Heading back soon

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Almost time to bid farewell once again 

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Salceda to Santiago de Compostela- Arrived!

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Today I arrived at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. There was much celebration. Friends ahead of me friends behind me - we watched each other walk in - memories of steep climbs and descents, being alone, being together on the path - came flooding back. There was no need for words - just smiles and hugs, and plans to get together tonight. Head light primed for an early start. I organised with friends further along to meet them for breakfast - I had some kilometres to cover. It was dark. Fortunately, I (sort of) knew the path. I had walked it in daylight - and in the rain and dark before. I stayed here once . . . Years ago, a good friend came back to this place to see if I was alright. It was cold, dark and wet. I had been ill and he checked on me. We walked together to the Cathedral, even singing ‘Volare’ towards the end when I came good. I made breakfast at O Pedrouzo- how wonderful! Everyone wished each other well- some I had seen each day, others not for ages. After breakfast, we bi...
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Santiago to Oviedo - Singing and sauntering

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Arume Bar in Santiago is so welcoming. Bar owner Habin shook my hand as I walked in, and asked me to play. Andoni the resident guitarist saw me and came over, gave me a hug, and we did a set. I love Santiago. My hostel was close by the cathedral. After checking in, I went in search of a beer (well two actually). And something to eat. Later I met Camino friends for  dinner, and suggested we go to the Arume Bar - it was an open mic night. Local artists played including one (Harry) who I knew from Finisterre as well as a Mexican guy who was fabulous. Andoni’s wife sang Stand By Me (blended with Every Breath You Take) with us. Next morning, chocolate con churros hit the spot. The rest of the day was a slow saunter around Santiago. My body appreciated it. I said goodbyes to various Camino friends and had an early night. I dropped the key in the box, left the hostel. I started making my way to the bus station. The cathedral precinct was almost deserted. I sat down in the Plaza Obradoiro ...
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Mollymook to Barcelona - Half the world away

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I have returned to Spain - starting from Mollymook last weekend and arriving in Barcelona yesterday - half a world away.  This Camino experience will be different.  Instead of following one particular path, I will be walking sections of  different routes and taking detours in various places - more free wheeling, as well as volunteering as a hospitalero for a couple of weeks. A hospitalero/a is someone who looks after Camino pilgrims in an albergue - a type of hostel manager (more on that in coming days) Another difference was that this Camino started with a pilgrimage to watch Collingwood play Geelong in Melbourne (Collingwood lost 😞) and the opportunity to visit family and leave from my sister’s front door.  I walked to the tram and took a bus from the city to  the airport, then checked in my pack and prepared for the flight to Barcelona via Dubai. The war in the Middle East had been a concern. After 14 hours, I reached Dubai and had a short stop over. Dubai s...
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