There is a lovely fluidity to days on the Camino. This was the case right up to my last walking day.  O’Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela – 20.1 km I met new people (Irish and Italian), hopscotched along to the same cafe breaks as my Japanese friend and the gathering of pilgrim friends in Plaza del Obradoiro  was absolutely delightful as we discovered connections between us that we did not realize. But of course, we were all connected. I had a smile on my face all day. Thrilled, happy, and grateful to have arrived at Santiago de Compostela.

Take a step on the way and you are immersed in a stream of pilgrims heading westward. You meet the people you’re meant to meet. I met some more ‘philosophical’ pilgrims in these stages compelling me to ponder the meaning of a lost journal, a chance encounter, or asking questions like “what is your favourite Camino saying?”. First one that comes to mind for me is “The true way begins when the Camino ends”. A close second is “the Camino provides”. In these final days I felt lucky the Camino provided me with new pilgrim friends and a delightfully cosy albergue nestled in the woods. Palas de Rei to Melide –…

Reached the 100 km mark in these stages. Camino offers up new physical challenges and good advice from a pilgrim friend how to accept and release (pain is only temporary) As we near Santiago some reflections too with other pilgrims on Camino lessons to take home.  Las Herrerías to Fonfria – 20.1 kmFonfria to Sarria – 28 kmSarria to Portomarin – 22.7 kmPortomarin to Palas de Rei – 24.6 km It was back into the mountains leaving Las Herrerías. A good morning climb up to O’Cebriero. Crossed the border into Galicia, my final province travelled on this journey.  Entering town I passed a palloza, traditional building designed to withstand the…

The Camino is well travelled. A fellow pilgrim is often in sight. Sometimes it’s nice to have companionship, time flies by with a good conversation, which happened on my days in El Bierzo region. Other times you need encouragement. Support. This was the case on my walk into Villafranca del Bierzo.  The following thought came to mind (not for the first time): Thank goodness I am not doing the Camino alone. Ponteferrada to Villafranco del Bierzo – 24.2 kmVillafranco del Bierzo to Las Herrerías – 20.7 km Leaving Ponferrada looking behind I could see the mountains we’d climbed over. Entered wine region El Bierzo. Rolling hills with stubby vines just…

Walking the Camino is a physical challenge. Felt this exertion in my body in these stages. Camino also grants you time to work through life’s challenges, like how to let go. Astorga to Rabanal del Camino – 20.6 kmRabanal to Acebo -16.5 km Acebo to Ponferrada – 15 km Out of Astorga and into different terrain. Sweet smelling too. Thyme, lavender, lilacs and a scent reminding me of watermelons. My friend from Belgium pointed out wild orchids. The hills and low stone walls reminded her of the Aubraque region, a picturesque section of the way through France (starting at Le Puy). Snow capped mountains in the distance too. Leisurely stop at…

The walking and the pilgrim community are a huge part of the Camino experience. On top of this the days take place in Spain! I feel fortunate to see and experience unique Spanish traditions along the way: city celebrations, brilliant stain glass, Gaudi architecture, shepherds herding sheep, fresh squeezed OJ… León to San Martin del Camino – 26 kmSan Martin del Camino to Astorga – 23.8 km I had no idea of the stain glass that awaited inside León Cathedral. Stepping inside the dark gothic cathedral it’s almost shocking to see all the bright coloured windows. I particularly liked the leafy motives of vines and other vegetation. The library at…

Sahagún to El Burgo Ranero – 19 kmEl Burgo Ranero to Mansilla de las Mulas – 19.3Mansilla de Mulas to León – 18.1 km Route out of Sahagún was not particularly well marked; I waved at a passing car with a quizzical look and they readily pointed me in the right direction as they zoomed by. Lovely walking conditions along a straightforward gravel path. Nothing ordinary about my morning stop: another handmade stamp! This man was a friend of Mateo, also Italian,  but calls himself a “cuidadano del mundo” since he has lived in many counties though it’s his cheeky signature “Guru improbabile” imprinted on his stamp. José from Barcelona…

The Camino is full of endings and beginnings, in many different ways. You meet pilgrims going through life transitions. You say Hola to new friends, and then Adios. The rain ends and you begin to dry out. And you step across borders. Quite literally. In this first stretch to Frómista, I left the province of Burgos and entered the province of Palencia. Castrojeriz to Frómista – 24.9 km Fromista to Carrión de Los Condes -19.3 km Carrrion de Los Condes to Ledigos -23.4 km Ledigos to Sahagún – 15.9 km Other than an early morning climb up and over a small hill leaving Castrojeriz, it was a totally flat walk.…