Made it .... and a day early!

Woke up to what should have been my penultimate day of walking and very pleasantly surprised to see if wasn't raining despite horrible forecast for that area. – apparently “Ciclon Humberto" had some gripe with the area.

 Another very enjoyable meal time chatting – if make friends then try and hang on to them – this time though with lots of coffee flowing and then on way.

 You can’t always explain why can you, but with some people you really hit it off, and so rather than setting off alone as usual and at actually a quite reasonable pace for an old ‘un I ambled along for some 5 or 6 km with the "Unlikely Pilgrim" double act.

 Most of the time I walked with Javier - for that was his name, and hip and leg issues meant he walked very slowly and hoovered pain killers - whilst Felicia, his partner, followed on singing and waving her hands about like the luvvie she was. Noabout and a couple of hours of my life I will remember with fondness for ever. I left them at a cafe where Javier was forced to stop, saying goodbye reluctantly after a coffee to celebrate his birthday which was today.

The countryside became more wooded than previously and with many more varieties of trees

most of which I can’t name and some with beautifully shaped trunks ...

Can name one though, the eucalyptus, not indigenous having been introduced by the Romans but planted heavily since the mid 90’s in a controversial attempt to increase timber production and raise local communities’ prosperity. Apparently large companies now keep profits up and prices down. Seem familiar... I’ve walked through mile upon mile of them.

 I was making really good time, so much so that I reached my planned overnight stop at O Pedrouza just after lunch. A decision then, kill time there with a lay down and no doubt an Estrella, or push on the final 20 km and then allow myself a whole day off tomorrow.

 As the predicted storm hadn’t materialised I made the decision to carry on to Santiago.

Right decision I think now as I write this warm and dry but .... that storm, or the tail end of it did come and my world shrank to heavy breathing and rain dripping of my nose.


Eased off a bit later but kept making its presence felt then all the way to Santiago and as the day went on a bit of doubt began to creep in about the wisdom of trying to cut out a day.

However, because I was walking later than most pilgrims - and given the weather sensible ones would have retired to various hostelries – it became a much quieter and a very personal Camino.

 Lots of stuff still to see,

more grain stores and wonderful water fountains.




This won’t have any significance to other than my 2 daughters

but I bet this dad enjoys flying his kid's kites too!

As I got closer to Santiago the way signs change ...

some more elaborate

Some simpler...

     all though very welcome as they counted down the miles, or kilometres I suppose.

Not perhaps as welcome as this sign ..

   under 10 miles to go!

As I got to the outskirts of Santiago the going got a bit gruelling, hard pavement and traffic

  

Know the feeling mate ...

But then my first glimpse of the Cathedral and a new gear engaged 

though made a note of this place

 Bet I wouldn't have needed that truncheon if these guys still around, Knights Templar, protectors of Pilgrims

BUT,     A few more yards and .......

Made it, and a bit chuffed   .....

A day early, 115km, lots of wonderful memories, a few aches and a couple of bisters!

Another  dream realised. 

If you've  travelled with me, thank you for your company. A day of rest then off back to Sarria to pick up my bike!

Then,  the End of The World,  watch this space!