I    

 Another beautiful day to walk.  The problem is the three peregrinos, plus Manolo, have a stomach bug.  Along the way we passed Monte De Gozo, the Mountain of Joy where St. John Paul II celebrated Mass.  The last 2 km seemed like forever.  We obtained our compastella and checked into our HOSTEL, which happens to have a five star rating! 

We  arrived in Santiago, slightly tired!

We had another beautiful day for walking.  Butch was not as critical today as we managed not to take any wrong turns.  It was an uneventful day, but Butch was the only one to make it to Mass; Brian and I were there in spirit due to a stomach bug.  Before Mass we arrived at our hotel Casa Calvo (House of the Bald).  Did they change the name for the three bald headed pilgrims?  Tomorrow completes our journey to Santiago.

Today was a walk of prayer and penance… it rained all day. Butch kept telling us we were going the wrong way, so I had to suggest to Butch to “zip it up and pray” (ever though he was right).

In the evening Manolo drove us to Santiago where we, and half of Spain, gathered to celebrate the Vigil of the Feast of St. James.  We were fortunate to get into Mass and witness the special use of the Botafumeiro.  We were the last group to get in the door; it was packed +.  We returned to the hotel where we had a pilgrims meal…. fit for a king.            

Note: click on picture if distorted

We had another beautiful morning to begin our walk. Along the way we encountered an amputee I meant and adjusted his prosthesis  four years ago on the Camino. He remembered my  name and we enjoyed seeing each other again.

In Fueros we saw a beautiful crucifix in a small church. We each had a picture taken touching his hand.

We arrived early but tired.
(Note: touch picture if elongated.)

  Along the way we THOUGHT we saw Fr. Charlie pass by !

We began our walk today at Ligonde. Along the way we ran into Tony,the seminarian we met in Chattanooga.

We visited a seventh century church which was enlarged in the 12th century. 

A bishop from Canada celebrated mass.

Note:  tap on the picture if it’s distorted.