Santiago de Compostela.....we made it!

We set out thinking we would split the last  24 k's into two days but as the walking was going well and we had a great breeze to keep us cool, we just  kept  going. The cool water fonts along the way were refreshing, an opportunity to wash your face or dunk your hot and tired feet.

This hombre had the perfect spot for his coffee cart, on a woodland trail, miles from any competition and just up a small rise... bliss to sit down and rest a while.... blister check time for many peregrinos. 

A group of young students had left a heart shaped message for a following group.. I loved the go, go, go sentiment.

 Lots of peregrinos today heading to the cathedral, young and not so young, resting in the shade of the trail at times, changing blister dressings, bathing feet and some with very bad limps or odd walking styles due to the many miles completed, but all determined to make Santiago today.

Just when our spirits were flagging and it was super hot coming out of a woodland area into a road walking area, the sign in the pic below said it all!

We made it to the cathedral plaza around 2pm and if felt good to complete the journey we started back in May, just a minor detour of 13,000k's and 14 odd countires later. It was great to see others we had passed along the way making it to the end today too.  The plaza was busy with fiesta week and the town is full of visitors for the big celebrations this weekend. There is a much greater security presence in the plaza and in Santiago itself, the fiesta ends at the weekend with concerts and fireworks so security is high.

No sculpture  of the day today...just our chuffed smiles in front of the cathedral and now a deep bath is calling .