Padron to Santiago - Volare! Cantare!

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From predawn departure to midday arrival, I felt I was flying. The kilometres peeled away - a strange sensation given my general plodding over the previous 11 days. At the cathedral door, ‘cantare’ - time to sing!

My morning started early, like 5:30 am early. With happy memories from dinner the previous evening.  Almost everyone is heading to Santiago today.
As I stepped out this morning, there was a rumble of thunder and a lightning flash. Thankfully the weather stabilised and I had clear skies and mild temperatures for the rest of the walk - maybe there is an interventionist God.

I followed the footsteps of albergue friends out of town in the dark.
This couple from Portugal shared some of their path side breakfast with me. Camino kindness is alive. I played some breakfast music on the guitalele.

The sun rose and the green pathways reappeared.
Around midmorning I stopped for brunch. Delicious! This saw me through to Santiago.
The Camino Portuguese is a wonderful introduction to the pilgrimage to Santiago - many people ask about staying in albergues and carrying backpacks. I think they’ll come back again. 

Getting closer to Santiago, I passed the herd at one of the last watering holes.
Final approach was mostly through forest paths
Eventually, the pavement returned.
And soon I was in traffic about to cross at the lights into the old city- I had shared lunch here years ago.

The approach to the cathedral brought back so many memories and emotions.
Places that mean so much, places we had stayed.
Then I was back at the cathedral.
The portico of glory is open for business! Wonderful. I headed over to the pilgrim office - to find myself first in line (interventionist God again?)

I had a friendly authentic conversation with the volunteers and collected my Compostela for the Camino Portuguese. By the time I was through the pilgrim wave had reached the shore.
The hotel (yes a private room) was not far. Bliss - a wonderful feeling of relief and accomplishment flooded over me as I placed Sancho on his chair.

I am back in Santiago and enormously grateful to everyone who has helped me - thank you for following and supporting me.😌



Comments

  1. Tess5 July 2025 at 01:57

    Congrats Dad!! Proud of you x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sue Welsh5 July 2025 at 12:46

    Mike and Sanchez, a huge congratulations on making it to Santiago once again !
    As always, I have loved reading about your daily adventures on the Camino. The highs, the lows, the blisters and the glories.
    Well done amigos, and I am looking forward to the next installment.
    One foot in front of the other. And remember :

    No suenes tu vida
    Vive tus suenos

    Take care,

    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5 July 2025 at 16:53

      Thanks Sue - well put - yes - I’m here , working on living dreams 😊

      Delete
  3. Sue Welsh5 July 2025 at 12:48

    Oops, Sancho!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dave8 July 2025 at 07:18

    Well done. What an achievement. You are a model for the young pilgrims you’ve met along the way.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8 July 2025 at 16:30

    🙏

    ReplyDelete

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