June 30

Santiago to Terneuzen by bus plane and car.

Took the bus from Santiago to O Porto in Portugal then the plane to Brussels where Howard came to pick me up. What a happy sight it was to see his face in the crowd, family does mean a lot. Got to Terneuzen at 11:0pm. had a chat with Tiny and off to bed. Martha came the next morning and we spent the day in Terneuzen and then drove to Oost Souburg. Today we had a lazy morning and in the afternoon went to a birthday party at Jeroen and Nicole's. my left foot is giving me some trouble, I think it is missing the boots. It is strange to walk around without the pack, almost like something is missing. Thank you all for the many congratulations, and see you all soon.
Big Hug
Greti.

June 26

Arrived in Santiago at 9:0am.
The last 10km. Are nothing to write home about, suburbs, city, traffic and lots of people and traffic lights.
Walking up to the Cathedral was amazing. I walked with Brigitte which was nice as we walk the same tempo. There were so many pilgrims, many without a pack but you can tell by their limping that thy are pilgrims. Went straight to the pilgrim office to get the Compostela. There was just a small lineup which is rare, but it was early and most pilgrims arrive at noon. I was hoping not to cry but when I got to the lineup lots of pilgrims were crying for joy to have made it. All along the way the Compostela did not seem important, but once I got  there I really wanted it. A quick scan of the list showed me that on my page I was the oldest one. Went to the pilgrim mass at noon and all the countries and number of pilgrims get mentioned, from Canada there were 5. Brigitte was the only one from switzerland. The town is teeming with people. It is amazing how many people I met with whom we started out in St. Jean. We greet each other like long lost friends. Met Barbara with the hip replacement, two dutch couples, and lots of pilgrims from recent stops. Just now the Spanish couple who had a bet that I will never make it to Santiago walked in, big surprise and big halloo.
For me this walk is the hardest thing I ever did (besides having and raising a family)    but also the best and most rewarding.
I could not have done this walk without the support of you all, your mails and posts kept me going and your spirit gave me the strength to go on. So the Compostela is for all of us as in spirip you walked every step with me.
How Blessed I am.
Hugs
Grateful Pilgrim.

June 25

Walked ron Arzua to Lavacolla.
First of all thank you for all the comments, even this morning  before my walk I read your letters.
Had another wonderful walk, left the albergue with a frenchman and a lady from Spain but after a few kilometers walked blissfully alone. Had cafe con leche and met Brigitte from switzerland and walked the rest of the way with her, we now share aroom in a hotel, what bliss to have a bathroom where I can lock the door. Walked today further than intended as the hostels were full.
Hard to believe that I o

nly have 10km. to Santiago, will start walking at 6:30am. Then I will be just in time to get my Compostela and attend pilgrim mass at noon. There are 7 of us who will walk in to Santiago together.
My feet are now fine and I feel like I could walk further, as some will go on to Finisterre, but Santiago is enough for me. Will book a flight to Brussels in the afternoon.
Hugs and Thank you to all.
Grateful Pilgrim.

June 24

Walked from Palac del Rei to Arzua
Again had a good walk I planned to go til Ribadiso which is 26 km. but got there at noon and felt it was to soon to stop so walked another 3km. to Arzua. Got a nice hostel right on the Camino so will leave early tomorrow morning. Thank you all for your mail, read it all over a late lunch.
Today I walked with Ann from Atlanta, I have seen her off and on along the way. Ann is walking the Camino to get help for her grieve. She lost her son in an accident and tries to make some sense of it, Ann does not carry a pack she ships it from hotel to hotel but when she walks you can see her internal burden. She is living a mothers worst nightmare. I stopped in at the next church to thank God to have spared me this kind of loss and to give Ann strength.
The Camino is now very busy but it is nice to hear young people joking and laughing. I always hear comments when thy see the canadian flag on my pack, right away thy start talking to me in english and every day someone says thy have family in Canada. At the hostal I was asked to take my boots off by a young hostalero and when I said how can you ask a grandmother to take her shoes off he said "grandmothers sit at home and knit and do not walk for 33 days" but he did carry my pack to the room. The first photo we walk out of the village, the second is the path the third is the cafe con leche.
Big Hug to all
Grateful Pilgrim

June 23

Walked from portomarin to Palacio del Rei.
Started walking at 6:30 as I wanted to get ahead of the crowds. Well I got my wish, for the first 10km. I did not see another soul. It was the best walk ever, a little cloudy but no rain and no pain. And the only sound was the birds. Today I felt a big shift within, I started my Camino for gratitude for the things in my life and today I was very aware that my walk is not for the things but it is gratitude for the people in my life. This whole jouney I felt carried by so many of you. You all were like wind under my wings. I know a lot of you worried about me and I am thankful for that, your mails gave me the strength to go on. It is hard to describe how connected I feel to you all. Thank you.
Hugs
Grateful Pilgrim.