Ready for home

Today I've been playing 'tourist' and have wandered the gift shops and museums, and even been in the Cathedral.
For lunch I found a tasty vegetable pie -almost as good as 'Greggs Pies' but could have done with a bit more pepper. I could only buy a huge chunk so have saved a piece for tomorrow.
This afternoon I had myself an extended siesta and spent some time going back over my last two weeks on the road. What an amazing experience I hhave enjoyed again. Highs and lows both physically and mentally.
This evening I have found myself drawn back to Charlies bar and another G&T before dinner.
Whilst I have enjoyed my time out on the road I am now more than ready to return to Casa TulStig annd more so to my family tomorrow.
This afternoon Fina (the landlady of the room I am staying in) kindly organised a taxi pick up outside the flat door for tomorrow morning. This afternoon I also wrapped up my sticks hoping the airline wil let me on with them. So I am just about ready to go. .....

Job done.

After a great nigt's sleep I set out  late this morning into the rain. At this point in the journey there is no way to get lost with signs everywhere.
Arriving in Monte de Gozo,where I had planned to stop the night? I decided to carry on to journey's end: Santiago. I arrived in front of the cathedral in pouring rain with a beaming smile on my face.
I'm now settled into a private room and am taking my reward of a G&T  in Charlie's bar (AKA the cafe casino).
Tomorrow I shall play the tourist before flying home on Saturday.
Happy??? You bet I am.

I have now arrived in Pedrouzo and am staying in one of my favourite albergues from 2010: el puerto de Santiago. The hospitalero is kindness itself. The place is spotless and light with background music playing that is truly relaxing. Sitting on my bunk this afternoon was like time travel - all that was missing was Janey. Messaging her through WhatsApp anc both got a little emotional. The Camino can do that to you.
The way today has been clogged with peregrinos an tourigrinos which has made it less fun - I'm not sure that walking with a hello kitty bag on your back full of your cosmetics really makes for a real pilgrimage, but who am I to criticise?!
This afternoon I have had an extended and reviving siesta followed by a hot cafe con leche and tasty pastry. Tonight I shall avail myself of the veggie meal in the cafe across the road, but for now I am super-chilled.
As I get closer to Santiago I am beginning to think that I dont want it to end. In parts its been really hard, close to giving up hard, but I'm still going and feeling good.
Tomorrow I am planning to stay in Monte de Gozo - a 500 bed albergue complex. Apparently the dorms are small and its not as bad as it sounds. Anyway I shall offer a full report tomorrow.

Weighty question.

I'm a little disappointed with the lack of responses to my "what did I call my sticks?" question. Only three entries as far as I can tell. Hedwig says 'leftie and rightie'. Janey suggested 'Nick and Jane', and Ashley has offered 'Bill and Ben'. 
So I thought I'd pose you another...
Before starting the Camino I weighed myself and was a little shocked to find I weighed more than I ever had. So the question is... by the time I get home on Saturday how much weight will I have lost?
Here's a little clue. I can now tighten my belt two more noyches than before.

Dreams, memories and stories.

After a terrible night's sleep,due to the noisiness of a group of teenagers, I set out earlier than intended and was more than pleased to be back in the peace of the countriside.  I 've also been having the weirdest and sometimes disturbing dreams.
Just outside Melide is the 50 km marker, where Jane and I posed for photos two years ago (check pivasa albums). I stopped here again and got a young lady to take another for me.
A little bit further on I crossed a stream on big boulders. More memories of 2010. Then a little further on was the fruit stand where we stopped for raspberries, but sadly today it was bereft of anything.
Much of the walk today was along farm tracks,and some through eucalyptus groves where the smell was intoxicating.
As I was only going as far as Arzua today (about 15kms) it didn't take long to arrive. This was good news as my right foot has been giving me a bit of PN pain today and is still quite sore.
Part of the way I walked with a lovely woman from Colorado, USA,who had a touching story about what brought her to the Camino. I was almost in tears.
I am now in the Albergue de Fonte, which is cosy. Just 6 beds in tbe room, wifi, and all mod cons. On arrival I did a load of washing and dried it in the drier as the skies have been threatening rain all day.
This evening I shall be making myself a light dinner, after a yrip to the shops, and hopefully getting a much better night's sleep.

Melide & memories

After dinner last night I had a chat with the late arrival -an Aussie guy. Phew,not a happy chappy - and you guys downunder call US whinging Poms?!?
A later start again this morning, as all future days will be. The morning started with a mixed climb -both gentle and steep- up to a craggy outcrop. Up here I found the most beautiful purple orchid - Stunning.
A little further on I stopped at a roadside cafe for a coffee, where Lennie and Jan caught up. Len insisted on getting a photo of me, never having seen me with a coffee  before.  A minute or two later Sabine caught up too - it is clear we are all takking it a bit easier today. Sabine and I plan to stay in Melide, whilst L & J are going on to Ribadiso.
Within very litlle time at all we had arrived in Melide. After finding the albergue we found a cafe for one last lunch together on the road. Again the bocadillos were huge and we each ate half, stashing the other half for later.
After lunch we hugged and L & J went on their way and I queued to gst in the albergue, which BTW is really nice.
Showered and freshened I set out to explore the town and find places from my memories of 2010 - Chaplin cafe being fhe main one. Once I had found it and reconnected some memories I bought some cherries and sat in the sun to contemplate.
What a wonferful life I have.....

A relaxing Sunday.

Woke late this morning - around 6.30, then took breakfast in the albergue of toast and juice, before setting out.
A gentle walk of just 15 kms today and for a change Jan,Lennie and I walked all the way together.
Along the roadside and thrpugh the fields and woods to our destination of the day: As Seixas.
The albergue here was built in 2010 and is excellent both in its tranquil location and condition.
On arrival I found some lentils in the drawer so after a shower added a stock cube and the tin of mushrooms i had to make a lentil stew for the 5 of us who had arrived. The other guy didn't like lentils. Jean Claude -the Frenchman got some 0% beer from the vending machine to go with it.
The hospitalera here? Ana, is verry young and a delight. She is so helpful and using my skills of translator. She has brought bread and eggs from her home for thosr who didn't carry food with them. Looks like most will be having tortilla tonight. I have a pack of pasta in cheese sauce!