Buen Camino 12: Start to finish.

What a journey it has been. So many memories - plenty of good ones with a few painful ones.
 As is so often said about what is important; he tangata, he tangata, he tangata (it is the people, the people, the people). It is the great fellow pilgrims and their friendship that is most important. Sometimes only meeting once over an evening meal or walking and sleeping together for a number of days.
I am disappointed and frustrated to have blistered so badly - but it gives me a reason to come back next year!
A smattering of photos to follow as a quick overview.

Holding my credential in St Jean.

So many churches with inspiring interiors.

Nice view from my breakfast stop.

So good to see destinations appear after a long day of walking. 

 Happy to stay in Ribadiso again.

 Walking up to the Iron Cross.

 High point of the Camino -over 1500 m.

 Some more well traveled pathways.

 The shell is a symbol for all pilgrims - with a mix of standard and funky designs.

Sunrise looking back over Portmarin valley.

Only 100km to go!

No comment necessary! !

Sometimes the bugs do strike! Not me fortunately and I didn't meet too many pilgrims who had been bugged.

 Foot massage and having dead skin cut off from blisters.

Santiago cathedral. 

I am certifiable - with compostela.

Buen Camino 11: birds and wildlife et al

The variety of wildlife along the way is remarkable. As a lot of time is walking in the country-side this is hardly surprising. Some of the little things have included: slugs  (brown or black), butterflies, various coloured caterpillars, ants by the thousands, snails and a brown snake  (about 20 cm long). The constant amongst these is that you are looking down at the pathway most of the time.
Of course there is the range of farming animals along the way also.

The birds flying around are great as well but the buzzards circling at one point seemed ominous. The cranes in Spain are very religious as they build their nests on any available church.

A number of pilgrims do have difficulty with their boots as shown by the impromptu memorials along the way. 

Lots of interesting houses and doorways along the way.