Postscript

I arrived back home Sunday morning, 34 hours after leaving Madrid. I had good flights and caught up on some movies.
It was wonderful to be met by Cristina, Callum & Riley at the airport.
Got home, sort of unpacked then Corinne arrived. Went with the boys to a birthday party, but was near asleep on my feet. Crashed when I got back home. It is now Wednesday and I am still on a different time zone. Up and wide awake at 4:00am.
For those interested, the weight loss was 10kg. Walking 750kms in 35 days with a 12kg pack is a tough way to achieve it.
I have emailed photos to some of the fellow pilgrims I met along the way. I miss the routine of the wandering tribe, and the people, and find myself longing to be there again: the unknown day ahead with some destination kms away. This is to be expected I have read - the post Camino blues, in may ways, this is where the Camino starts.
Feet are well towards healed, and the left shin slowly recovers.

This little video somes up a lot of my feelings: http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=4626203027063195198

Some photos of the folk I shared journeys with:

Wolf, Roland, Ashley, Rolf, Martin, Steve, Maureen and Luiza. I taught Roland (German) how to say 'Fair suck of the sauce bottle'. Sounded really good with his accent, In return, I got 'Das is mi wurst' (my spelling).

Ruud from Holland

Ashley, Hyejeong and Steve

Jean-Pierre (from Germany)

Anna from Hungary

Anne-Marie from Austria with Steve and I

Uta and Simone (rear), Steve and I (front)

The drinking team, Ashley, Steve (UK), Miloc (Croatia), Jean-Luc (Canada) & James (US).

Epilogue

I stayed in Santiago until lunchtime Wednesday before flying to Madrid with Chris, staying at a nice hotel near the airport.

Thursday we took a train to Toledo, south of Madrid, for the day. It is a wonderfully historic and atmospheric feeling city. Saw the sites, and had a spin on a Segway (awesome).

Friday morning took the Metro to the Sofia museum in Madrid and saw El Guernica amongst other art (I visited this museum 13 years ago).

Friday afternoon to the airport, said farewell to Chris, and flew to frankfurt and homewards.

Day 35 Made it! Yee ha. Santiago de Compostela

Walked the last 4.5 kms this morning, and arrived shortly after 9.

I went to the Pilgrims Office, and got my Compostela.

Attended the Pilgrim Mass at mid-day, and heard in Spanish ¨ Roncesvalles Una Australiano¨. That was me guys. Looking back, it feels like that was not so hard was it. But I remember the first morning at Roncesvalles thinking what have I got myself into, and the the despair I felt at Ponferrada with tendonitis. Still have it, and blisters to match.

Did the pilgrim things of hand on the Mateo Column, hug the statue, and saw the relics.

It was great ringing home telling Cristina I am there.

In a rambling order:
I thank everyone for their support and comments along the way, that helped heaps.
Steve K, I hope the beer was good, it sure was here, thanks for the prodding.
To Vicki Mc, your help has been wonderful, you are a big part.
Jason, thanks mate.
Jennifer, that book started it.
Steve S, thanks for the wishes.
To the work folk who followed me, I thank you.
And Steve O´Shea for your company on this journey and catalysts for thought, thanks mate.
Those I have not mentioned I thank you.
And especially Mirabel, Carlos and the nameless Shoeman, you got your thoughts at Santiago.
To the boys, love you and see you soon. To Corinne, the nail is still there. To Brady, Roos V Carlton, you were lucky I was away, but I still think you owe me 20.
But most of all, to ´Tina, thanks for the support of my wild dreams, you are such a part of this. Have I told you, I have another idea... Love you heaps.

Now, I would like to just go home. Adios amigos. Dreams can come true.

Day 34 Arzue to Arca.. woops Monte do Gozo

Sunday night. Now just 4.5 kms from Santiago Cathedral at Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) a 500+ bed albergue. Made a wrong turn today, and overshot our destination, by 15kms. Well there was no point going backwards, so ended up doing 35kms.
Hot and tired, but tomorrow about 0900-1000 will close out the journey.
Will be mixed emotion.
Later
El Peregrino

Day 33 Melide to Arzua

Stayed last night at the alberque in Melide. A bit of a shocker. Short walk today to Arzua, and have gone for a hostal. Lovely, leisurely and short walk. Few more blisters and shin was a shocker last night, but not long now. A depressing and lifting thought.
Will catch up with a friend from home Monday night. Also looking forward to seeing all the wandering tribe as they arrive.. Hope to do Compostela formalities Monday, and mid-day Mass Tuesday. Off to Madrid Wednesday. My mate Steve will push on to Finistere. Jo, from the early days had an accident, and hurt herself, and is now with her sister in Germany. The tales people have/will have.
Around 40kms to go.

Day 32 Hospital de la Cruz to Melide I hope

Pushing along strongly, with more blisters . Weather very hot. Still expect to make Santiago Monday morning. Gorgeous countryside and views with morning mist. Great photos. Dinner last night, had a pie made with mussels.. not sure if it was 4-ply or a light truck tyre.
Feeling good.

Day 30 Samos to Sarria to TBA

I s now mid-morning in Sarria. Nice meal with 2 Dutch ladies last night. Poor night in albergue at Samos, snoring you would not believe. Anyway, pushed on this morning in very thick fog to Sarria, and will punch on again towards Portomarin, probably make Ferrerios or maybe a bit more. ETA Santiago Monday Spanish time. This is a really tough week. Physically and emotionally very tired, I find that very surprising considering less than 115 kms to go.
I appreciate the comments, and encouragement, thanks folks.
May post later if internet is available.