Going back to the start

Most private Albergues will be unconcerned by your direction or means of travel, but you might wish to consider using hostal or hotel accommodation. As a pilgrim, on foot returning from Santiago your are entitled to use the municipal and parochial Albergues provided you produce your credencial. You could continue to use the credencial that carried you to Santiago or obtain a new one in Pamplona. Back when trains were made up of ox-carts or silk walking was the way everyone got home.

Buen camino

On another thread people are declaring Camino addiction. You may wish to admit such. Tincatinker's advice seems spot on.
Buen camino to you.

Due to general incompetence on my part I bought a flight home from Santander instead of Santiago, and so had to back track to near where I started. I had a few days in hand, and so bused to one of my favourite parts and started walking again towards Santander. I was worried that my credencial would be questioned, given that I had the stamp from Santiago in it, but the reality was no one batted an eyelid, and when I did explain why I was walking again, everyone was just amused at my error. This re walking let me muse on the idea of walking back.
I was told while walking the camino, that tradition said you could tell those who had reached Santiago and were now walking home, by the light in their eyes.
I always thought "By the light in their eyes" would be a good title for a camino book. My favourite walkers with the light in their eyes were a British couple I met who had started walking from their home in France, to Santiago via the Frances and were now walking home via the Norte. He was 82 years old, but said he wasn't allowed to say his wifes age, however he gave a conspiratorial wink and said quietly "between us we have 150 years". I hope you have a great time on the way home.

So, taking a bed from someone headed to Santiago, when there is so much talk about a bed race, so you can save a few € while touring Spain? Hmmm... This is not the same as walking back home from Santiago.

hfenton said:

Is my supposed touring of Spain on my way from Santiago any different from my touring Spain on the way to Santiago? Do we know the intentions of everyone on the Camino and are we going to judge who has a valid reason and who doesn't to be here? I'm not willing to judge anyone else; especially since I haven't walked in their shoes (or boots as the case may be).

Click to expand...

Dear heavens. There is a reason why the crendecial must be filled in "chronological and geographical" oder. A reason why pilgrims are only allowed to,spend one night in an albergue, unless they are ill, injured. A reason why the Compostela is supposed to only be upissued to those walking " devotionis affectu, voti vel pietatis causa (motivated by devotion, vote or mercy)".

You made it very clear the intend was to visit Burgos and Pamplona. That is tourism. That is not subsidised by donations and volunteers.