Day # 31June 21 Day # 31 June 21 Triacastela to Sarria (18.7K)

Day # 31 June 21 Triacastela to Sarria (18.7K)

I'm afraid the bikes are more than a minor irritation; the following limerick will give some idea

The bikers can mess up your day

They're assholes I've heard people say

What did you expect

They show no respect

For pilgrims who all WALK the Way

 

This stage has been anticipated for so long I found it had to believe it was here! Sarria, where many people begin their Camino and where we were expecting many more to join our journey. The stages between Sarria and Santiago are the minimum one must complete to get a Compostela so arriving at Sarria was going to be special, especially being there on a Saturday night.

We had "hooked" up with Chris, Greg & the girls and arranged to use the same Albergue.

The girls prepared a wonderful meal & we had wine, beer & Baileys after. Roxy & Paul joined us & we had a great night of joke telling.

The walk itself was really nice & relatively short so we got to see a little of the town for a change. It was the feast of Corpus Christi so they were preparing for a procession... haven't seen one of them in years- still haven't! They go all out here - the pictures below give you an idea!
It is so good to be in Sarria, it feels like we might just do this thing!

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