Jodie recently returned home after conquering the world famous trail known as the Camino de Santiago or The Way of St James - an ancient pilgrimage path that has been walked for more than 1000 years.

The walk begins in France’s Basque region, passing mountainous landscapes, farmlands and vineyards, to the foothills of the Pyrenees right across to the top of Spain before ending in Santiago de Compostela.

Jodie said the trip was a constant feast for the senses, from changing landscapes, to exceptional food and friendly faces in small villages.  

“Each day was rewarding. The landscapes are beautiful and just the people – they were so wonderful,” she said of the French and Spanish locals. 

Jodie says her favourite country was France – for its good food, its people and because in a lot of ways it is still very much untouched. 

“Parts of France were mountain paths and quite often villages and people were few and far between. You could often walk all day and see nothing,” she said.

“Outside of Paris and all the tourism, French people were always very curious, they always wanted to talk to me. They would come after me and tell me if I was going the wrong way. 

“French people have so much pride in their homes, their gardens and their food. I met some amazing people.” 

Leading up to the trip, Jodie says she walked for a couple of hours a day but feels nothing could have entirely prepared her physically and emotionally for the Camino.   

“I remember walking six hours in the pouring rain through mud and forest. It was just horrific. When I got to the end there was no heating – that day was an awful day. Then some days you’d get up and be really excited to get up,” she said. 

“The whole trip was like a bubble of life – good days and bad days – you learn that you have to persist and then you’ll find the strength to do it.” 

One of the main reasons  Jodie embarked on the pilgrimage was to raise money for cancer research. She says the thought of fundraising often kept her going especially on her off days. 

“I really wanted to do something other than just a party. I wanted to raise money for cancer research and I raised $3,127 which will go to the cancer research foundation,” she said. 

Jodie  says she would definitely recommend the trip to others but perhaps in a shorter period of time. 

“After two months you start to really wear out. Most of the time I took a day off in between to explore and relax. It’s extremely hard in the timeframe I did it in but it’s worth it. 

“I’d probably recommend to do it in a shorter period of time."