Can anyone help

10 solid days of walking would take you back to a start at Astorga, perhaps it is not such a good idea to push so hard and Ponferrrada is an alternative start. Both Astorga and Ponferrada can be got to easily by coach if you fly onto Leon from Madrid, this can often be done a little extra cost to your intercontinental flight if you are on the right airline.

Hello skattie!
Have you been in touch with the Confraternity of St James in South Africa? They will also be able to give you advice and inspiration! Contact the CSJ at schultzg (at) iafrica.com. They are based in Cape Town but have chapters and contact people all over the country.
If you want the Compostela – pilgrim’s certificate – you have to walk the last 100kms to Santiago. Many pilgrims start from O’Cebrerio which is 150kms from Santiago. I'm sure you could manage 15 - 20kms a day?
If so, you could fly to Madrid and take an Alsa Coach to Piedrafita which is 5kms from O’Cebreiro. There are two busses - 10h00 arr: 15h50 or or 23h59 arr: 05h20. Then you walk to O’Cebreiro. The cost is ± €25
If you fly Iberia on an Open Jaw ticket, you can book your return flight from Santiago via Madrid and back home.
Geluk!

Hi Beverley;
If your primary goal is to obtain the Compostella this time, I think Sillydoll has the best suggestion. If, on the other hand, you do a little long term planning, there are other options. I myself, startet the Camino in St Jean Pied de Port in France making the way to Logrono in 7 days. I am not doing the entire Camino now, time does not permit, but doing 200-250 km in 10 days was like 1/3-1/4 of the entire way. And the crossing of the Cize Pass, staying over night in Roncesvalle was worth it!
I will return to the Camino - maybe a little later this year - and continue towards Santiago.
Whatever you do, I wish you a Buen Camino!