Home at last.

Spent Sunday afternoon to Tuesday morning at Lisbon. Again, I stayed at the pensao Nova Goa who were good to hold a bag of clean clothes etc for me for the time I was on the walk. Monday did the tourist stuff. I am now a tourist not a peregrino! Open top bus tour of Lisboa Monday morning. Got off at the Tower of Belem, and walked down to the Monument to the Navigators, reflecting Portugal's great age of discovery in the 14th and 15th centurys (think Vasco de Gama, Bartholemu Dias, Henry the Navigator, Ferdinad Magellan?, discovery of Brazil, first to round the African continent, expeditions to India). The Tower of Belem was built to defend the Rio Tagus. Walked under the road to get to the Monasteirio Geronimos. I was looking forward to this, as I went there in 1993 with Patty. Closed on Mondays! B!!. Caught a tram back to Lisbon, as the tourist bus was a PITA to find and get on. Later in the evening took the cheap harbour tour - a passenger ferry across the Tagus to Cacilhas? and back. It was just on sun down and quite atmospheric.
Tuesday morning I took a dodgy taxi ride to the airport with some German folk, to begin the butt numbing trip back to Australia.

Reflections:

• I found this harder in some ways than the Camino Frances. I think I expected it to be easier, I had insufficient long walks in the legs and in particular the feet. I worked up in winter conditions, so unlike the summer conditions in Portugal. A 20C jump in temperature impacted big time.
• The blisters coloured the early experience, and it may have been wiser starting in Porto, and hence have less tarmac walks at the start.
• I had not learned the footcare lessons applicable to me. Cream the feet early and often, a thin pair of inner socks, and beware of infection. For me, Compeed added to the feet woes.
• The spiritual experience was there, but much more hidden. The lack of pilgrim masses were part of this.
• Angels are real, just not in the guise you may expect.
• Wonderful travel companions add to the enjoyment. I have had good companions on both caminos.
• Santiago de Compostela is highly commercial, you need to dig below it.
• Pilgrims can be obnoxious, I know I was at times.
• Finsterre is gorgeous, the perfect conclusion.
• The big fella helps the mind, the mind helps the body.
• Family and friends are great motivators and support even at long range.
• I am not getting any younger, I sure felt it in terms of range and endurance.
• And finally, Germans DO have a sense of humour.

Thankyou to those who have stuck with me to this point. As you will see I have finally uploaded some photos.
Adeus
Ashley

The end of the World

Finisterre, Friday morning. Waiting for the bus back to Santiago. Finisterre is absolutely gorgeous. Watched the sunset, dipped the feet, drank some red (and then some red, and then some red), burnt some clothes and had a thoroughly good wind down.
This place should close out all Caminos. It is so different to SdeC.
Tonight SdeC, then tomorrow to O Porto.

Day 16 Done that, got the T-shirt

Wednesday afternoon at 1400, the quartet hit Santiago. Objective reached. For the most part a good day´s walk, though the last hour was confusing and jumbled. By 1700, many beers, a Cuban cigar and several toilet stops, Ashley had stopped moving and the world was circling and leaning and quite uncertain. We had run in to the Canary Island guys! Africa!! Have not been into the cathedral, the lines are huge, and circling that are the bar bandits. Compostelas have been issued and the world is good. Today we have taken the bus to Fistera (Finisterra - the end of the earth) and are staying at a nice pension, as long as I can keep Steve from snoring. We are nicely fead and relaxed. Have called home and miss my family so much. I want to go home NOW!
But sadly that will be next week.
Thankyou for following my journey, dedicated to my father and the dreams of all my children. And thanks to Sigi, Miss Ohio and that Englishman for the companionship along the way. You are special.
But most special of all thanks Cristina, for helping another dream come true. I love you.
To all,
Adeus
Ashley

Tuesday evening Padron

Now about 22 kms from Santiago. We hope to get there late tomorrow afternoon all being well. It is low 30´s C. Need to get away early before sunup to maximise the cool walking. Had a few issues (operation related) but trucking along OK. Padron is gorgeous, just climbed the 142 steps of something. Had a wonderful spanish man show me across town to this internet kiosk. Last couple of days have been good, lovely canopy covered walks for the most part. I can see the radio masts of Monte de Gozo overlooking SdeC. Stayed at Monte de Gozo 3 years ago. We will come in from the other side of town. Hoping to take a bus to Finisterre on Thursday and watch the sunset and burn some clothing. I hope my next post announces objective reached.
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Day 15

Hi All,
Ashley has asked me to put in a comment as he has been unable to get internet. It is Tuesday morning for him (afternoon for us). He stayed last night at Calda de Reis. They are now heading towards Padron. Padron is the legendary starting point of SantIago's ministry in Spain. O Padron is as legends state-the stone to which the disciples tied the boat which was carrying the mortal remains of St. James back to Galicia after his martydom in Jerusalem. Ashley hopes to make it to Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday evening/night (thats wed late night or early Thursday for us in Australia).
Cristina.

Day13 Pontevedra

Sunday afternoon at the alberque in Pontevedra. S,shower,shave and shampoo. The world is good.Lovely scenic walk early today over the hills surrounding an inlet.
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Redondela Day 12

Spent last night at a hotel in Porrino, day 11 ?. The walk in to Porinno was a tough slog as expected through an industrial estate for 9 or 10 kms for a total of 16kms. Hot, hard and boring. We were glad to arrive. Had a few ales, and dinner. A labour march was on whilst we had dinner, not real comfortable, lots of agitation and noise.
Today we walked about 16 kms to Redondela, a bit of a climb, some nice woodlands, then it got bit harder with hot and tarmac. About 83 kms to go, and will take us another 4 days or so. Tomorrow we aim for Pontevedra which is about 18kms. We are staying in a private alburque. Accomodation is starting to be competitive, though last night we probably could have alburqued.
Feet are much improved, and I hope to hold together a little longer. Steve and Sieglinde seem to be coping well.