Walking the Camino, planting sunflowers, creating hope for those who have lost loved ones to cancer
🌻 Walking the Portuguese Camino for Angé — A Journey of Love, Memory, and Sunflowers
On 7 July, I lace up my shoes and take the first step of a 35-day walk along the Portuguese Camino de Santiago — a journey that’s about far more than just distance. With every step I take, and at every stop along the way, I’ll be planting sunflower seeds in memory of Angé, my beloved partner, and in honor of all those we have lost to cancer.
This walk is my tribute. A way of turning grief into growth, sorrow into sunflowers, and solitude into shared purpose. And as I move along the ancient paths, I invite you to walk with me in spirit, to follow the journey, and to plant your own sunflower of remembrance.
From Lisbon: The First Steps of Reflection
The journey begins in Lisbon, the vibrant capital of Portugal. Narrow cobbled streets, azulejo-tiled houses, and the soulful sounds of fado will mark my first steps. Here, beneath the shadow of the iconic Torre de Belém, I’ll pause to plant my first sunflower — a symbol of beginnings, hope, and courage.
Walking out of the city, the mighty Tagus River will guide me inland, its waters a reminder of life’s constant flow. The modern blends with the ancient, and I’ll leave behind the city’s hum for the quiet of smaller villages.
Through Santarém: Sunflowers Among Olive Groves
As the days unfold, I’ll pass through Santarém, a city that stands high on a hill, watching over the Tagus valley. Known as the Gothic capital of Portugal, it’s a place of ancient churches and timeless views. Here, I’ll plant more sunflowers at the foot of centuries-old walls — a gesture that bridges the past and present.
The path winds through olive groves and vineyards, where the air is rich with the scent of earth and sun-warmed fruit. Each morning, I’ll walk under a rising sun, imagining Angé’s warm smile in the golden light.
Coimbra and Porto: Cities of Soul and Song
Further north, the Camino brings me to Coimbra, the city of students, poets, and riverside beauty. The University of Coimbra stands tall above the town, its library a treasure of knowledge. I’ll stop to plant sunflowers by the Mondego River, letting the gentle current carry my thoughts of Angé onward.
Then comes Porto, where the Camino meets the sea. The city’s steep streets, colorful houses, and the famous Dom Luís I Bridge will be my backdrop. Here, at the mouth of the Douro River, I’ll plant more seeds — sunflowers that will turn, I hope, toward the Atlantic breeze as they grow.
Porto is a city of resilience, rebuilt time and again through history’s storms — a perfect place to reflect on Angé’s strength and the strength of all those who fight, love, and endure.
The Coastal Way: Sand, Sea, and Silence
From Porto, I’ll follow the Camino da Costa, the coastal route, where the sound of waves will keep me company. Fishing villages, endless beaches, and ocean cliffs will frame my steps. Towns like Viana do Castelo, with its grand basilica overlooking the Atlantic, will offer moments of peace and perspective.
I’ll plant sunflowers in sandy soil near the sea, hoping the breeze scatters their seeds far and wide. Each planting will feel like sending a message of love across the waves — to Angé, and to all who need it.
Into Spain: The Final Stretch
Crossing into Spain, I’ll pass through A Guarda, where the Camino hugs the coast, and through the Galician heartland, where green hills roll gently under wide skies.
Pontevedra and Padron will mark my final days on the path. These towns, with their quiet squares and ancient stone churches, will remind me that this journey is not just mine — it’s part of a much older, shared pilgrimage of hope and remembrance.
And at last, Santiago de Compostela, with its towering cathedral, will welcome me at journey’s end. I’ll plant my final sunflower here, in a city that has seen countless pilgrims arrive, weary but full of purpose.
Walking Together
Throughout this journey, I’ll share my progress, reflections, and photos on the blog and on Facebook. I hope you’ll walk with me in spirit:
👉 Follow along at angeforsunflowers.com/blog
👉 Plant a sunflower of your own, wherever you are. Share your photo. Tell your story. Together, let’s fill the world with sunflowers for those we remember and those we love.
Every step I take is for Angé. Every sunflower I plant is for all of us. Thank you for being part of this journey.
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