The final day ... Santiago at last.

Woke up and thought we were still dreaming, that we were in lovely big soft white beds with ensuite baths. Brekkie was served and many condiments were poached for later use. Everyone ready to be driven back to the camino except for eileen.who had been visited by a sneaky sock thief. Much rummaging and cursing of foreign and uncharitable pilgrims ensued until eileen realised she had put them in her side pocket.

Pilgrims set off in torrential rain, many parts of camino flooded meaning detours through waist high wet grass. Everyone was soaked to the skin; after 10 k the rain let up so we stopped for outfit change and caffes con leche. Kita put on fetching outfit of anorak, hotpants, socks pulled up to knees and a towel turban. Merry pilgrims set off again, radio pilgrim in full force. Sun shining intermittently. After another 10 k stopped for shortest lunch of the week, at labacolla the place where pilgrims traditionally stopped to wash themselves before entering santiago. Boccadillos and ice cream and the pilgrims were off again. Downpour started again abd therefore pilgrims were unable to see the spires of santiago from the mount of joy and instead were almost blown away. However rain was worth it for the sight of eileen hobbling down hill in enormous black hooded poncho, stick and backpack hump, occasionally cackling after the odd shot of whisky for the pain. Children ran screaming into their houses as she passed.

Pilgrims getting increasingly cold and wet, expecting to see cathedral at every turn, nerves on edge. Enter city outskirts around 5. After an hour finally reached cathedral, what a sight. Pilgrims fell into pews, emotions were running high, legs will never be running again.

Made way through sopping streets to pilgrim office where nice lady behind counter refused to believe that we had walked such a way in such a short time. Espefially young pilgrim liam. Consulted maps and tables but in the end a combo of liam's conscientious stamp collection and one look at eileen was enough to convince them we had done it, and we were granted our compostelas.

Trudged to hotel where hot baths much appreciated. Celebrated with lovely evening meal.

We would just like to thank everyone for their support throughout the whole pilgrimmage, it has kept us going at times when we thought we couldn't take another step. And a huge thank you to all those who have so generously sponsored us. Here endeth the blog. Adios.
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