all day, occasionally passing a hamlet. We climb more than we descend. There are also many beautiful old walls along the roads, most of which are unpaved.

In Seixon is an artist who gives a nice stamp and a real wax seal in my credencial.

At the only bar along the route, which is closed on Mondays, we pause with a number of other pilgrims. Furtonately there are chairs on the terrass. The rest of the day, we do not see other pilgrims.
After passing the tower of Mariz we climb to a beautiful plateau and enjoy the views.

We are both happy when we are at casa Roxica, a small private albergue with 10 beds at a farm.

It was a tough trip, but it remained dry all day despite the dark skies.

Do you want to support Professor Conny during her 1200 kilometre walk for Chromosome 6?

Read more: chromosome6.org/walkforchromosome6

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