Only 5km to go to Santiago!
Day 19: Total distance 16 km. Total ascent: 263m
Weather: Cloudy, showers and cool. Temperature: 16
There is a sense of expectation and excitement as we approach the end of our Camino adventure. Even though we will spend a few more days travelling out to Finisterre, looking around Santiago, chasing out to the hospital to get cast removed (hopefully) – everyone has a sense of light relief and possibly even slight euphoria at the thought of arriving at Santiago cathedral tomorrow morning. We walked past the airport on our way to Monte de Gozo today, and there was no real excitement at the thought that in a few days we would be back there flying out to London, but there was an eager anticipation of seeing Santiago as we crested the hill. Perhaps we are starting to appreciate the accomplishment of our walk – even though we have not completed the whole Camino (we will have to return again one day to do that!), we will have covered almost 300km over the past three weeks. We have had good days and we have had bad days. Blisters have come and gone, and remained for others! We have laughed, we have argued, we have held hands, we have walked in companionable silence, and we have enjoyed the space to think and “be”.
The scenery here in Galicia has been wonderful, and the forests look like a set out of a fantasy movie. Between the twisted and gnarly mossy trees tower arrow-straight eucalyptus and strongly-scented pines. The path winds its way through, over the undulating hills and through river valleys. Colourful bracken contrasts against the dark green moss and the glistening eucalyptus trunks. The Camino is full of continual contrasts, five days ago we were walking in 29 degrees, yesterday it was 12. The dry dusty straight trails have given was to muddy winding paths, and just as the puddles this morning reflected the landscape around, we have had plenty of opportunity to reflect over the past three weeks. Perhaps three weeks has been too short a time? 🙂
Tags: 2012, postcard: Spain
rayres
I confess I’m sorry to hear your Camino adventure is almost over because I’ve had such great fun reading about it. You all are such wonderful writers, I semi-selfishly think you should do another RTW trip soon just so I can read about it! 😉
Looking forward to reading about England though your eyes, as my boyfriend lives there so I pop over fairly often these days to visit (won’t next for a month’s time though, so think I’ll miss you…).
Cheers!
Thanks for the comments Yvette. Yes, we are a bit sad at finishing although we are looking forward to seeing more of Santiago. The cathedral is amazing and the pilgrims’ mass was a fantastic experience!
I am the sister of the gal from Iowa you met in Santiago today- we are both in AWE of your family 🙂 Once I discovered your blog, I went back and read your year- long journey blog. I have eight siblings and know first-hand the joys and challenges of a large family.
May you all continue to walk with joy and togetherness for years to come.