We made it! Windswept, saturated, mud stained but we made it. Yay!!
What a day. What a journey!
After 51 days of walking and 1500+ kilometres I have arrived rejoicing at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
It’s been another atrocious day weather wise so I really don’t have many photos to share, but here’s a few snapshots taken when the rain eased enough to get my phone out.
First, David and his umbrella at the cathedral, looking a little worse for wear (the umbrella, I mean. David looking cheeky as always.)
David has been a great walking companion these past weeks, and so too Eva. Both have maintained a great sense of equilibrium and humour despite the, at times, trying conditions. I am grateful for their company, and also Matthieu (who we will meet again later this evening - he has arrived from the Primitivo). And, of course, dear Sarah, and Sarah L, and Andy, with whom I shared many of the earlier stages. Thank you fellow pilgrims.
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The star in the field - Compostela.
And another of David. He really does like that umbrella, and he certainly got an opportunity to use it these past few days, though sometimes it was too windy to risk it.
I’m sorry there aren’t more photos to share of this stage but really, the weather had the final say. And that’s what it’s like with the Camino. It’s bigger than all of us, and helps remind us of our place in the scheme of things - fragile fellow human beings; small, graced and ever journeying onward.
And to you, dear reader, thank you so much for your company, your interest and encouragement. It has been a privilege and a joy to share this journey with you, and humbling to have your care and support.
Buen Camino, amigos.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Such a beautiful final post, full of gratitude - thank you beloved. It's been an epic journey and, yes, somehow fitting that the conditions had the final say! Today is the Feast of Saint James (Sant' Iago himself) - so how fitting that you will spend the day there! I hope there'll be time to begin recollecting the whole of it from our first day setting out in Carcassonne almost 2 months ago, and especially time to savour the grace of arrival and rest, and that deeply satisfied sense of the journey (for now) complete. With love and admiration (and some tapas envy!), Sars
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing yet another Camino experience, which will live in your memory for all time. We all continue to be 'small, graced and ever journeying onward'. Thank you for sharing your Pilgrimage with us. It has been a pleasure to follow along. Time now to come home to your Sars and a well-deserved rest.
ReplyDeleteAwing - your walking, Neil and your arriving.
ReplyDeleteYes...Camino-pilgriming wherever however we are pilgriming, for you 1500+Km yet again to Santiago de Compostela - for the 'nth' time (how many?) does 'remind us of our place in the scheme of things - fragile fellow human beings; small, graced and ever journeying onward'.
Thank you for walking it again, Neil. Abundant thankyou's for sharing your 2025 journey, in part walked also with Sarah B and Sarah L, for all of your walking -and eating (!) whatever the weather, with us 'stationary' ones. Here in Aus, and elsewhere in the world, we've been receiving through 'English' reading, gazing at your photographs, and, your sharing your fellow pilgrim's photographs via the 'miracle' of the internet, sitting here 'digi-connected' on the other side of potato-shaped swiftly-spinning Planet Earth on which we dependent humans dwell. abrigado, danke, shukran, etc etc Carol
Yes, Neil gratitude for your perserverance, and all your comments and reflections along the Camino.' Small, graced, and ever journeying onward and inward-' what a delight to share this journey with you Neil- the photos have been such a source of 'Turn to Wonder ' for me- thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking me along with you on this epic trip, Neil. Your brilliant photos and poignant comments provided the best bed-time story every night for almost 2 months. I often caught myself the next day thinking about something you commented on, or your response when the going got tough. We are all the better for sharing in this.
ReplyDeleteBut why were there slugs only in France???? 😅
Marta.
What an amazing feat (and feets!). An incredible accomplishment and such a wonderful journey...all the way from those first steps with Sarah two months ago. Thank you again, so very much for allowing us to be pilgrims with you...albeit from our comfortable homes. You have certainly weathered all conditions along the way. Enjoy coming back to your home, Neil. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the privilege. Sharyn
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful Neil. Thank you for sharing deeply. Such a privilege to follow along with deep encouragement. Rest now as you reflect and recover. Jo
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the epic journey and thank you for taking us with you! Graeme
ReplyDeleteWow. You made it! I can only try to imagine how you would feel now. Relieved? Happy, sad, reflective, longing for home, longing for another stage, tired, fed up, extatic, proud, humble, grateful.... All of the above?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your journey with us. It's been wonderful to read your humour filled reports. I imagine the space, the journey and the silence between the words. You would have experienced so much more of those than of the words that try to convey what happened.
Rest well now, and thank you again!
Brilliant. A massive effort of logistics, determination, and good humor. Hope you all had a great reentry experience today.
ReplyDeleteOver 1500+ kilometres, what a huge journey. Thank you and fellow pilgrims, must be joy to finally reach Santiago de Compostela. Thanks Neil, rest well. Bx
ReplyDeleteMust be a little sadness along with the gladness. Thankyou for allowing me to travel with you, I will miss reading your block every morning. Sue
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