Despite having a room to myself and the chance to stay in bed, I was still on the Camino clock and up at 7am.

I had a shower, a luxury to have first thing in the morning. It seems an age ago since I was able to start the day with one – it was bliss!

Once cleaned I went to the cathedral while it was quiet to have my customary visit to St. James’ tomb and tap his statue on the shoulder, before my usual walk around while it was quiet.

Then it was time for breakfast, I picked one of my favourite deysayuno spots, ‘Airas Nunes’, to meet the gang. Comfy chairs, classical music, very civilised for scruffy pilgrims.

I then gave a short tour of the city to my friends, showing the highlights of the cathedral, the first pilgrim and the two Marias. John and Elliot went to the midday pilgrims mass, while Judyta and I waited in the Praza Obradoiro, for Samual and Judith to arrive.

Olivier joined us briefly before he had to catch his bus to Porto. Just before the heavens opened up, they arrived with another familiar face, Sophie from Austria; We had met in Guemes – The Camino has the habit of reuniting pilgrims.

Drinks were in order! John and Elliot joined us briefly after mass, before they had to catch a bus to the airport. Everyone else had to check in to their accommodation, so I took the chance to do a little souvenir shopping and have a drink, before joining everyone for the evening pilgrims mass.

Luck was with us again, the Botafumeiro swung! Three out four visits I have seen it in action! Our bellies were rumbling, prompting us to get food.

Over dinner, we chatted about our adventures on the pilgrimage, showing pictures of the highlights. A great end to another amazing journey.

As I would need an early bus, I said my goodbyes to my friends, I hope to see them again – you never know, the Camino works in mysterious ways.

Here ends my Camino del Norte.

It had to be the quickest 20km I had done, the last day was over in a blink of an eye. The best thing is, we beat the rain!

We had to be out of the albergue by 0800h, and due to some early risers, we were out the door by 0715h.

The route is initially through woodlands and my head torch went into low battery mode. But having done this section three times now, I was pretty much in autopilot.

We all decided to start this morning walking alone, it is always a difficult day getting into Santiago. At ‘Bar 15km’ we gathered for breakfast, then made our ascent up to the airport.

Walking through the familiar eucalyptus woods, past the runway and down into San Paio, calling into the bar for a drink – it wasn’t even 1000h, but it is Santiago day after all!

We moved on getting to the 10km marker, the first time I’ve seen it in day light. I’ve always started from Lavacolla on my last day.

The Hill that I remember was merely a mound for these Basque Country legs, and the long stretch to Monte do Gozo flew by. I made a point of going to the pilgrim statues that overlook the city – I had missed them on my previous Caminos.

The last 5km was littered with tourigrinos, getting in the way. The now familiar streets zoomed by, and the spires of the cathedral came into view. The bagpipes were playing as we passed under the arch into the square.

Even on my fourth visit, the cathedral still had me in awe. I shuck my travelling companions hands and gazed at the cathedral. Once getting our compostelas and a few celebratory drinks, we booked into our respective digs.

As is the Camino we bumped into old faces, and we arranged to have dinner together. Jenny from Colombia, Hugo from Mexico, Ricardo from Spain, Karina from the states, Elliot, John, Judyta and I.

Afterwords we went to a local bar for drinks and a game of pool. A great end to the day.

It really was a culture shock today after spending weeks seeing so few people and little places to stop. The way being full of peregrinos and cafes almost every 2km, feels like a different world.

Another very late start. We were the last out the albergue and we headed straight to a cafe for breakfast. 9 o’clock had been and gone before we set off.

Samual joined us for a short while, he is spending a rest day in Arzúa so friends of his will join him in the evening.

It was another cold start and no real hill to warm me up properly. But the sun was out and it slowly warmed up to be a glorious day – it felt like I’m on holiday.

After a couple of kilometres Samual said his farewells and the four of us continued on. We took it easy, walking as a group, stopping at a few cafes for empanadas and cold drinks – once midday arrived we were on the beers.

The way is so busy, many people walking and a fair share of tourigrinos. Large groups clogged the paths. It’s probably no more than previous years, but having spent the last 35 days in the solitude of the Norte, it really felt crowded.

I now walked familiar paths, enjoying the warm sunshine and the easy pace. Before we knew it we arrived into O Pedrouzo. Feeling in a party mood we went for beers and had food at the Mexican restaurant that gave out wax stamps!

We made some new friends, Gavin from Dublin and Bestin from Australia. I also met Andy and Michelle again – great to see familiar faces among the scores of new pilgrims.

Tomorrow is Santiago. The last day on the Camino. The end of the adventure is upon me.

The Camino gave us a perfect day in all respects, for the last one on the Norte before it joined the hustle and bustle of the Frances.

It was the coldest start of the Camino so far – gloves cold! We all met for breakfast at a cafe just outside the monastery. The place was packed with pilgrims, the most I’ve seen in recent days.

As dawn arrived we set off. Mist clung to the fields that surround the Mosteiro de Santa Maria. I was keen to get warm, so I went full pace to reach the first hill of the day.

Once at the top I was fully warmed up. The route mostly consisted of country roads through the forested green rolling hills of Galicia. At 10km it was time for a break at Boimorto.

The Sun still hadn’t warmed everything up enough to take off my jumper, but it was a lot more comfortable. Continuing on we had the route to ourselves.

Just before Arzúa, the Camino gave us our last farewell to the Norte. Peaceful surrounds, cows grazing in the fields, the sun lazily shining through the trees and only birdsong and our footsteps could be heard. Our last bit of solace before we join the cacophony of the Camino Frances.

Once in town we sat at a bar for a few drinks, slightly in celebration mode. We played a game of ‘spot the tourigrino’ as the pilgrims made their way along the Camino Frances.

Later we all met up for food and drinks. We had to say goodbye to Christavel, who will be pulling a big day to Santiago tomorrow due to commitments, and Samual is spending a rest day in Arzúa to meet up with friends.

The end of the adventure is racing towards me now.

A wet morning in the hills, a cafe that had deliverance vibes and a night in a monastery, not to mention the highest point on the Norte done – quite an eventful day.

Just after 0800h I was out the door with the promise of breakfast in 2km. It was warm and dry at first but rain was on the way. I was hoping to get to the cafe before the deluge arrived, however it was closed.

The route goes over a rocky heath where I caught up with Judyta, just as the rain arrived. Ponchos on and umbrella up, but it wasn’t enough, my trainers were soon wet.

As misery enjoys company we walked together. It was mostly flat with the occasional incline. The terrain was kind with a good respite from road walking when needed.

We got 10km done and there had been nowhere to stop. We sheltered under a bus stop – the rain didn’t let up. We trudged on for another 6km to shelter under a dilapidated barn.

We checked Google maps to only find we were 50m from a cafe. Giggling at the absurdity, we made a dash for it. It’s basically a small farm with a seating area in the kitchen.

Chickens were running free, big German shepherds watched us, and a very strong smell of farmyard and wet dog hung in the air. We took a seat inside at the kitchen table. The owner cooked us up a fresh cheese omelette bocadillo – and I got an earl grey tea to warm up.

The rain had eased off. We continued on and with every step the sky brightened and eventually the Sun came out to play. The walking became easier, and without knowing we passed over the highest point on the Camino Norte. There was no sign indicating this, I only found out after looking at the map once we arrived at Meśon where we had another break.

5km on we arrived into Sobrado in high spirits. We passed a small lake on the way into town that caused us to pause for pictures.

Our albergue for the night is in a monastery, the monk originally from England, booked us in for the night. I took a look around the cloisters and the church with amazing stone masonry. Renovations have been taking place and has transformed the albergue into a modern establishment.

Andy and Michelle are staying here as well, I hadn’t expected to see them again, it was a nice bit of Camino magic.

For once there were a few restaurants open on a Monday and finding something to eat wasn’t a problem. Tomorrow we join the Camino Frances, on the run into Santiago. We will have to book ahead now as it gets busy – I had forgotten how busy the Frances is, it took me three attempts to find some beds!