Day 43 elevation profile
We wake full of excitement, energy and mixed feelings. We know it is only a relatively short walk to our goal. But we are also walking towards the end of the most wonderful experienced anyone could have. So, we embark into the beautiful day, but not without a false start – we have to back track after a couple of minutes to retrieve my poles which I left at our accommodation – oops.
The day is beautiful, clear but cool, and promises so much. The first few kilometres takes us through forest tracks that remind up us of home – gum trees, wattle, gum leaves, but no koalas, however. Our guide, the cuckoo, follows us and reminds us we are still in Spain.
Gum leaves on the track – Blackbutt Reserve or Spain?
My foot is nearly healed and presents no problems, however the knees begin their last protest on some of the downhills, but the goal is to close to let them be heard. The emotions begin to play a bigger part in the mind and we sit to rest after about 10km. We connect with other pilgrims at the same stage of their journeys and it is evident that they are feeling the same as us, excitement, interpretation, fatigue, thanksgiving, love – the list would go on forever, but would be very similar.
With less than 10km to go, we set off again. Our pace us brisk – much faster than the last 10 days since “B” Day. The anticipation is filling us with adrenaline, too much to handle. As we pass Santiago airport we watch as planes take off, probably filled with pilgrims who have completed their journeys – maybe some of them are friends we have made along the way – only 5km to go. We enter the outskirts of Santiago de Compostella. I can say I have never felt this way before.
Almost there.
We we are so close to the goal – The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the tomb of St James is located. We know there are people at the Cathedral to meet us so our pace quickens again, the heart begins to race and the tears are harder to fight back. Our walk reaches the “old” part of town and we catch a glimpse of our destination and we know we must be close.
Our goal is so close.
We pass pilgrims who have already reached their goal and receive encouragement and the wonderful call of “Buen Camino”.
Our final approach to the Cathedral square is through the arch and tunnel on the east side of the Cathedral – I didn’t realise I was such a sook as the tears well up and and I am choked with emotion. A bagpipe player is busking in the tunnel as we pass, feeling like it was a special greeting for all pilgrims passing by. As we enter the square, we are greeted by our friends from California, Cathy and David, running across the Plaza, playing the Australian national anthem on their iPhone, giving us an enormous hug, making us feel as though this was where we were meant to be (thanks y’all).
We made it.
Lifting one burden from our lives.
The emotions cannot be contained any more and Narelle and I embrace (me sobbing) in one final moment of completion. I could not believe I could feel this way – so fulfilled, so changed, so completely exhausted, so emotionally drained, so wonderfully happy, so perfectly placed in the world. I believe I have walked humbly with my God, learned a lot about myself, about others, about life in general.
Achievement recorded.
We gather ourselves, then trot off to the pilgrims office to collect our material rewards – our Compostela. Whilst everyone enjoys receiving a certificate for acknowledging one’s success, it will never be better than knowing the inner successes achieved . The rest of the day is spent celebrating with special friends and soaking up the euphoria.
Special friends, Cathy and David.
Celebrating with special people.
Celebrating with special friends.
hi Mr V
Congratulations on finishing your walk. I liked reading about the trip and looking at the photos.
We won most of our games at the soccer gala. I got to play in the senior team and I scored a goal. It was lots of fun but very tiring.
We miss you at school. See you at school after the holidays.
The Maroons only won one but blues will win the rest.
🏉⚽️😎😀
From Bailey
G’day Bailey, it was good to hear from you. I am so proud of all of you and all who were at the soccer gala. Congratulation on scoring a goal. It must have been a big thrill for you and all the team.
The Camino was an awesome experience and I wish everyone could experience it at least once in their lifetime. Maybe you will do it one day.
We are no longer pilgrims, but just tourists now. We are off the the Greek Islands tomorrow for a big rest. I am looking forward to seeing everybody next term.
Sadly I don’t agree that NSW will do any better. QLD
3-0.
Best wishes Mr V.
Enjoy the relaxing part of your holiday.
See u in term three. Hope it is nice weather.
From Bailey.
🌴🍹
Dear Mr V
What did you do on camp and how did you survive and did you have a nice day?
Did know on next sports day it is my birthday? Bye Bye Mitchell Ryan
I hope you have a safe trip back, looking forward to seeing you. I have learnt how to tell the time and my times tables while you have been away, I have also learnt that you are the greatest principal ever. Andrew Ryan
hi Mr V,
I hope your having a great holiday. While you were away we did a diorama on a rainforest.
Hi Ebony. Yes the holiday is very good. It was hard to change from being a pilgrim to being a tourist.
I hope you took a photo of your diarama so I can see it what I get back. See you in term 3. 😀
Hi Gerry and Narelle.
well WOW what a journey you have had. We have been watching with much interest and a few prayers ( esp for the poor sore foot Gerry) and glad to hear that you both made it safely.
I couldn’t help but think that you were a bit like Jesus with the wound on your foot, and that you must have identified with him a bit, particularly as you made your pilgrimage journey! Enjoy the last part of your journey and a much earned rest- jealous much!! Pretty cold here- even for Newcaslte!
God bless and keep you both safe,
Bronwyn M.
Hi Gerry and Narelle,
Well big congrats on completing the Compestela walk. Its a massive undertaking.
Your foot- well that just looked painful- I know even a small blister hurts- so all I can say is you must have a high pain threshold to still be walking with that!
Have fun on your last leg of your journey in Greece. You deserve it. 🙂
See you bright and bubbly in term 3!
Blessings,
Bronwyn M.
Thanks Bronwyn. We were very chuffed to walk into the Cathederal square in Santiago, knowing what we had achieved. Being a tourist now is very different to being a pilgrim. But we are managing. Enjoy the break coming up and see you next term.
Ok so now we want a few pics of Greece…And remember to spend up your Euros there as Greece is not doing so well and needs your $$.
Have fun,
Bronwyn
Gerry
I’m sitting at Charles de Gaulle airport on my way to SJPDP. I’ve just finished reading your blogs. Did you stay in albergues? I got the sense you were in hotels all along The Way. Is this a misconception on my part? When you had to forward your backpack, where did you forward it to?
G’day Don,
We stayed in a mixture if hotels, alburgues, casa rurales, but we always had a double room with private bathrooms – an indulgence i know but well worth it. We had them pre-booked so we knew we had a room at the end of the day – but this did make us keep to an itinerary – no winging it if you know what i mean.
We forwarded my pack each day – the place we were staying that night would give us a form to fill out and then make a call to “jackotrans” and they would pick it up the next morning and it would be there when we arrived in the afternoon – pretty inexpensive and very reliable.
Hope your Camino goes well – it was a wonderful experience for us both.
Buen Camino
A wonderfully moving and emotional blog post Gerry. As I read, I felt that I was actually there with you and experiencing anew, the exact same feelings as I had during the last 20 or so Ks of my own Camino walk in 2013….Such a great read. Congratulations to you both, and, thankyou both also for your contributions to our Aust.Pilgrims on the Camino FB group. Susan (Admin) Aust.Pilgrims on the Camino FB group.