As I am nearing the end of this fantastic odyssey I thought you may be interested to know how I have been spending my days....

During the night: lots of snoring by sleeping members in the Albergue..sometimes it is a symphony other times just a slight snore here and there (I have only woken myself up once with a single snore, however I have been told that occasionally I have also joined the snoring chorus!)

0530 the rustle of sleeping bags being unzipped and packed into their covers and then squashed into Mochillas (backpacks) commences.

0600-0630 my alarm rings and time to arise and pack my stuff strategically into my backpack....as I have so little space and many goods...this task requires some skill and a strategic order for the goods.

0700-0730 depart the albergue and with torch light look out for the yellow arrows that guide us to Santiago.

0800ish the sun rises. Lately it has been quite hazy so the moon setting and sun rises have been quite surreal. The morning glow of a new day blesses us all.

0930 after 5kms or so, it is time for Desanyo (breakfast). In most cases, a town appears out of the mist and the signs for the "Bar" point us in the right direction. Cafe con leche (coffee with milk), tostada (toast with lovely fresh wood fired bread) and/or a delicious pastry (chocolate croissants are popular), naranja (freshly squeezed orange juice) and possibly another coffee are the usual fare for the morning. This combination is great fuel to walk another 20kms or so before the next bar (or supermarket) for lunch.

1300 more bars appear and delights of the region await. Boccadillos (fresh rolls that are usually at least 12inches long) with queso (cheese) are popular ... or soup and/or ensalada mista..and lots of lovely fresh fruit and nuts are normally the order of the day.

1500-1730...depending on how far we are walking...arrival at the destination... usually with heart and mind filled with the beauty of nature and the sights and sounds of the day.

Galecia and Coruna the regions we have been walking in for the last few days are very poor. The women do most of the work on the farms. Not many men around..although have seen them in the bars during the day!

1730 after faithfully following yellow arrows all day....arrival at the Albergue (hostel) with the hope that there is a bed...this has been the case for all but one occasion when we walked another 9kms (3hours).

2000 dinner.... either a pilgrims menu at another bar (first course soup or pasta, second course meat or fish or salad, dessert pastry or yoghurt or a delicious menu cooked up by me or fellow pilgrim in the albergues kitchen if there is one.

2200 tucked up in bed hoping that there are not too many fellow pilgrims who snore!

This is a typical day and as well as the above (not always, but often looking forward to the next meal!)there are many stories that are shared together with pilgrims walking by. Everyone has an experience that you can learn from. It is often very beautiful walking in silence...sometimes difficult with such an extended family travelling along the same path! The beauty of the nature is something that I will always treasure.