Author Jennifer Andrewes, now based in Wellington, will embark on her fourth pilgrimage this Easter, trekking for two months across Spain alongside members of the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club.
Ms Andrewes began pilgrimage walking about three years ago, following a diagnosis of early onset Parkinson’s.
"At that time, my neurologist told me I might have about five able-bodied years to do things in," she said.
Research had found exercise could be helpful in slowing the progression.
She was inspired by others diagnosed with Parkinson’s who had reaped benefits from long-distance walking.
"People who do pilgrimage, they’re either at a point of change or challenge in their lives.
"They may be walking away from something or they’re walking towards something.
"It’s sort of a bit of an act of self-discovery."
She had been invited by a friend to join members of the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club on their trek across Spain next month.
The group had a trial run on Saturday, walking from Dunedin CBD to Port Chalmers and back again — a good opportunity to get to know each other, she said.
"We’re heading off to Spain at Easter and doing about a 1200km pilgrimage route from the very south of Spain ... to Santiago de Compostela.
"That’ll take about two months of walking."
Her latest book A Will and a Way will be released on Thursday and details her experience walking pilgrimage routes across Europe.
