We arrived at the square around noon, sodden and bedraggled. There were very few people there, and certainly none that we knew. The front of the cathederal, with St James looking down from his niche in the central tower, was covered in scaffolding due to renovation works and the main enterance was bordered off and shut. Although excited to be standing there at our journeys end, all we really wanted to do was find our hotel and change out of our cold wet clothes, as the rain had penetrated through our wet weather gear.
We are spending two nights in the San Martin Pinario Hotel, a beautiful converted monastory, directly opposite the cathederal. For the princley price of 80 euros a night, we get to stay in a tastefully and simply converted 'monk's cell', complete with cast iron beds and furniture, with a wonderful view over the surrounding ancient town centre.
After a hot shower and change into dry clothes, we headed out again to look through the magnificient cathederal to see the famous swinging botafumeiro, the giant incense burner originally used to fumigate the sweaty and possibly diseased ridden pilgrims.
Then it was off to the Oficina del Peregrino to receive the final stamp in our Credential and our official Compestela, the certificate of completion. For this we had to queue for over an hour and it was here that we met up with many of the people we had walked with over the past 6 weeks. It was so great to reminisce over the good times and bad, then after we received our certificates, some of us headed to a nearby bar for celebratory drinks!
It turned out to be an amazing day. Are we glad it's over . . . . yes we are. We feel very satisfied with our achievement of walking the Camino from Roncevalles to Santiago and no longer feel the need to continue walking to Finisterre on the coast. Instead, we've decided to go there by bus tomorrow for two days rest and relaxation. After that, who knows?
What a shame the weather made the last two days uncomfortable and difficult for you. After such an amazing effort you should of had blazing sunshine and a herald of trumpets to finish with. Just goes to show that God has a warped sense of humour doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously guys that was an impressive thing to have done and you must be feeling pretty pumped by it. Well done!!
What is also very impressive Wendy is that you found the time and inclination to update your blog regularly to let us all know how you were going. I am sure there were many times after a gruelling days walk that the last thing you felt like doing was typing a long discourse on a small tablet. We appreciated it and thank you for it. You may have thought at times that nobody was reading it but that was not the case. When we got service Di would read it out to me as we were driving.
Well said. Agreed!
DeleteThanks for that, Wendy did a great job, both with keeping up with me and doing the blog.
ReplyDeleteThe blog has been awesome, yes. I know for a fact that at times it was a nightmare updating it with dodgy wifi & on the tablet! Yes...well done Aunty Wendy! You're a real champ! What made me smile the MOST about this particular blog entry is that you are both smiling in the pouring rain :) TRUE PILGRAMS! Congratulations to the both of you for such am amazing, inspiring life achievement xx
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