The Mini Me Bear Chronicles202. Originally in this edition of The MMB Chronicles I was going to write about my adventures with the little bear. However, as I write this article MMB is on an overseas adventure with a mission to raise donations to the ‘Shake it Up Foundation’ and I think it more opportune to impart his current story as you may also wish to contribute. After sharing my home with MMB during covid it was time to let the little guy move onto the next adventure. The decision of who to pass the MMB baton to was not a hard one. Maryanne and Hank Tigges, both of Central Highlands Branch were in training to undertake the Spanish Camino de Santiago pilgrimage Way of St James. This journey by the trio is a personal one both to share the experience of the Camino and to raise important funds for Parkinson’s Disease research. A little about “the Camino” to put the epic journey into perspective. Its history has an ancient beginning in medieval times as a pilgrimage of faith, to now a contemporary journey that is not limited as a journey of religion but popular with hikers as the number one bucket list item, and those searching for peace and clarity. There are various routes leading to the central destination of the Shrine of the Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia and can cover 800 km, usually taking 30 days of walking to complete. During this time the pilgrim carries only meagre essentials, relying on low-budget hospitality in auberges, living, eating, and walking with people on their own personal quests. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its history of bringing people from all over the world together in harmony. Their preparation had its hiccups, especially when Hank was training on their bush block slipped and broke his leg in two places. Maryanne continued with her training, and as Hank’s carer, she ensured he did not do anything silly while he was rehabilitating. One method in the early days was to confiscate his crutches. There was no way they were going to miss out on this pilgrimage. Once a date was set for them to head off, we arranged for the handover of MMB at the Victorian Breakfast Club meeting at Euroa in February. I was amazed at how it felt, like I was setting free a loved
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