Day 30: Pedrouzo to Santiago. 22.5km

Well, we made it. What seemed the longest 20km walk of our lives, we followed the pilgrim hoards into Santiago de Compostela. The journey was made easier by conversations with two informative middle aged Irish guys (their 7th Camino) and a whacked out 49 year old Californian woman named Indira. We followed the lines of pilgrims into the plaza of St James where both of us looked up at the stylish St James church and had a brief, but poignant moment. A mixture of relief, exhaustion, pride and, for me, personal fulfilment. 750 km of constant graft and physicality rewarded! Thirty years of thinking one day I might get here, and feckin doing it!

About 1km before entering the plaza, we had a Camino moment. We were getting tired/frustrated by the walk in the misty conditions and for some unknown reason I started sensing that our Albergue might be near. I said to small Paul, let’s look on Maps to see if we can drop our packs at the Albergue and then head into the plaza. I then looked up and we were standing outside the Albergue we’d booked in flipping June! So we were able to walk pack free into the plaza and soak up the atmosphere.

It’s pretty surreal experience in the plaza as folk are experiencing all kinds of different emotions. Reacquainting with folk who you’ve had even slight connections on the trail. Long walkers congratulating each other for doing the hard yards. Many are limping and sore. Some are overwhelmed. Depleted. It’s a sight to behold.

And then it kind of ends, our bodies tell us to go, and we limp back to the Albergue to eat, shower and recover. On the way back small Paul and I celebrate by having a large Spanish IPA at an overpriced bar and some tapas to die for.

It’s all been so worth it.Read more