Finishing the Camino

Finishing was quite a surreal experience, we got a little bit carried away on our second last day and instead of walking 23 kilometers we decided to just keep going. After walking 43 kilometers we could see the spire of the Cathedral! It was so exciting to arrive in Santiago but also a little bit sad as another chapter of our journey was ending.

I was very disappointed that there were no cheer squads as we entered the city, I was hoping for a street parade, maybe a marching band.... at least a line of people ready to hi-five us. But alas, we walked in, did a victory lap of the cathedral and took some photos, a bit of an anticlimax really. We were lucky however that a few Aussies we met along the way had arrived the previous day and were on hand to give us a slap on the back which was great.

I did get a little emotional, one- because I wasn't expecting to arrive the day we did and two- because it was finally over. We had been walking for 31 days and the whole time I was focused on getting to the end and when I finally arrived I was emotionally drained and physically exhaused.

We did go to the nearest pub and celebrate with the biggest beers we could find!! We found a great hotel which had opened only a few days earlier right next to the cathedral.

The Final Contdown

Not only is this a great song by jefferson starship but this is probably the best way to describe our feelings at this point in time. Everything we have been doing for the last 29 days will culminate in five days time.
Today we had a lovely walk and we find ourselves in a town somewhere in Spain, on someday of the month on someday of the week. You really feel like you have achieved youre goal when you seriously cannot answer the above questions. The beautiful undulating greenhills of Galicia, with roman walls dotting the countryside and celtic huts littered around the place continue to amaze. A little old lady walks out of a barn and offers you a crepe with sugar- the sweet smell of freshly cut grass in the early hours of the morning. A church bell dings in the distance as you wander through a herd of cattle, can the world be at any greater peace. Welcome to the world of the Camino.
After packing up our lives in Canberra I feel so removed from the previous 12 months of anxiety and stress- sadly I am already thinking about returning home! Happy to see family and friends but disappointed that Spain and Africa will be a memory- something to be treasured forever but non the less a memory.

Alas there is still much to see and do and Portugal and South America are on the horizon.

300, 400, 500 & 600

Well since we last posted a lot of milestones have been met and targets exceeded...... sounds alot like program management jargon right?
The weather has finally cleared, we are back in shorts and shirts and have seen some amazing country. Castilla and Leon was amazing with many beautiful old churches and castles dotting the countryside.
We recently completed three big climbs and decents- the first was at Cruz de Ferre which took us up to 1500m and amongst snow capped mountians- an unusual sight in Spain weeks before Summer. Today we summited O Cerebrio at 1270m followed by a decent to 1000m before another climb which took us to 1300m. Today we set a new record for distance covered in a day- 36km- not bad considering it including 17kms of climbs.
Today represented our entry into Galicia pronounced Galithia which means we have less than 130km to our final destination of Santiago de Compostella- in real terms this is less than 6 days of walking. As this is a holy year- we are looking forward to walking through the door of forgiveness which wipes the slate clean with the big fella upstairs. This only occurs in the holy year so for those of you out there who need forgiveness, start saving for 2021.
The niggling injuries such as blisters and tired muscles that plagued us at the start of the walk are a thing of the past- Sahra has been band aid and plaster free for almost 7 days and Ive taken her off the fibre cookies which caused a few problems along the way. I am almost injury free, have a blister which has cropped up for the second time, which I am paying close attention to. Had some shin splint problems but that has cleared up.
To reward our efforts we have decided to walk for an extra three days to Finisterre which is on the coast and will allow us bragging rights of having walked the entire width of Spain . We have also booked some accomodation in Porto after we finish for some well earned rest and relaxation.
Overall we have experienced some major highs and a few lows in the past 28 days of walking. I have to put my hand up and say I really underestimated the physical and mental challenges of this journey. Thus far we have overcome all the challenges thrown our way, we have learnt a lot about ourselves, as individuals and as a couple, which will serve us well in our life together. Overall it has strengthened our bond and helped us realise just how similar we both are and that we want the same things in life.
All in all a great expereince which we will never forget.
Will try and post some photos celebrating our milestones but until we reach Santiago- Peace

Blisters, blisters, blisters....

Aidan´s toe and Sahra´s heel.

Day 10- Azofra to Santo Domingo de la Cazada

Well, after three straight days of bad weather surely things would improve today.....wrong. Yesterday it was five degrees today it was as low as zero. Overnight the drizzle continued making the clay paths from Azofra to Santo Domingo near impassable. A section around 1km long took us 30 minutes to navigate through. Just when we were getting accustomed to the cold, wet conditions, the driving rain commenced leaving us around 1km from the nearest town. Sahra glanced up at the hill only to notice snow at around 850m, we were walking at around 750m. Undertking the walk during spring we really didnt think thermals or wet weather gear would be all that necessary. It seems like one thing after another on this walk challenges you to the core.
Once we reached Ciruena at around 11am we thought we were on the home stretch but again we underestimated the powers that be- time for the sleet and hail to test our wits. By this time we were both tired and wet and to be honest so overwhelmed that it was like water off a ducks back. Bring on a cyclone we both said.
Despite everything we continue to tackle this beast head on. While we only managed 14km today we are still on track, yesterday we did over the recommended distance.
My toe continues to be a source of trouble- not sure what the solution is- its not really the blister that is causing the problem its the toe itself. Before entering into the walk we really thought it would be a challenge- thus far it hasnt dissappointed, and its not the physical aspects that are the challenge- its the associated unexpected elements such as the weather or your feet.
To end on a positive note we passed the 200km mark yesterday, see photo below.
Get on and start posting your comments of support to keep us going strong.

Day 7- Los Arcos to Viana

Thank you everyone for your suggestions we are currently reviewing them and will try and post photos´s to mark the milestones in the future.
Another 20km down the pipe today but some of the toughest we have encountered. Not because of the distance or the terrain, but some days the body just won´t respond. My toe is getting increasingly worse and as such I feel excrutiating pain for the first 30min of each morning until the blood really gets pumping. Not much skin left on my toe these days. Have tried everything possible but it really is the result of my shoes.
The weather was wet overnight and unfortunatley we encountered a great deal of mud on todays walk- this made things all the more difficult. We are currently averaging around 5km an hour but today it was much less. The stupid thing is if we followed the road we would have had a much more comfortable walk. Despite the difficulties of today we remain bouyant and are really enjoying ourselves.
Yesterday we passed a winery at 8am which had a pilgrims fountain of wine. Couldnt resist the lure of free wine so we got on the gas. Perhaps this has something to do with yesterday´s walk being so comfortable. Sahra had been looking forward to the wine fountain before we started the walk so I´m not sure what her motivation is now.
Currently in the town of Viana. It is 3.50pm and we arrived at around 1.00pm. The Spanish GP is on the TV and we have just had a nice walk around the town but alas there are no bridges to fall asleep under. Did find a bar and it seems our luck is changing- pulled out 50 euros from a pokie which is not a bad return from a 1 euro investment. We didn´t understand a lick as it was all in Spanish but there were a lot of bells, lights and whistles so thats always good. Maybe I should write a book- ´Europe on 50 euros a day- assuming you win it on a pokie´.

Adios...... Special Birthday wishes to Amanda and Alysha.

Cracking the Century

Today we surpased the magical hundred mark, to my diappointment we did absolutely nothing to commemorate the ocassion. We would appreciate any suggestions for future milestones?
To give you a brief summary of our day we generally depart the Albeurge between 6.45 and 7.00am walk for around 2 hours then have a break. We usually try to cooridnate this with a town that has amazing Spanish coffee. After any break it is a good 10 minutes for the legs really work again so we usually hobble out of the town and commence another 2 hour stretch which takes us to 11.00am. By this time we could ´eat the ar$e out of a low flying duck´ so we stop again and have a snack, maybe ham or nuts.
Our camelbaks have been immensenly handy and really assist with dehydration. At around 12.00pm we like to stop for lunch in one of the towns which thus far have been beautiful- if we are feeling in the mood we stop for 1 hour however the longer you stop the harder it is to start again. Sahra is a bit like a victa lawn mower after lunch, she really needs priming and it take a few goes to get her started. Still no success with her feet, she almost made it the whole way in her runners today- she is doing a great job- her pack is heavier than a lot of the men doing the camino. I am very proud of her thus far.
By around 2.00pm to 3.00pm each day we have arrived in our new town, our first job is to locate an albergue, get our credencial stamped, then have a nice long relaxing shower before the other pilgrim riff raff arrive. We have started going for a walk after we arrive as it relaxs the muscles and yesterday we went and sat under a wonderful old bridge and had a nice siesta like the loccals.
Lately we have been cooking dinner for ourselves but there are many pilgrim meals around town for roughly 9 euros. They generally include wine and it really is a nice atmosphere catching up with the other pilgrims after a long day. By 9.00pm to 10.00pm we fall into bed ready to do it all over again.

Buen Camino!