Day 51 Arca to Santiago de Compostela

I did not have a great night as I had stomach ailment, unfortunately it carried on during my walk today.

I woke up and looked out the window and it was raining.

It's not exactly my idea of fun walking in the rain but figured one day is manageable.

I set off at around 8am not feeling the greatest. Nothing like flooding the system with Coke to keep you going. 

I needed to walk an additional 2km's from my Pensión to get back on the Camino as it was out of town.

As walked out of the town I entered the typical rain forests, at least the wind was not blowing, otherwise I would have been soaked.

I got to Amenal and needed a coke and another kind of stop. No normal person would actually walk feeling like I did but then again I am not normal. There is a little switch in me that turns the brain off the issue and endures no matter what, failure is not an option and especially not on the last day.

I walked past the airport and wondered just how far my next stop would be, lucky for me San Paio was close by. It was another coke stop as I now call them.

Then I knew what came after Lavacolla, a very long uphill and let me tell you today it felt worse than Napoleon route and O' Cebreiro.

I eventually got up to Monte del Goza, bought another coke to finish the Camino off. 

It was then I met Nura a lovely Irish lady that started in Sarria. It was only a 115km Camino for her and she was done. Nura asked me about my Camino and I told her when and where I started. She said to me hers was not a Camino in comparison to mine. I told her that hers was just as special as my journey, it's her personal journey. It was amazing how she arrived just when I needed dragging into the city. I do not know how I walked the last 5km's. 

I got within a few 100 metres of the cathedral and there was Alex, I said goodbye to Nura and he took over support. I really am so blessed to be sent these Angels when I needed them.  Alex got in a day earlier so he knew where the Camino office was located to pick up my Compostela. I waited about 20mins in the queue.

I handed in my passport and the lady was asking me where I started and then she stopped and said "okay it's been a long journey". I was handed my Compostela, what an amazing feeling of accomplishment, 800km's of walking completed. That was the physical bit, the rest of it has changed my life forever.

I checked my phone and Resi sent an SMS, told her where I was and she came and found me. It was fabulous meeting up with her and Alex again.

Laura and Jamie got back from Finisterre today and joined us for drinks.

We decided to move restaurants as we needed sun. The next minute I hear this voice and someone touched my shoulders. Oh my word, it was Iris and Colston. It was an amazing reunion this evening, I got to celebrate and share Camino stories with my family before  we parted ways. I clearly chose the right day to arrive as most of them leave tomorrow.

I have one word to describe the Camino, "Ultreïa" meaning onward, moving forward. 

That's life, we cannot live in the past, we live in the present not knowing the future. Live every day as if it's your last.

Thanks for following my blog.

Buen Camino

Day 50 Arzúa to Arca

This morning I woke up really early for some strange reason. It's probably the fact that other pilgrims usually wake up so early and now I am getting used to it.

I left the Pensión at 7:30am, I knew it was going to be a 20km day so best to just get started.

It was rather a strange day,  I felt rather emotional as I counted down the way marks. If you have done the Camino before you will know what I mean. This is my 50th day on the Camino, it becomes part of your life and all I see now is the end in sight.

It was rather cold leaving Arzúa this morning. I can relate the temperature to a Johannesburg winter. The locals are complaining about the weather as they have not yet had summer.

I walked through the forests with a lot of other pilgrims, Camino numbers are increasing. 

By the time I got to Calzada (6km's) my sugar levels had dropped considerably and I knew I needed something fast. Casa Calzada a popular track side cafe was waiting for me. I ordered a French omelette with cheese, ham and tomato. I find it strange that you will always get tomato's raw on the side never cooked. Oh how I miss breakfasts with Rob, especially a lovely cooked English tomato and mushrooms.

I moved on through the forests through a quaint village called A calle, it's being rebuilt for the Camino.

I carried on and met up with lady who helped me yesterday with my contraption (rain poncho). She has also been on the Camino forever just like me. We shared some very good memories of what we have been through and as it turns out she felt as emotional as I did watching the way marks.

I stopped at a funky bar in Salceda for a Kas Limón, it had all kinds of graffiti on the walls, awesome pitstop.

I carried on through Cruce O Emplane and Santa Irene, crossing over main roads, in and out of forests. 

I entered San Antón with the tourist office fully operational with free wifi. It helps when you need to check bookings.

1.5km's later I was finally in Arca and found Pensión Maribel. They were full so the lady drove me down to the brand new Pensión called Casal De Cama. The trip in the car was very strange, I felt uncomfortable as I had not been in a moving object for a very long time.

I have clearly become earthed over the last 2 months.

I checked in and 1 hour later it started  raining, pleased I did not plan a marathon walk today like other pilgrims are doing.

The people here are amazing. They took me into town to buy a takeaway pizza. They really know how to make a pilgrim feel welcome. I could not think of a better place to spend my final evening on the Camino.

20km's done today and 20km's to go.