First day of not walking and I still had to get Liz up early so we could get in line to get our “credentials”. Luckily the line wasn’t to long and we were out in 45 minutes. Heard the day before it was taking up to 2 hours. We then headed to the bus stop and got a bus to Finisterre. As we were waiting a father and daughter, Ralph and Liz, walked up to catch the same bus. We met them about a week ago. We made plans with them to share a taxi out to the lighthouse to watch the sunset. It was cloudy but still worth the wait. I’ll send pictures when I have stronger WiFi. We will spend the next 2 days here enjoying the solitude and beauty. Keep us in your prayers as you are in mine.

Leaving Santiago and taking bus to Finisterre

We left Pedrouzo with a brisk 45 degrees but sunny skies. We had a 12 mile walk and arrived in Santiago around 1:30. We checked into our Albergue Seminario Menor, which Lizzie says is haunted!! I’ll send pictures when I can download them. It’s on a hill overlooking Santiago and is beautiful. We changed and headed into the city. We toured the cathedral which is undergoing renovation but was still able to go behind the alter and touch the figure of St James and pray before his tomb. There were tears but for joy, relief, questions still remaining, I don’t know. Maybe I’ll figure it all out over the next few days. We wandered soo over the city seeing some beautiful churches and museums. It was arranged on the trail for everyone to meet at a certain restaurant for dinner. There were over 30 of there. It was great to see friends we met several days ago. Yes there was singing and yes they asked for Liz to sing, not one song but two!! Tomorrow we wait in line to receive our “credentials” and then catch a bus to Finesterria. Keep us in your prayers as you are in mine.

We left Ribadiso under very foggy conditions but a little warmer. We had a 14.7 mile walk today through beautiful forest with lots of ups and downs. We kept running into Bud and Bill, 2 gentlemen we met our first night in León. Bill is 71 and Bud is 67. They started at the beginning and today is day 32 for them!! If they can do it, I know I can finish. I have very mixed feelings about tomorrow being our final day. I’m relieved that the pain, fatigue and sore muscles will be over, but at the same time I will miss the peacefulness, the slow pace of life, the beauty of Gods creation and the friendship we have formed. I have heard that people have had different reactions when reaching Santiago, from disappointment to a spiritual break through. I have no idea how I will feel!! Liz says the hardest part for her will be not having wine with dinner every night!! it started to rain as we neared Pedrouzo, so we have had a quiet evening to our selves. Keep us in your prayers as you are in mine

Bud is on the left and Bill on the right