Thursday, 23 July 2015

Final thoughts

Last night, as we were eating dinner, Linda asked me how I felt about finishing the Camino. I really feel as if the Camino ended in Santiago. That was the real goal of my journey and was truly a pilgrimage. If I were to do it all again, I would simply do a day trip to the beach rather than walking those extra days.

I have also had to really battle with my dodgy foot. I was so focussed on simply making the last two days that I couldn't just sit and be. The pain in my foot has definitely taken the shine off the Way, or the ending of it at least.

I can't imagine how some people walk the Camino, from early on, with knee or foot problems. If I had not been able to see the finishing line, and didn't have a flight to Rome the next day, I would have given up or, at least, taken some time off. Of course, if I didn't have day and 5000 step sponsors, I would have just caught a taxi to Finisterre.

I think that it is going to take a while, and maybe some physical recovery, before I can appreciate what I have done. Maybe by the time I do a report back to the parishes then I'll have my head around it a bit more.

What I do know, as I have written to a number of people, is that it has been an extraordinary grace / blessing / strength to have so very many people back home supporting me and journeying with me. Someone wrote me the other day to say that there have probably been said as many prayers for me as footsteps I had to walk - I believe this and I feel it.

I know that over 350 people have visited my blog every day! I know that many have made a morning ritual of reading my poor thoughts over an early morning cup of coffee... I have felt this companionship along the Way. Thank you.

So, now, it is time to sign off.... I could detail the sights and tastes of Rome and Florence, but I will not!

So, until we meet again, may God hold you safe in the palm of his hand.

From The Lord of the RIngs by J.R.R.Tolkien:

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet!

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

Final photos

Lunch and dinner

Our hotel and view from hotel

Fishing boats

Day 41 - to Finisterre - it is accomplished

As always, thanks to my day and 5000 step sponsors. Today, thanks to everyone who has journeyed with me, encouraging me and supporting me.

After a brief rest, when I was completely out of it, I decided to go for a wander around town. My going was very, very, very slow. Apart from visiting a supermarket, to purchase some necessities, I simply walked along the waters edge, sat down, admired the view and responded to some emails.

Just before the hour I was to meet Linda, I paid a visit to the local church for some prayers. On the way, I noticed a sign for a cafe offering Tex-Mex and barbecue Ribs. It was on the way back to our hotel. We decided to go there. We shared a platter of Nachos, green peppers with cheese, and quesadilla. It was delicious. We then shared a half portion of Ribs. It was really pleasant sitting in a local piazza, eating good cheap food, and watching local kids play.

I was very worried about today's walk. My foot was really playing up. There is no swelling, but each step registers a sharp pain. At 5am, when I got up to go to the bathroom, I could barely walk. I was gripping the wall to get to where I was going.

I had planned a late start, 8am. I got up at about 7.30 and started preparing. Ibuprofen had done nothing do I had purchased an ibuprofen cream which I generously massaged in. When I finally found my feet, it was not as bad as earlier but it was not good. I had also decide to dump Linda's daypack because it is horrible - there is no air between pack and back, so it gets very, very hot and sweaty. Further, a zip down the bottom has rubbed part of my back raw. It was sort of nice to take up my pack again, but it was also heavier.

After a brief breakfast, the hotel owner was very concerned for me. He was very kind and he gave me a card and said that if I got into any trouble that he would come to pick me up. As I hobbled along the foreshore, a local lady, walking her dog, also expressed concern. She tried to encourage me to catch a bus. I had to explain to her that I had walked 40 days and 885 kms - I was not stopping.

The way out of town was all up hill. That turns out to have been a good thing. The opposite of yesterday, going uphill caused no pain... Something about the angle of the foot. Of course, what goes up must come down and the going down was very hard indeed.

Time seemed to flow very slowly. It took me four hours to walk what I could have done in three. It was also a case of "are we there yet?". The end lay enticingly just around the corner.

I was in no mood, upon reaching the light-house at the end of the world, to enjoy the moment. I took the appropriate photos, bought the "been there done that" t-shirt, and headed home. Unfortunately, there are only three taxis in Finisterre and they were all busy, so we had to walk the 3 kms back to town - all down hill.

I was starving by this point. i had not stopped all morning for fear of not being able to start again. The second place we saw looked good enough, so we stopped there. As it turns out, it was the third best rated food place on TripAdvisor - it was exceptional. Truly satisfied, we headed up, up, up to our hotel to book in and rest.

I will write a brief something tomorrow in one of the airports.

Hasta el luego...

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

Day 41 - some photos

Pictures from Cee

Last night's entree - Tex-mex - and view from dinner table

Pilgrim paths and views

Town limits but still miles to go

Pilgrim Memorial

The Finisterre light house

Linda getting final stamp

It is accomplished

Day 40 - to Cee (almost there)

Thanks to my day and 5000 step sponsors... More prayers please.

After dinner, last night, I talked with the matron of the establishment, trying to establish the route out of town. I had come in the back way, around the mountain, and we were in an off-Camino town. This hotel actually offers a pick up and drop back facility. Walkers call from wherever they end up and the hotel gets them and takes them back the next day. She offered me the choice to go to Albeiras with three others at 7am and I took up the offer.

So, this morning, at about 7.20, I was at a crossroads and ready for a day's walk. Well, I was ready mentally. I was not ready physically. I had a problem with my left ankle and as soon as I put it to the bitumen, I flinched. My first few steps down the road were a real hobble. As I walked, I wondered whether I should be doing this. I really needed to rest my foot. Then, I thought that I would do it no matter how slow the journey. I did the maths in my head and thought that it might take me 8 hours- so be it.

As it turns out, I made pretty good time. The pain never went away and nor did the limp for long. The closest I got to normal looked like a shuffle. But, it was a quick shuffle.

The way itself was very pretty. The first 12 kms were a journey along tree-lined paths and along a mountain ridge with a beautiful valley below. A couple of the towns were quite pretty.

At one stage, as I walked along, I heard a man coming up behind me. He passed me on a scooter. It must have seemed like a good idea at the time.

Eventually, I hit a stretch of 12kms through marshes and pine forests with no towns or bars or cafes, though there were a couple of small chapels. This section of the walk was magnificent. It was very scenic, though filled with lots of ups and downs. I only stopped once on the journey as each restart hurt more than keeping going.

I was so delighted to see the sea... Though the 2km stretch very steeply downhill was hard going on every level.

Cee is a typical sea town. After washing, me and clothes, we went to eat a burger and watch people pass by. It was quite pleasant. I hope that my foot is up for more exploring this evening.

Hasta el luego!