Camino - Reflections

English soil is finally under our feet. A few more hours and a real double bed awaits, with cotton sheets and a douvet, as opposed to a bunk bed with a plastic covered mattress and a sleeping bag.

The possibility of a 'Full English' beckons, as to be quite frank an expresso and a dry biscuit every morning for a month just doesn't cut the mustard.

I neglected to mention the chap from Israel who noted at one Albergue that an American girl had left several items from her pack behind. With pilgrim generosity in heart, he loaded his not already inconsiderable laden rucksack with the additional items, and set off in pursuit.
Two days later he came across the young lady resting at a bar by the roadside. With joy in heart he presented the goods back to the surprised American. He continued on his way to Santiago.
The young American girl had not had the heart to explain that she had left those things behind deliberately, as her pack was too heavy for her!

Several people have asked us if we would do it again. Initially our reaction would be NO, yet as the madness of western living kicks in, the simplicity of the Camino way of life is bizarrely moorish. During the drive home we were chatting about another Camino route that starts in Tuscany and finishes in Rome.

Oh dear, are we finally going native?
Does a padded room await all those pilgrims who swear they will only walk 'just one', yet end up addicted?

Perhaps we should buy shares in Compede...

TTFN

Camino - Trip Home

It was strange to be driving back across Spain, most of the way, passing the towns and landscape we had walked through over the last 4 weeks. What has taken us a month to do on foot, took us a day by car.
For the first time on our voyage we saw a Sunset. This struck us as particularly odd, as we had seen so many sunrises, but were in bed before dark.
Symbolically it seems appropriate that as the Sun was setting on the last day of our time in Spain, having crossed the country from east to west on foot, now hurtling in the other direction at 100 kph with the aid of the internal combustion engine, we watch the last golden rays of fire light up the mountains of the Pyranees. These same peaks which we faced at the beginning of our trek - fresh faced, intrepid and no clue what lay ahead.
In hindsight, we might suspect that we were watched over and kept safe by the millions that have travelled the same path over the centuries. Our way was not easy, but help was always at hand when needed. The human spirit was always evident, and prevailed in all we met, from every nation, creed, and background. We learnt a great deal about the basic goodness, and natural generosity of man when operating in simplicity. Cynicism and complexity only seemed to enter into our lives when time and planning were forced upon us.
Our return journey was just such an occasion where we have been thrown head first back into what now seems like a strange reality.
It may take us a little time to adjust - everything seems such a rush, and incredibly expensive. A bed for the night is 50 euros, rather than 5. Transport from A to B now costs money. And worst of all not only are starters the same price as what used to be for a whole meal, but we now are expected to pay for Alcohol as an extra.
What is the world coming to!
TTFN

Please remember to sponsor us for our completed walk of 500 miles for our chosen charity - Rowcroft Hospice.
www.virginmoneygiving.com/SallyandAustin