Day 18 ~ 23rd August 2000

O Pino to Santiago de Compostela

The final lap of our pilgrimage.

This was a relatively short day, but with three good, hard climbs before we passed Santiago airport and started the descent toward Santiago.

At last, our first glimpse of the spires of the cathedral, this was a moment full of joy, although our photographs do not reflect why we were so happy.

Santiago is a beautiful city, but we felt a little over powered by all the tourists. It really was a case of playing sardines to visit the Cathedral. We queued for more than two hours to obtain our compostelas, but we were still shocked that we had actually made it.

We spent a few days enjoying Santiago, we then set off for Bilbao in a hire car with the bikes in the back. We chose to take the northern coastal route which is stunningly beautiful. We were met by some more good friends in Oviedo, who were bidding us good-bye. All that remained was the drive to Bilbao, and the flight home.

This journey has served to fill me with hope that one day I will be able to repeat my pilgrimage, only this time following "La Ruta del Norte".

ULTREYA!!