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LIVE from the Camino Walking the Via de la Plata with New Friends

Oh, I am so so sorry I didn’t think to alert you to the river walk option into Ourense. It sounds like it would have made your day much more pleasant. Those of us who have walked it cannot figure out why the “camino authorities” don’t use it, because it takes you out of what I have heard is a terribly commercial/industrial outying area.

But in any event, you are there, relaxing and hopefully will get a good night sleep! Sweet dreams, peregrina!
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
It's lovely to have stumbled upon your thread, alerted to it by some Forum friends!
Your words and photos are wonderful.

I had to build that up from 0 several times after my heart attack and later complications, and now I just ′′ run ′′ up a big mountain without a struggle 🙏🙏🙏
May I say I am in awe? Well done!

Sarah has now decided to buy new shoes in the first sports shop we come across, determined to complete her camino to Santiago!
(I added a picture of Sarah's blister, tips are welcome)
That was a very good move. I had blisters on blisters - unusual for me - on my last camino, but as soon as I changed shoes, they began to heal. A tiny bit of not fitting right may not matter if you walk one day at a time, but on a Camino, the cumulative injury can wreak havoc. I hope her feet are happier!
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Ok, so this was yesterday (no wifi);
Day 41 Via de la Plata/Sanabres from Ourense to Monasterio Oseira, 33.4km.

Another long and sleepless night, with a nice lesson in "expectations"...
Instead of sleeping in the albergue municipal because of "bad" reviews, I had given myself a night in a "pilgrimfriendly" hostal in Ourense...

Perfect. Only it is carnival and in the absence of pilgrims, this hostel was now full of carnival-celebrating young people.
Really fantastic for your night's sleep 🥴🥳🥴
Especially when they all have an extensive dinner at midnight in the communeal area, just one door away from my dormitory 👌

In addition, I found out that my planning of the upcoming daily stages would not work, due to a closed albergue. And my alternative plan involved a much longer stretch for today. Well, why not...
I was awake early anyway (the youth came ′′ home ′′) 🙈🥳

Ok so, tired and somewhat grumpy I left in the morning darkness, and the knowledge that I would also have to climb up to 500 meters in the first 7 km didn't make it any better 🫨🫨🫨

With the rising of the sun also came the realization that I had a choice; stay grumpy about something that had already happened or leave it behind me and enjoy this beautiful day...
And enjoying it became ❤️❤️❤️

Beautiful day, beautiful route, and so warm that I could zip off my pants 🤩

I arrived in Cea, which would have been my original destination (24km), and took a long break. I did the right route from Ourense to Cea by the way, thanks everyone for your input ❤️🙏🙏❤️
So a break in Cea, and the funny thing is that I was actually happy that I was "allowed" to continue for another 9 km, because I wasn't tired yet and what else would I do with the rest of my day? 🤣🤣🤣

The trip from Cea to the monastery of Oseira was breathtakingly beautiful, pure enjoyment 👌
Just before 6 pm I arrived at the monastery, Sarah had arrived just before me.
At 6.15 pm there was a mass in a small chapel in the monastery, with eight monks who were singing for 45 minutes. Very special...serene, peaceful..
No photos of it, that was not allowed.

Then to the only cafe in this village ... what a contrast ... we fell with our noses in ... CARNIVAL. With Barbie 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🤣🤣🙈🙈🙈🙈

Anyway, we fled quickly after an overpriced and very meager meal, the noice and party-energy were too much for me 🤪

Sarah is here and doing well. Although she, too, had a sleepless night in another hostel. However, that had everything to do with a crazy washing machine, but I'll save this story for tomorrow 😏
I'm tired and Sarah has asked me to take a look at her feet.
She will take a day break here tomorrow, I will continue to Laxe, a distance of about 30 km...
 

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Day 42 Via de la Plata/Sanabres from Oseira to Laxe, 29.8km.

This morning I woke up in time for another long stage. Sarah had already fallen asleep last night before I had the chance to take care of her feet, so that had to be done in the morning.

Then we said goodbye; Sarah would take a rest day at the monastery...We would meet again in Santiago!
But...with our goodbye hug Sarah already started to realize; in the municipal there would be no company and no wifi, with the possibility that she would have to leave the albergue between 9 am and 1 pm... The only café was closed, so no coffee and, more importantly... no food!
No shops either, and even if there were... it's Sunday so everything is closed 🥴

So, less than half an hour later, as I was struggling up a mountain, I received a text from Sarah...
"I packed my backpack and I am behind you"...🤣🤣🤣
I really don't seem able to get rid of this girl 😝🤷‍♀️🤣
Every time we think we say goodbye, the Camino decides differently...apparently this is really "our" journey and this is meant to be...

That turned out later too... The first 10 km of today were a hell of a struggle. Steep uphill, steep downhill, rocks, boulders, even more uphill. After 2 hours I had covered 6 km, my legs felt like porridge and my energy level had dropped below freezing point. "How?", was all I could think, realizing that I still had about 24 km to go...🥴😰

And although the physical fatigue was very present today, I know from experience that the mindset actually weighs much heavier...the more I think in terms of "fatigue/pain/exhaustion/don't feel like it/don't want to ×100🤪/cannot ×1000🥴, the more miserable I make myself.
But pulling myself out of that when the body struggles so much isn't always easy..

And then there was Sarah ❤️🙏🙏❤️
During my first break after 10km at a gas station I found out that Sarah was less than 1km behind me. I decided to wait to continue walking together from there.
Sarah also said that she had had a pretty rough time...

And then the kilometers passed under our feet automatically during the ongoing intense and amusing conversation that rippled on for hours. With our attention no longer on our exhausted bodies but on each other, the beautiful surroundings and the necessary self-mockery, we were once again able to cover the distance without any significant problems.
Apparently though we are not the only pilgrims who have a hard time on this stage... We came across twenty posters of "taxi peregrino" 🤣🤣🤣 We never seriously considered it, however we did fantasize about stealing cars, or an occasional tractor which was just standing there in the middle of nowhere 😝

And now because of the unplanned long stages due to lack of places to sleep, we are only 50km away from Santiago...and I still have 3 days to go! Of course I don't want to walk onto the square in Santiago until Axx is waiting there for me 😊😍

So three quiet days ahead, all between 16 and 18 km. Great 😊👌
Just some "relaxing" days and...Sarah's feet look much better! Good chance that we will eventually walk into Santiago together 🤩...
 

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Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Buenos diás Karin.
very good to see the photograph of the embalse you looked down on from a grest height on 14th Feb. We walked that way at the end of May last year and it was much emptier. Whilst still not full it is somewhat reassuring to see the level has risen significantl.
Thank you so very much for using your time and energy at the end of your long and strenuous days to let us all know how you are and where you are and how each day has been for you. It is such a joy to read how you are doing and then relive memories from when I and a friend walked the VdlP last Spring. I know I’m not at all alone in saying what a real treat and huge delight it is reading your posts. Muchas gracias !! A zillion thankyous and all strength to your feet, not far to go now. I am excited for you as you near Santiago
¡Ultreia!
Shona
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Day 43 Via de la Plata/Sanabres, from Laxe to Bandeira, 17.5km.

A nice walk today, not particularly difficult, except for a small flood 🚣🤣🚣. Not very beautiful either, although some beautiful parts through the forest, but also more through inhabited and urban areas.
I took it slow and easy today, mainly to stay close to Sarah, who had a really hard time.
She's in pain, a lot of pain. She suspects new blisters underneath her tape, which she is now peeling off in the shower.
That will probably be another serious job tonight, but I'm happy to help her ❤️

Her achilles heel is also playing up a lot and I see her struggle. I do a deep bow for her...
Yes, also for me this Camino was and is hard and sometimes painful and tiring with very, VERY challenging conditions...
But how I admire her perseverance and determination, knowing in how much pain she is…and still moving on…with a smile, sometimes a tear… How beautiful it is that we were meant to become friends on this shared journey ❤️🙏🙏❤️

And now she enters the dorm, with a huge new blister on her heel 😰🥺
So there is work to be done! Tomorrow we have16 km and Wednesday 17 km ahead.
That will happen, even if I have to carry her... We have come this far! Now we're really going to walk into Santiago together 💪🤞🤞💪
Btw, internet is too weak to upload the photos. I will do that tomorrow..
 
Day 43 Via de la Plata/Sanabres, from Laxe to Bandeira, 17.5km.

A nice walk today, not particularly difficult, except for a small flood 🚣🤣🚣. Not very beautiful either, although some beautiful parts through the forest, but also more through inhabited and urban areas.
I took it slow and easy today, mainly to stay close to Sarah, who had a really hard time.
She's in pain, a lot of pain. She suspects new blisters underneath her tape, which she is now peeling off in the shower.
That will probably be another serious job tonight, but I'm happy to help her ❤️

Her achilles heel is also playing up a lot and I see her struggle. I do a deep bow for her...
Yes, also for me this Camino was and is hard and sometimes painful and tiring with very, VERY challenging conditions...
But how I admire her perseverance and determination, knowing in how much pain she is…and still moving on…with a smile, sometimes a tear… How beautiful it is that we were meant to become friends on this shared journey ❤️🙏🙏❤️

And now she enters the dorm, with a huge new blister on her heel 😰🥺
So there is work to be done! Tomorrow we have16 km and Wednesday 17 km ahead.
That will happen, even if I have to carry her... We have come this far! Now we're really going to walk into Santiago together 💪🤞🤞💪
Btw, internet is too weak to upload the photos. I will do that tomorrow..
Wow Karin, I am in awe of your positivity and stamina. And Sarah as well. She must be really struggling with all her problems with her feet. Hope the last two days go well for you both and you can walk into Santiago together.
 
Karin, chapeau! And yes, also to Sarah.
I think a little note here could be useful to those who are first time Camino pilgrims: put in some kilometres in advance wearing your choice of footwear.
It is almost arrival time! Just be aware of the host of camino watchers at your shoulders as you enter the Praza!!!
!Felicitaciones!
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Yesterday's photos...
 

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It is almost arrival time! Just be aware of the host of camino watchers at your shoulders as you enter the Praza!!!
!Felicitaciones!
My thoughts too Kirkie ❤️

Karin and Sarah
You might not be able to see us as you walk into the square - but we will be with you ❤️❤️❤️❤️ and waving

It’s been a long and hard walk but ‘what a walk’. What memories!!! What a friendship ❤️
Buen camino.
 
Day 44 Via de la Plata/Sanabres from Bandeira to Outeiro, 17.6km.

Another short stage today after a somewhat late start; I first taped Sarah's feet again; luckily her new blister had dried up well during the night and she was in considerably less pain.
So it was almost ten o'clock when we left, and because I had a scheduled phonecall in the afternoon, we each decided to walk at our own pace.
Sarah went into a cafe for her cup of morningcoffee, I walked on in a slow pace. Alternating through villages and forest, sometimes ascending, sometimes descending, but no major challenges.
Although...I came across two terribly barking dogs that I didn't pay attention to, until one actually bit me in my leg 🫨...the bitch 😠
I was a bit shocked, I consider dogs usually to be my friends, but it was no more than a "warning"-bite and there wasn't even a hole in my pants.
A little further on I was overtaken by a pilgrim when I had a small break... the same pilgrim Sarah had encountered in the shoe shop, with the same paiful problem.
Funny to meet him now and we walked together for a while, to talk about the ups and downs of pilgrim life in the meantime.
Shoes, blisters, backpacks, hostels, the cold, the long stages...everything was covered. But the subject we talked about the most was FOOD. The lack of (good) food, shops, kitchens to be able to prepare something warm at all, and the food we now dream of.... And the strange phenomenon that even when my stomach is full, I still feel that my body is still hungry..

Anyway, with everything I plan to eat it won't be long before I'm 5 kg heavier again 🤣🤣🤣

After doing some shopping at the Carrefour I walked the last 4km on my own, as my new partner was due for a long break.
And again the sting was in the tail; a "nice" climb 😤 through a forest with a considerably heavier backpack. I arrived at the albergue at 2.30 pm and, despite the weatherforecasts, it had once again stayed dry during my entire walk ☺️👌...

Unfortunately, that was not the case for Sarah and the other pilgrims who were still on their way behind me. Around 3 pm the heaven literally opened...😯😯😯 and not a little too...
What a load of rain has fallen from the sky here in half an hour...Of course I was glad I didn't walk in that but what did I have to do with Sarah and the others...

Eventually they trickled in one by one (literally 😝), soaking wet and steaming.
Fortunately Sarah had walked with much less pain and was quite laconic about it 😊👌

The dormitory is now fairly full, with four other pilgrims besides Sarah and me. And although remembering names is not my best quality, we had nice conversations and shared experiences ❤️🙏🙏❤️
And tomorrow we will all arrive in Santiago 😁👌
Just one other pilgrim will, like me, continue to Fisterre, the will rest stop, for now ... until the Camino calls them again ...❤️🙏❤️

See you tomorrow, see you in Santiago!🤩🤩🤩
 

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The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Hola Karin
Thanks so much for all your posts. I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey from day 1. Now, I have a Personal question for you ??
....and pls ABSOLUTELY no rush to reply as I know you have the most exciting days ahead. 😋

....Readers of this thread, are aware of your Heart related issues but could you provide more detail on this & your recovery pre Camino....& how you have managed to prepare yourself... healthwise, fitnesswise, dietwise & mentally for such a long Camino.
I'm guessing there are others like me ( recent Heart op) that have doubts pondering their next Camino with doubts and would love to hear more of your story.
Thank you
Rodney.
(Btw forum readers.. I have Karin's permission to ask this ?, so pls, no arrows from those that feel the urge 😵 ).
 
your last full day of walking, (until you set off west again,)with this happy crowd of peregrinos walking along with you. Watch out for the lane when you suddenly see the towers of Santiago Cathedral for the first time….
will you spend a few days in Santiago and have a rest or are you walking on to Fisterre tomorrow?
best, best wishes to you and Sarah
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Day 45, Via de la Plata/Sanabres, from Outeiro to Santiago, 18.5km.
Day 46, Santiago.

The last stage to Santiago.... For weeks it seemed so far away and now suddenly the day is there...
We had a relaxed start, our fellow pilgrims had left the dorm early but Sarah and I were in no rush...
Axx wouldn't be on the square in front of the cathedral until 2 pm, so we had plenty of time for this relatively short stage.
Sarah was still walking in pain and I adjusted my pace to her, I wanted to arrive with her anyway and so we walked calmly and again in pleasant and reflective conversations towards Santiago. What a journey we've had...and what a friendship that has resulted from it ❤️🙏🙏❤️

We stopped twice in a cafe, where both times we met a peregrina who knew us from my blog. Very funny and pleasant.

Then there was the moment... the towers of the cathedral that suddenly came into view... it was so impressive ..🙏
The second time for me...and with it the realization of how my life, my world, and especially how I have changed, developed and grown as a human being since I walked into Santiago for the first time...
Axx was standing on the square, and in his arms I laughed and cried at the same time ❤️❤️❤️

What a release, what an achievement...

Also there were Sobby and Owen, and later Jeppe and our German basket maker. We also met the peregrina from the cafe (sorry, I'm soooo bad at remembering names 🙈) on the square.

Axx treated Sarah and me to a luxurious and delicious lunch... finally good food 😋😋😋
Then we rested in our hotels, attended evening mass in the Cathedral and had the catholic ceremony on Ash-Wednesday.
We had a late dinner also together with Jeppe and then... rest.
Lovely hotel next to the square, warm, nice shower ... and with a view of the cathedral 🤩👌

Today we got our compostelas, did the laundry, had a late breakfast with Sarah and again already preparing for the continuation of my Camino tomorrow towards Fisterre with Axx. Another 4 days of walking, 90km, what a joy 🤩🥳😍

Sarah will stay in Santiago but will be there to welcome us on the 27th in Fisterre, where she will go by car. So again a reunion, on the beach 👌 ❤️🥳🤩

Santiago was beautiful, but not the end...and so I will continue writing...See you all tomorrow 😀🤩👌
 

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Day 45, Via de la Plata/Sanabres, from Outeiro to Santiago, 18.5km.
Day 46, Santiago.

The last stage to Santiago.... For weeks it seemed so far away and now suddenly the day is there...
We had a relaxed start, our fellow pilgrims had left the dorm early but Sarah and I were in no rush...
Axx wouldn't be on the square in front of the cathedral until 2 pm, so we had plenty of time for this relatively short stage.
Sarah was still walking in pain and I adjusted my pace to her, I wanted to arrive with her anyway and so we walked calmly and again in pleasant and reflective conversations towards Santiago. What a journey we've had...and what a friendship that has resulted from it ❤️🙏🙏❤️

We stopped twice in a cafe, where both times we met a peregrina who knew us from my blog. Very funny and pleasant.

Then there was the moment... the towers of the cathedral that suddenly came into view... it was so impressive ..🙏
The second time for me...and with it the realization of how my life, my world, and especially how I have changed, developed and grown as a human being since I walked into Santiago for the first time...
Axx was standing on the square, and in his arms I laughed and cried at the same time ❤️❤️❤️

What a release, what an achievement...

Also there were Sobby and Owen, and later Jeppe and our German basket maker. We also met the peregrina from the cafe (sorry, I'm soooo bad at remembering names 🙈) on the square.

Axx treated Sarah and me to a luxurious and delicious lunch... finally good food 😋😋😋
Then we rested in our hotels, attended evening mass in the Cathedral and had the catholic ceremony on Ash-Wednesday.
We had a late dinner also together with Jeppe and then... rest.
Lovely hotel next to the square, warm, nice shower ... and with a view of the cathedral 🤩👌

Today we got our compostelas, did the laundry, had a late breakfast with Sarah and again already preparing for the continuation of my Camino tomorrow towards Fisterre with Axx. Another 4 days of walking, 90km, what a joy 🤩🥳😍

Sarah will stay in Santiago but will be there to welcome us on the 27th in Fisterre, where she will go by car. So again a reunion, on the beach 👌 ❤️🥳🤩

Santiago was beautiful, but not the end...and so I will continue writing...See you all tomorrow 😀🤩👌
Enhorabuena, Karin! (And Sarah!) I’ve enjoyed every post and have kept you in my prayers—will continue to, as you keep walking…Ultreia! can’t wait to read what is next ❤️❤️❤️
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Hola Karin
Thanks so much for all your posts. I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey from day 1. Now, I have a Personal question for you ??
....and pls ABSOLUTELY no rush to reply as I know you have the most exciting days ahead. 😋

....Readers of this thread, are aware of your Heart related issues but could you provide more detail on this & your recovery pre Camino....& how you have managed to prepare yourself... healthwise, fitnesswise, dietwise & mentally for such a long Camino.
I'm guessing there are others like me ( recent Heart op) that have doubts pondering their next Camino with doubts and would love to hear more of your story.
Thank you
Rodney.
(Btw forum readers.. I have Karin's permission to ask this ?, so pls, no arrows from those that feel the urge 😵 ).
Hi RodlaRob,
Im happy to answer your questions and will get back on it on this thread within a few days, for whom is interested 😊👌🙏
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Congrats!
Do you still have to register on the Pilgrim Office website to get a time to get your compostella?
No, just scan the qr code in front of the office and open the URL. Then you fill in the form online.
 
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
Day 45, Via de la Plata/Sanabres, from Outeiro to Santiago, 18.5km.
Day 46, Santiago.

The last stage to Santiago.... For weeks it seemed so far away and now suddenly the day is there...
We had a relaxed start, our fellow pilgrims had left the dorm early but Sarah and I were in no rush...
Axx wouldn't be on the square in front of the cathedral until 2 pm, so we had plenty of time for this relatively short stage.
Sarah was still walking in pain and I adjusted my pace to her, I wanted to arrive with her anyway and so we walked calmly and again in pleasant and reflective conversations towards Santiago. What a journey we've had...and what a friendship that has resulted from it ❤️🙏🙏❤️

We stopped twice in a cafe, where both times we met a peregrina who knew us from my blog. Very funny and pleasant.

Then there was the moment... the towers of the cathedral that suddenly came into view... it was so impressive ..🙏
The second time for me...and with it the realization of how my life, my world, and especially how I have changed, developed and grown as a human being since I walked into Santiago for the first time...
Axx was standing on the square, and in his arms I laughed and cried at the same time ❤️❤️❤️

What a release, what an achievement...

Also there were Sobby and Owen, and later Jeppe and our German basket maker. We also met the peregrina from the cafe (sorry, I'm soooo bad at remembering names 🙈) on the square.

Axx treated Sarah and me to a luxurious and delicious lunch... finally good food 😋😋😋
Then we rested in our hotels, attended evening mass in the Cathedral and had the catholic ceremony on Ash-Wednesday.
We had a late dinner also together with Jeppe and then... rest.
Lovely hotel next to the square, warm, nice shower ... and with a view of the cathedral 🤩👌

Today we got our compostelas, did the laundry, had a late breakfast with Sarah and again already preparing for the continuation of my Camino tomorrow towards Fisterre with Axx. Another 4 days of walking, 90km, what a joy 🤩🥳😍

Sarah will stay in Santiago but will be there to welcome us on the 27th in Fisterre, where she will go by car. So again a reunion, on the beach 👌 ❤️🥳🤩

Santiago was beautiful, but not the end...and so I will continue writing...See you all tomorrow 😀🤩👌
Congratulations. Your blog was addictive and so many were cheering you on. I am full of admiration
 
Day 47 Via de la Plata/Sanabres/Fisterre, from Santiago to Alto da Peña, 30.4km.

After a day of "rest" and fun in Santiago, the alarm went off again early this morning. Actually I liked it! Santiago was never the end point for me and I noticed that after a day of rest my body feels like having a walk again 😁👌

It was quite funny to do the morning ritual of preparation and packing with Axx now, instead of with Sarah. It would have been nice if Sarah could have walked along with us too, but that was really no longer doable for her poor feet. Fortunately, she now has her own party in Santiago because her daughter flew over to be with her for a few days.
And our bonus is that Sarah comes to Fisterre with Axx's car, so we don't have to carry a lot of heavy luggage, including the tent and sleeping mats.
Because yes, we plan to camp for a night on the small beach in Fisterre... more about that later... 🤩

Anyway, we left on time this morning, with wonderfully lightweight backpacks on our backs! It was pretty cold but luckily dry, and despite previous predictions it stayed that way 👌

We had a wonderful walk together, chatted a lot, walked nicely at the same pace and had a nice picnic outside on a bench along the way. Although I am of course now quite trained and this is Axx's "first" walking day (he is an experienced pilgrim of course), he walked like a champ and the distance didn't seem to bother him 🤩❤️👌

On the way we also met Owen again, with whom we had a nice conversation.

All in all, the kilometers flew by, and soon we will have a delicious meal, or so we hope 🤞🤞🤞... in the bar of the albergue. A fantastic day, how nice that we are going to walk a bit further tomorrow 🥳🤣😝 To be continued 👌
 

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...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Day 48 Via de la Plata/Sanabres/Fisterre, from Alto da Peña to Olveiroa, 25.5km.

The day started with a hearty breakfast at the inn's cafe in Alto da Peña. Well cared for, lavish and very friendly owners.
Then continuing the path in the fog, and it soon started to rain.

Now I have been VERY spoiled this Camino. Until the last stage to Santiago, I wore my rainwear for exactly one hour (!!!!!!!!!). An hour in 45 days... not bad 🤩🥳🙏
The day to Santiago was a little bit wet, today it rained a bit more. But it was still a pleasant and beautiful walk, with unfortunately few pictures because of the rain.

On the way we also met a pilgrim who had walked the route Frances, with a very impressive story. He became very ill in 2016 due to a brain tumor, and after his treatment he really had to learn everything again; walk, talk, even think.
This is now his 5th Camino, while a few years ago it was an impossible task for him to get from the bed to the toilet.

Impressive ❤️🙏🙏❤️
And also partly recognizable... the perseverance and the willpower to rebuild your body and life after a serious illness are not strange to me!

And so are stories like this on the Camino....I have already met so many pilgrims during my Caminos, but also while working in the albergue, who not only despite but often also because of a serious illness have developed a wish and willpower to walk one or more Caminos.
To become (even more) strong physically and mentally with every step they take...

And so this day was filled with intense and beautiful conversations, on a rainy Camino day. No chance for a picnic outside, but a late lunch/early dinner in the restaurant of our inn.
Particularly good food, a wonderful shower, and now bulging out in our bed 🤩👌

Tomorrow about 20 km ahead, with the forecast of dry and sunny weather 😁👌🤞

To be continued...
 

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Hi Karin and Axx, you two are doing great. Nice pictures and the food looks delicious. You have been lucky 🍀 with dry but cold weather. Probably tomorrow it will be better again, but still cold.
Buon Camino Paul
 
Day 49 Via de la Plata/Sanabres/Fisterre from Olveiroa to Corcubion, 22.2km.

This morning we had a delicious breakfast in the restaurant of the albergue, again tasty for a change 😋😋😋

After that an easy and peaceful start on this bright and sunny day 🤩👌
It was a beautiful walk today, the most beautiful in my opinion in this stretch from Santiago to Fisterre! Nice trails, beautiful nature, and finally with the view of the sea in the distance... getting closer and closer.

This day was pure joy. From the route, the beauty, the scents of nature... from each other's company and the pleasantly babbling conversations about the upcoming pilgrim season in the albergue and our plans for the future 🤩👌
And once again I'm realizing...the difference in how I am walking here now, compared to my first Camino in 2021...grateful for how I myself, and the circumstances of my life have changed so much ❤️🙏🙏❤️

Today our destination was Corcubion, and just like yesterday we opted for a late lunch/early dinner. In a fantastic restaurant on the waterside, outside on the terrace in a radiant sun, a lavish and delicious meal, what a pleasure!

After that we were looking for our apartment, it was a bit of a search but it is beautiful. A whole apartment, spotlessly clean, kitchen, washing machine, wonderful bed and a balcony with a view of the sea for only 50 euros for the two of us 🤩👌

We've now settled in nicely, and tomorrow we're in no hurry...so we first have a quiet breakfast on "our" balcony and then walk the remaining 10 km to the center of Fisterre. There we will meet Sarah by noon ❤️🙏🙏❤️

At the end of the afternoon I will then, by myself, cover the remaining 3.5 km to the end point, the lighthouse. Axx follows me by car, so that we can drive back to our hotel in Fisterre after sunset. And after that we will stay another day and night, hopefully in our tent on the beach...
But that's for later!

Our dear friend Sarah drove Axx's car to Fisterre today and just enjoyed her sunset at the "end of the world". Tomorrow in the late afternoon she will travel back to Santiago, and then to Germany. Fortunately it's a goodbye for a short period of time... in April she will come to visit us in Saint Jean Pied de Port 🤩🙏👌

For now, I still can't believe that tomorrow will be my last day of walking... that is, until my next Camino of course😏

Tomorrow will be for me with me...but the day after tomorrow I will write about this last day, hopefully even from the tent on the beach.. 😝
And for those who liked following me and enjoyed my stories...I intend to keep writing! Not daily, but hopefully weekly, about my and our adventures as a hospitalera in Saint Jean Pied de Port, and life "on" and especially "in the service of" the Camino.
I'm not going to do this on this page, but on the page of the albergue. I will mention the name in my last blog the day after tomorrow, for anyone who wants to keep following me 🙂

Now it's time to go to sleep. Tomorrow the end of the world awaits 🤩
 

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€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Day 50 (!!!) Via de la Plata/Sanabres/Fisterre, from Corcubion to Fisterre Lighthouse, 15km.

This last sun-drenched day was magical, and actually much too short. A beautiful route, babbling conversations with Axx, and so the kilometers actually passed much too fast!

The question "am I ready to finish this Camino" haunted my mind for almost the entire walk. Honestly; no.... And also physically I feel so strong now that I could walk forever; a walk around the world now seems very attractive 🤩👌

Yet the number of miles between me and "the end of the earth" diminished inexorably, and I also feel an intense peace in it..."It's okay❤️🙏"

Because this is not the end of my Camino...And January 8 wasn't even the beginning! The beginning was in 2021, when I closed the door behind me and started my first Camino, from my home, which would never really be my Home after that...

A life on the Camino ever since ...and also a start of an inner journey that goes on and on, the Camino that changes me as a person, in how I experience world and myself, a journey that will continue. And I am so grateful for that ❤️🙏🙏❤️

And so, this Camino too is "only" a chapter in the book of my pilgrimage. And so it's good to walk to the end point!

We arrive at Langosteira beach, where Jeppe and Sarah are waiting for us 🤩🥳
Axx decides to follow the ancient tradition and undresses for a dip in the sea 🫨🥶💪😁
"In the old days" when pilgrims arrived on this beach it was often their first bath in weeks or months, after which they also traditionally burned their clothes...
The burning is no longer allowed and so we leave it out 🤪, but Axx won't let the dive into the sea be taken away from him and we watch with admiration and vicarious freezing symptoms 🥶🤣🤣🤣

This is one of the few times I'm "grateful" that I can't / shouldn't do something because of my heart condition 😏😇😝
Of course I like to take pictures of this heroic act 🤩

Afterwards we have lunch with Sarah and Jeppe, again very nice to end this together. Still, I'm a bit on restless...the end of the world is still waiting...I'm not done yet!

We check in at our hotel, and because I haven't been able to take a dip in the sea, I catch up by taking an extensive bath in the Jacuzzi in our hotel room 🛀🛀🛀🥳🤩

From weeks of "suffering" on long stages, unheated frozen inns, no hot water, limited and boring food, to a jacuzzi on the last day, eating chocolate bonbons while bubbling....🤩🥳🥳🤩

The sunset is approaching, so I get dressed. Time to walk to the end of the world! Axx follows me by car a little later... at least that's the plan, until he is stopped by a roadblock and therefore has to walk the last kilometers too 🤣

So I'm walking alone for a while, which is good...to walk these last kilometers alone with myself. And these too go way too fast! I pick out the same place on the rocks as in 2021, and sit in silent reverie until Axx joins me and then we sit together ❤️❤️❤️

What a journey, what an adventure, what an inner journey. This Camino, this chapter of my pilgrim life, has brought me a lot. Many of you have been able to read that and so much has not yet been said...I could write a book...

This Camino counted 1106 kilometers / 691 miles, and I took a whopping 1,581,149 steps on the path. I am grateful for every moment, every encounter, of course and especially for Sarah ❤️❤️❤️, with whom I formed a friendship for life ❤️🙏🙏❤️
And for all the support and encouragement from "my" followers; Axx, family, friends, fellow pilgrims, everyone from the Facebook groups. You all made my Camino a lot more beautiful ❤️🙏🙏❤️

It only remains for me to say two things.

First of all, due to popular demand and also because I like it myself, I decided to continue writing about my life as a hospitalera on the camino, not every day but hopefully every week...from the end of March.
I will do this on the Facebook page;

Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques

This is a public page that anyone who wants to can follow, you are very welcome! You don't have to submit a friend request since it is a public page, you can click "follow" and you will automatically see my new posts appear... But please be patient... I will start at the end of March 😏🙏

And one more thing...in the gite in Saint Jean Pied de Port we are always looking for new challenges and opportunities to contribute to the pilgrim community, and in the middle of coming summer (check-in 8/8, check-out 14/8 ) we have planned a yoga/meditation retreat aimed at pilgrims who possibly want to start (part of) the Camino from August 14.
For those who think it would be nice to prepare themselves physically as well as mentally/spiritually in a multi-day retreat.... We are still in the process of preparing/designing, but in general the program will look like this;
Check-in and welcoming August 8.
From 9 to 13 August each morning and evening a yoga/meditation session of 2/2.5 hours, of course provided by professional yoga/meditation instructors (including Sarah ❤️🙏🙏❤️)
Depending on the weather, this can even be done on our large terrace overlooking the Pyrenees 🤩
A workshop foot and blister care in combination with carrying/packing a backpack, do's and don'ts.
In consultation and according to the desires of the group, we organize different hikes and a bike ride during the day (rental bike included)
All this on a full board basis (you make your own packed lunch at breakfast), fully vegetarian and in terms of drinks we serve water/tea/coffee/juice.
The price for all this is 500 euros, and the group will consist of a maximum of 8 participants.
We are very curious if there is interest in this, and are also very much looking forward to this way of giving a "deepening" to a (start of a) camino, for those who want it.
Of course, the hostel is exclusively for participants of the retreat during this week! For more information you can always send me a message 🙂👌

Well, for now, that's it. We're going to walk around Fisterre a bit, maybe camp on the small beach...but it's REALLY cold and the wind is blowing pretty hard too...so maybe we'll leave that plan for my next Camino...we'll see 😊🙏❤️

Thank you all, for your support and heartwarming comments, and hopefully see you on the fb page of the gite!

😘🤩❤️🙏
 

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...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Wow, Wow, WOW, Karin! What a journey and what courage and determination you’ve shown on this long camino. Your generosity has shone throughout your whole camino. Your pilgrim heart is amazing, truly amazing ❤️❤️❤️.

Sarah too has showed courage and determination and what a wonderful friendship you both now have, forged through challenges and adversity.

Congratulations to you both, to Axx and to all who walked with you or met you.

Huge Camino hugs from Oz -
Jenny
 
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
And according to the questions about walking a camino with heartdisease...I have not forgotten, I will get back on that in a few days ❤️🙏🙏❤️

My heart was filled with every last one of your posts.

May your heart beat strong today, tomorrow, and more.

Buen camino.
 
Last edited:
Hello Sunshine,
then "we" did it....... 😉
Again bow and heartfelt appreciation.

Unfortunately no hug this time. I will make up for it "personally" at the start of the CF in Holy Week. 😀😃 😀

Will (hopefully) have a quick toast with you - until then

a firm hold and "wonderful" thoughts.....

A ❤️
 

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