LP and VQT

 Posted by LP VQT sitting at cafe in Madrid airport under a sign that says “Wanderlust (n) a strong desire or urge to travel and explore the world” As we walk out of the city, we see the bright blue sky above the bell tower of the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela  Liz (met last year on Portugues Camino), LP, VQT and Michelle (met this year on the Primitivo Camino) outside the restaurant we ate lunch together yesterday/Thursday  LP, VQT, Michelle and Liz enjoying dinner at The Green Room (a veggie restaurant!) on Wednesday evening  We’ve walked, we’ve celebrated…..we are ready to be home :) HUGE and HEARTFELT thanks to everyone who supported us to have this wonderful adventure - I recognize it is a privilege to spend a month walking and exploring (also finding our way, negotiating various challenges, looking for the next place to rest, eat, sleep and do laundry, etc.!) - special appreciation to GJA (previously identified as the most supportive spouse in the world), family and friends

 Posted by VQT  We arrived in Santiago after 23 days of walking (plus 1 rest day in Oviedo) for 24 days on the Camino.  The number 24 is very auspicious.  Our Compostelas are dated 24.9.24   And on this day 2410 pilgrims got a Compostela.    VQT’s Compostela.   This is a trick - this photo was taken in 2022 when we walked the French Way. This photo was taken this year on 24.9.24.   We walked 330 miles (121 on Norte and 209 on Primitivo)  We have stayed in 24 hotels.   VQT had 7 items of clothing. LP had 9 items of clothing. We did laundry 4 times. Undisclosed glasses of wine and beer were consumed. LP has no blisters and no sign of pending toenail loss.  VQT has no blisters but will probably lose both big toe nails. We have been away from home for 29 days. We saw northern rural Spain up close and personal.

Posted by LP Lunchtime today (Wednesday) - Tracey, Michelle, VQT and Tina - celebrating our achievement and new friendships  Lunchtime yesterday (Tuesday) having a beer to help us complete our miles - VQT, Michelle and Tina  Lunchtime Monday, walking past more turbine windmills so still lots many more ups and downs in store for us  Two green doors (and green post/mailbox) on the same house :) 💚 Mannequins (for no reason clear to us) in garden  Other (somewhat sinister) mannequins in another garden (many miles from other mannequins) We passed many small churches that look just like this one  Peter who provides original pen and ink “stamps” for pilgrim’s passports (for donations) Here is the pen and ink pot (with green ink) …..and here is the “stamp” he drew Looking down at VQT and Tina from the Roman wall surrounding the city of Lugo  LP with friendly host of a (very welcome) rest area for hikers = melon, apples, water and a “stamp” for donations  Erin, Isabella and VQT enjoying the ho

 Posted by VQT We did it! LP and VQT at Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.   More photos later.  First we need to celebrate.  

 Posted by VQT Old stone bridge.  Tina, Michelle, VQT, LP Flowers.  Coral & yellow    Arzua city sign.  Tina, LP and VQT  Cow on walk about.   Walking into Santiago represents a victory.  For some it is a moment of unbridled euphoria, a culmination of weeks of exhaustion and joy, self-doubt and discovery.   With the completion of one pilgrimage comes the planning of the next.    Buen Camino.  

Posted by LP - we walked 20 miles today….with a few short breaks it took from 7.30am to 5.30pm - the good news is the weather was cooperative (partly cloudy/sunny, not too hot) - the best news is that we walk to Santiago tomorrow/Tuesday - here are a few photos: Display of old hiking boots and shoes filled with an array of plants  Lovely hiking conditions = sunny, but shady - soft under foot - no inclines or declines  My PR team told me to stay away from green doors, but I couldn’t help myself! LP and Camino friend Tina looking at map  VQT walking up a wooded and shady incline LP and Roberto along the trail - Roberto is a great athlete we’ve seen along the trail - he had to stop hiking because of serious ankle tendon issues….he says he’ll be back to finish the Camino!

 Posted by VQT Pink flowers.  Might be a lily?  Old gate.   Jules, Ella, VQT, Michelle, LP and Tina.   Lars from Germany.  His plastic snack box was meticulously packed.   I asked him about his tattoo - very graphic or stylistic lettering - it translates to I love you.  We haven’t seen Lars often he moves at a much faster pace than we do.   Two old barn doors.   White metal flower on top of a post.   We stayed in Melide last night.  The Primitivo and French routes combine here.  Today the Norte route joins.  We’ll see many more Camino walkers which means more cafes, bars, services, trinket sellers etc.   Today we have a long walk- 18 miles.  We’ll end in Santa Irene.   

Posted by VQT Camiño huskies.  We saw these dogs several times.   Dog house at cafe we stopped at.   Concrete dog house.   Two feisty little yappers   A big drooling mess of a large dog.   Beware of dog tile.   This black& white dog had its head stuck through its fence.   Another concrete dog house.  Sign.  Pilgrim, do not allow dogs to follow you! Most of them have home and become homeless forever when lost! Another scruffy dog out for a walk.   Concrete plaque with a dog image.   A white dog house.   Dog tired.  Michelle, VQT and Tina.     We never reach out to pet any of the dogs we pass.  Most are behind fences and the ones that are loose we talk to and keep going.