Santiago Day!
Our last day on the Camino again started before dawn, however the route starts through urban areas and main roads that were sufficiently lit to keep our torches packed.
By the time we left the sodium lamps, dawn was breaking. The route seemed busier than the previous days, perhaps those who would’ve started later, all wanted to leave earlier to get to Santiago sooner.
The route was easy, alternating from paved and soft gravel tracks. A couple of times there were wooded sections, to inject a bit of colour.
It was also a chilly morning, and at A Escravitude, we stopped for warm drinks. A quick visit to the church for the stamp and we joined the flow of pilgrims.
Memories of walking this section with my Camino pals back in 2022 returned as we progressed towards Santiago.
Then after a cold drink at O Milladoiro, we got our first look at the cathedral in the distance. This gave us a boost of energy for the last 6km.
Steadily we arrived at the outskirts following a main road from the south. Our hotel was on route; practicality influenced us to drop off our packs before continuing.
Just before our final stretch, I met the Italian duo I had a meal with back in Marinha. Camino magic to reunite us for the last bit.
We weaved through the crowds, entering the Obradoiro Plaza. Jubilant pilgrims danced around or laid gazing at the cathedral. Then out of nowhere the Canadian and American duo we had been chatting to over the last few days appeared. They gave us a congratulatory hug and took photos for us.
We moved on to get our Compostelas; walking towards us, certificates in hand, were the Irish contingent we’d met on our second day.
Effectively we had reunited with everyone we shared the journey with.
It was time to get a beer, and as per tradition, I took us to Bar Charra. I’ve always had a drink here on every Camino.
Evening was arriving and I needed to clean my pilgrim aroma – we headed back to the hotel to shower.
Everyone was tired and didn’t feel like heading back out. Me and Pete when to a local mercado and got some snacks and drinks for the evening.
Tomorrow we head back to Porto by bus, a four hour trip that just took us 14 days to cover!
Distance: 26.49km
