2018NCBI CaminoTheThe NCBI Camino Way2018

Walk the Camino this September and help raise vital funds for thousands of people with sight loss.

8th-15th September

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CallsThe NCBI Camino Way 2018Join NCBI for our first ever 100km sponsored walk along the famous Camino de Santiago this September and help raise vital funds for thousands of people with sight loss.

• When: Saturday 8th September – Saturday 15th September• Where: Last 100km of the Camino de Santiago - French Way• Trip Costs: €1,900 - initial deposit of €250 required to secure a place

OverviewOn the NCBI Camino Way, you will walk the last 100km along the French Way of this ancient pilgrim route to arrive in the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela in North West Spain. Your Camino passport will be stamped along the way and you will receive your coveted Compostela, or Certificate, on the final day.

Whether you are looking to complete a personal spiritual journey or would like to take part for a healthy challenge or just the social aspect, this bucket-list trip will meet your needs while also helping to raise much-needed funds for NCBI’s vital services to people with sight loss.

Walking the Camino is not difficult – most of the stages are fairly flat on good paths, with our longest walk of 25km early in the week. All abilities are welcome. If you need a guide to walk with or indeed would like to be a guide for someone who is blind or vision impaired, just get in touch! You will have your own Camino coordinator and NCBI rep who will walk with the group from start to finish.

About NCBINCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) is Ireland’s national charity working for the rising number of people affected by sight loss. Our practical and emotional advice and supports help 8,000 people and their families face their futures with confidence every year.

At NCBI we are passionate about ensuring that anyone affected by sight loss is given the support and tools they need to live life to the full. Through our rehabilitation training, community supports, counselling services, technology provisions and library services we tackle the isolation that is often experienced by people with sight loss.

As a charity, NCBI must raise €3 million annually just to keep operating at our current levels.

That equates to €4 out of every €10 we spend on vital services.

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CallsWhat’s included• Airport transfers both ways• Authentic accommodation – 2 – 3 star hotels with en-suite bathrooms• Luggage transfer; 1 piece per person 15kg – from hotel to hotel• 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners• Holiday pack with walking notes, maps and pilgrim passport• 24/7 support number • Experienced bilingual tour guide (Spanish/English)

The TeamYou will be accompanied by Collette McEntee of NCBI and we will join Follow the Camino for the trip, along with other charity groups. Routes are organised and supervised by a professionally trained guide.

Trip Itinerary• Saturday 8th - Fly Dublin to Santiago and transfer by coach to Sarria• Sunday 9th - Walk from Sarria to Portomarín (22km)• Monday 10th - Walk from Portomarín to Palas de Rei (25km)• Tuesday 11th - Walk from Palas de Rei to Melide (14km +100m -250m)• Wednesday 12th - Walk from Melide to Arzúa (13km)• Thursday 13th - Walk from Arzúa to Rua (18km)• Friday 14th - Walk from Rua to Santiago de Compostela (21km)• Saturday 15th - Morning free transfer to Santiago Airport mid afternoon

You will arrive on Day 1 to meet your guide, rest and prepare for the beginning of your walk on Day 2 where you will begin at Sarria Portomaria. You will be presented with your Credential Document, issued by the Cathedral of Santiago and throughout the course of the next five days you will collect the required stamps as you walk the route under the guidance of your coordinator, stopping only at your accommodation along the way. We will also ensure your luggage is transferred from stop to stop each day for you.

Sarria

Portomarín

Palas de ReyMelide

ArzúaRúa Santiago de Compostela

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CallsGet Active and Raise Awareness, Get Fit and Raise Funds Each day we will walk an average of 20km, with a break for light lunch in the cafes and restaurants that line the trail. And in the evenings, share meals with the new friends you make in our group while enjoying home-cooked meals in the two and three star hotels that have been carefully selected. On the final day walking, we arrive into Santiago around mid-day.

DAY 1 Sarria Start of your journey. Arrival in Sarria. Time to visit Sarria and first evening meal in the hotel

DAY 2 Sarria to Portomarin (6h, 22km)Expect a peaceful walk in shady oak woods, pretty villages and on quiet country roads. The village of Barbedelo (580m) has a beautiful Romanesque church that is worth a visit. The next significant village is Ferreiros. When you arrive in Portomarin (550m), you can chill out on one of the numerous terraces of the main plaza.

DAY 3 Portomarín to Palas de Rei (6h15, 25km)From the village, the Camino crosses the river Minho and climbs steadily uphill. On your way, you will be crossing Gonzar and passing the Romanesque Church of Santa María, Castromaior. The calm of the Galician Cemetery in Ligonde on a sunny day is a rest in itself. In Eirexe, the Romanesque portal of the church is a beauty and features a sculpture of Daniel and animals, as well as Santiago de Peregrino inside. You will then arrive in Palas de Rei (565m).

DAY 4 Palace de Rei to Melide (3h30, 14km +100m -250m) Today, the Camino continues slightly downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the charming village of Leboreiro. At Melide (454m), stop in one of the many restaurants to try some local specialties. Melide is known for ‘Pulpo á Feira’, boiled octopus. So be sure to sample this local delicacy.

DAY 5 – Melide to Arzua (3h, 13km)The Camino today will follow a forest track and cross several streams bringing you to the village of Boente with its church of Santiago. Then the medieval village of Ribadiso, and finally Arzùa (389m). This small town has 2 churches that you can visit, Santa María and La Magdalena.

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CallsDay 6 - Arzùa to Rùa (5h15, 18km)This shaded section of the Camino will pass through woods, along streams and through sleepy villages. Take your time and visit the chapel of Santa Irena, with its unique statues of Santiago. The rest of the way to Rua/Opino is on a good and quiet country road. Rua (310m) is one of the less crowded stopping points before Santiago de Compostela.

DAY 7 - Rua to Santiago de Compostela (5h20, 21km)The next stage will be Lavacolla where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago de Compostela. The tall eucalyptus trees line your way to Monte del Gozo (368m). From the “Mount of Joy” you can see your goal - the Cathedral of Santiago! After a descent to the city (264m, population 80000) you will be able to witness this UNESCO World Heritage Site up-close. Marvel at the architecture and relish the wonderful atmosphere in this cultural and spiritual mecca. There will be some spare time to wander around the old town and attend the spectacle of the Pilgrim’s Mass at the Cathedral of St James and the other heritage sites at the end goal of the Camino Way.

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CallsWhat to bringEquipment/Non-clothing• Backpack/Bag/Suitcase• Day Pack (like a smaller backpack for carrying stuff )• Torch• European plug converter• Camera• Passport/ID card• Pocket Cash• Water bottle• Compede - blister plasters. • Towel, fast drying recommended• Earplugs

Clothing• Non-chafing walking wear: combat style shorts not recommended. Sports leggings or shorts• Long trousers are helpful for chilly evenings• Comfortable broken‐in walking shoes• Second pair of comfortable shoes (optional)• Flip‐flops/sandals• Hoody/fleece for cold weather (the nights are chilly!)• Poncho/Raincoat• Quality walking socks: avoid cotton at all cost! fine wool is best, but expensive. Synthetic

materials are equally as good• Hat• Swimsuit

Toiletries• Sun Cream - high factor for your face

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CallsHow do I sign up?Costs and fundraising targetThe total cost of the trip is €1,900 (inclusive of booking deposit). Of this, €1,000 goes directly to NCBI.

A €250 deposit is payable at the time of booking to guarantee your place.

RegistrationRegister your interest today! Email collette.mcentee@ncbi.ie or phone 01 882 1970 for more information.

Information eveningWe will hold an information evening in March to give you a chance to find out more about the trip, meet fellow participants, ask questions and to get ideas for fundraising to meet your target.

ContactFeel free to get in touch with us for more information and to sign up:

collette.mcentee@ncbi.ie / 01 882 1970

Terms and Conditions• A deposit of €250 is payable to NCBI.• Your place will not be confirmed until the deposit is paid.• Single rooms are available on request for a supplement but numbers are limited.• All funds raised should be payable to NCBI and lodged by the dates outlined prior to

departure.• If you are unable to meet the sponsorship requirements you will forfeit your place on the trip.• NCBI is not responsible for organising the trip. Terms and conditions regarding the trip are

between the participant and the tour operator.• A full list of terms and conditions is available on our website.

Where your money goesBy joining us on the NCBI Camino Way this September, you will be supporting our work with 8,000 people who are blind or vision impaired and helping them to fulfil their vision.

At NCBI we are passionate about ensuring that anyone affected by sight loss is given the support, tools and technology they need to live life to the full. Through our rehabilitation training, community supports, counselling services, technology provisions and library services we tackle the isolation that is often experienced by people with sight loss - bringing them back into society, and ensuring they can realise their potential.

Children’s WorkshopsIn 2018 we will deliver 21 workshops for children and young people, aimed at building their independence and the skills they need to thrive in school, college and beyond. In the last year we have experienced a 30% increase in referrals of children aged 0-17 years.

IT SkillsLast year our staff delivered over 2,500 IT training sessions nationwide, helping people to either maximise their vision through the use of magnification software, or to use speech software to continue to use computers, read and get online.

Living IndependentlySight loss affects every area of a person’s life. The loss of independence has a huge impact and all of NCBI’s services are aimed at helping people to regain their independence. We give people the skills and equipment they need to manage at home and to get out and about independently and safely. Just over 1,500 sessions of independent living skills were provided last year.

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