Santiago

Compostela and Certificate of distance with Santiago Cathedral as a back drop.

Padron had one more trick up it’s sleeve. Having turned in at ten, me alone in a dorm for 8, 10:30 another 5 pilgrims arrive. Lights on, noise. Then just as all was returning to calm a band struck up nearby in Padron. They only knew one song it seems with a heavy base line but they played it with gusto till 2:30.

Away by 8. The last 25 km into Santiago, a lovely walk and suddenly round a corner the cathedral in sight.

Look hard, it is there.

I booked in at the Alburgue near the station and after a rest I made my way to the Cathedral. I hugged the statue of St. James in thanks and descended to the tomb where the remains of St. James lie. There I left the shell that had been given to me as I left Mirfield. The prayers and petitions of the people in good hands.

The shell is bottom left.

Then up again to the Pilgrims Mass at 7:30 pm in a packed cathedral.

Celebration meal (OK Big Mac double cheese burger and chips made large with Coke, don’t tell my brother). Then back to the Alburgue for hopefully a bit more sleep than last night.

An early walk down through the deserted streets

8 am finds me at the office of accreditation to convert my passport of credential stamps to the official Compostela. Then breakfast.

At 10:45 my family met me in the Square, they had created a large welcome banner and made a fuss which was lovely, I’m just glad I had had the time by myself the previous evening otherwise I would have been in bits.

A great day with the family in Santiago, thronged now with Pilgrims. The number of pilgrims booked through for yesterday was 1,744 and today (Sunday 17th June 2018), along with me a further 990.

There is a lot to mull over, a lot to do in line with the thoughts of the past 4 weeks. I will keep you posted, but for now, to Giles’s house, a hot bath and an evening of family and sun.

May God bless you as I feel he has blessed me.