A WIDOW from Stourbridge is embarking on the hike of a lifetime, in honour of her late husband.
Jan Drew and her husband, Brian, have always been keen hikers, having explore the likes of Ecuador, Canada and the Himalayas together throughout their 65-year marriage.
It was the couple’s dream to adventure though the Galicia area in Spain to hike the final stretch of the Camino Portugues.
However, Brian’s death during the Covid pandemic meant he would never get to make that dream a reality.
This week, accompanied by her granddaughter, Chloe, and Chloe’s partner, Simon, 84-year-old Jan is set to complete the mammoth 116km hike in Brian’s memory.
She said: “We had always planned on doing this.
“We were on holiday in Spain one year and drove past all these people walking over the mountains and Bri said ‘we’ll do that one day’.
“My granddaughter recently asked me ‘is there anything you and grandad would have done if you had the chance?’ and I said this.
“I’ll be carrying his ashes with me throughout the journey, so he’ll be with us in that way.
“He’s with me everywhere.”
The pilgrimage will see the trio pass through beautiful towns and villages including Tui, O Porriño, Redondela, Arcade, Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis, Padrón, and finally, the Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela.
As well as making hers and Brian’s dream a reality, Jan will also be raising vital funds for Mary Stevens Hospice.
“He was in palliative car for years before he died,” said Jan. “My Bri would have loved to have been in Mary Stevens.
“Before even stepping one foot along the way, we were at £3,200, which is amazing.
“I’m determined to reach £4,000.”
Jan set off on Monday (September 22) and hopes to reach the cathedral in eight or nine days.
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