Day # 36 June 26 Pedrouzo to Santiago(20k)

Day # 36 June 26 Pedrouzo to Santiago(20k)

 

This is the day! Santiago here we go!

I must admit to being quite excited at finishing, It has been a great experience & a half marathon a day for the last 33 - days is not too shabby!

We made an early start, perhaps our earliest ever! Frances took the advice of someone, not sure who, who said "Start like an old man & finish like a lion." She was on fire this morning, at times I could hardly keep up! Even the hills were not an issue. We made great time all the way & reached Santiago de Compostela around 1:00 pm . We were a little tired so a nap was in order. After a short siesta & a shower we went to explore Santiago. This is a magnificent city and I suspect we will be back.There is too much to see in a couple of days and because so many of the peregrinos we walked with arrived at the same time the place became party central, a real "happening". We met everyone throughout the day and an impromptu dinner ensued, We ''took over" the upper floor of a pub and the craic was 90. With no curfew in place we got to bed very late... after 12:00am. We decided to get our Compostela first thing in the morning. We were outside the office at about 7:30 and met Greg & Sorren . We got our Compostelas and had a great breakfast. After we went to get a special compostela honoring Francis of Assisi. Then we went to the cathedral to see the swinging of the big "whats it"

This could be my last blog for a while but I will do a compilation of my favourite moments, limericks & photos of the Camino. I have received some limericks from other Peregrinos and hope to put together some sort of "book" which will include anecdotes, limericks & photos of my Camino called "limericks to Camino by". This not guaranteed to be accurate & may actually contain exaggerated versions of the truth Let me  know if you have a favourite moment or memory which deserves a mention. You could send details to jog my memory

This is not over yet- there's still tonight. Who knows what limerick fodder that will provide.

In the meantime I have met an amazing "bunch" of people with whom I hope to remain "in touch"  in the future. Thank you to each & everyone for making this, my first (and last) Camino so memorable.

Day # 35 June 25 Ribadiso to Pedrouzo(23K)

Day # 35  June 25 Ribadiso to Pedrouzo(23K)

Today was dominated by the fact that tomorrow is our last walk. I have mixed feelings about that. On the one hand I've enjoyed having so much time with Frances & not having the daily "worries" that come with simply "living". Of course we now go to Ireland for a time with Eileen & Kees & Frank & Mark. We first have to get a flight which is proving to be a challenge but we'll figure it out. We had a nice dinner tonight with Scott Kevin, Henry, 1Heather & Paul...always good fun. We hope to get an early start tomorrow & finish before 2pm. We will stay 2 nights in Santiago. We hope to leave from Porto in Portugal on Saturday and arrive in Ireland around 9pm (we think) but the air controllers strike in France may interfere. We are waiting for confirmation of our flight.

The dominant feature of today's was the huge numbers of pereginos who started in Sarria. There seemed to be 20-30 walkers close by at all times. It created a completely different atmosphere & I'm not sure I enjoyed it. I will be glad to finish tomorrow. Lots to see along the way but I have become a little complacent about the fabulous scenery. I hope you enjoy the photos & the limericks.

Before I finish tonight I have to say how much stronger Frances has become... some serious hills today were managed with NO stops, amazing!

 

Some limericks
 

Don't do the Camino With an ex

One or Other is likely to vex

Enjoy what you can

Whether woman or man

It's 800k with no sex

 

I like a small Baileys at night

With my sweetheart that's Frances; all right?

As we stumble home

I might write a poem

On someone's misfortune or plight

Day # 34 June 24 Palas de Rei to Ribadiso (25.8K)

Day # 34  June 24 Palas de Rei  to Ribadiso(25K)

 
It is an strange feeling to discover that had there been a fire in the hotel during the night we could  not get out! All exit doors were locked and the Main door was tied shut with rope on the outside. We were essentially trapped in Arenas Palas on Ave de Compostela 16-1°C. I would have thought such action by the owners would be illegal. Similar action in Ireland when exit doors were locked with chains and resulted in 48 fatalities in the Stardust disaster in1981. The following limerick trys to highlight the danger

While leaving from Palas del Rei

There's something I have to say

Arenas Palas

A death  trap alas

For all exits are locked till next day

We had the best Pilgrim's meal the night before & if there ever was a coincidence it happened last night. In the pub where we ate we met the wife (Christine) of Chris who we met on day 1 of the Camino. Dare I say a limerick jumped out

There was Chrissy and Barbara and more

And Christy and Joe from before

Chris and Christy are wed

About Joe well nuff said

But they all hail from old Tullamore

 
The anticipation of actually finishing has lifted our spirits to new heights so that even though today's walk was long we both enjoyed it. I have to say the increased numbers along the trail has created a different atmosphere. Quiet times are not as frequent as there always- seems to be a crowd passing by and they tend to be somewhat noisy. With only 42 Km to go we are both feeling we'd like to finish.

The Albergue at Ribadiso was nice & the receptionist very helpful. We've booked a double room for -tomorrow with her help so we can enjoy a pressure free walk tomorrow. We had dinner tonight with Heather & Paulher help so we can enjoy a pressure free walk tomorrow. We are now enjoying Baileys nightcap which inspired the following limerick.

 
I like a small Baileys at night

With my sweetheart that's Frances, all right?

As we stumble home

I might write a poem

On someone's misfortune or plight

G'night Mary-Lou