Rector, I think one of the hardest days I struck in 2008 was the day between Sarria and Portomarin. The track was full of so many people, many of them chatting loudly on mobile phones, and one with a loud ghetto blaster on his shoulder blaring out music. Plus it turned out to be a very hot afternoon, and Portomarin seemed to never arrive.... That evening, I was tempted to give up on the whole Compostela thing, and just catch the bus to Santiago. Fortunately, I woke up in a better frame of mind, and realised the last 100km was going to be a slightly different beast, but I would just have to get used to that...
Then in 2012 I found myself back in Sarria, having done a 'truncated' three weeks of walking in Spain. In the albergue in Sarria I met a middle-aged Spanish couple who had just arrived to do their Camino. They had 'matching' new clothes and packs etc, and were very excited to be walking. The next morning they were out earlier than me on the road, but I soon met them in the pouring rain, as they retraced their steps, having missed a yellow arrow for a turn-off. Over the next few days, I often met up with them, and sometimes the strain and tiredness showed on their faces. But when I saw them in Santiago, they were so very happy. Their Camino was a very precious, hard-won thing that they had done together. Seeing them holding their Compostelas, I knew only gladness for them.
Buen Camino for your last days of the Camino.
Margaret