We decided to cut the last walk in two since it is one of the longer ones and the last half includes two hill climbs. I am very slow on the uphill grinds. I thought it would be me knees which would give me trouble. (bad knees…..an occupational hazard for clergy you know). However it is my hips which are screaming at me. We all have our slow times. For Mark it is in the morning when he struggles to get going and has a demanding regimen of medications to attend to. Tannis fades in the afternoon, and I slow down to a crawl on hills. We have learned to make allowances for each other and our impatience, (always ready to flare) has been less of a problem.
As we walked we fell in with a group of five young Portuguese men, who had enjoyed high humor over several bottles of wine till just after lights out. They seemed to be young friends attached to some sports team or whatever. Turns out they are indeed friends of long standing but are now all professionals of one sort or another, lawyers and engineers were two I identified, who decided almost on a whim to walk to Santiago. They gave us interesting insights into Portuguese culture and some suggestions about what to do on our days in Opoto. Very interesting people, but faster walkers than us so off they went, full of the joy of youth.
One of the sights on our way today was a Marian Shrine, Santa Maria de Cruces, in Esclevitude. Not open, but an imposing baroque presence. When we got to the Albergue shortly after noon, it was pleasant enough and small, with only one person there, but Mark had a very restless time last night with a whole chorus of heavy snorers, so we decided to push on to a country B&B. Very nice place with a grassed area in the back. It is always a treat to have clean sheets but it is more than we should be spending at this point. What is it with this guilt response all the time!!! The biggest problem is that the only food for miles around is at the restaurant across the road, which is a little pricey, and the breakfast at the house is not until 9:00 so we will be getting a late start.
Part of my guilty feelings, I realize, is an issue which has been dancing just outside my consciousness for a while as we walk. We keep encountering people who are working in fields, on roads, in gardens and wash stands, restaurants and offices. I often wonder what they think of us having the time to indulge ourselves at an apparently unnecessary walk. We are working very hard at a task which I think is beneficial not only to ourselves but also to the world. However, not everyone has the resources to enjoy the travel and experience which is part of thIs effort. So I try to join my work to theirs and ask a blessing on their efforts and their lives.
Question raised about no blog one day and three the next day. Simply a matter of the vagaries of wifi. Sometimes you just can not do what you want to do…..so you wait and send it the next day.
Tomorrow, God willing, and all going well, we will arrive in Santiago. I am not looking forward to the hill up to the cathedral, but hopefully the rest tonight will prepare me. I feel strangely detached from the prospect of the end of the pilgrimage. I really do not know what to expect, so I will have to wait for whatever comes. Perhaps we can discuss this together over supper tonight. My prayer is that we will each know a deeper connection with the Source of all and that whatever healing of heart, mind or body is intended for us will be manifested clearly.
Blessings all.
webstercamino 
I can appreciate the feelings of guilt you are having when you are thinking in comparative terms… but it’s likely healthier to think in relative terms. Each person has their own demons and struggles, each person has their own fortunes and blessings. There is no need or reason to feel guilty if you consider that what you and Tannis and Mark are doing is its own journey completely separate of any others’ past or present experience. The Camino, as you have seen, can be as spisritual or as light hearted and nonchalant as each person wants it to be for themselves. It is a path between 2 points and the destination is only as grand as you let it be or feel it to be. Guilt is a wasteful feeling. If you remove any exoectations of what you thought the walk would be or should be and take it for the moment per moment it has been, in its struggles and its beauty, and the blessing of spending such quality time with your family, etc… then perhaps you can just accept the experience, without comparison, to be your subjective one, all your own, with nothing to weigh it against. Be proud of your accomplishments and take them for exactly what they are.
We’ve all enjoyed following your journey step by step. Tomorrow will be a great day for you all.
Hi there… Bob, Mark and Tanis,
I’m responding to Bob’s comment about feeling detached with the end of the pilgrimage. This is only one part of the great journey, albeit an incredible part, which I’m sure will continue to bless each of you (and through your communications, all of us) in the days to come. Thank you for undertaking this pilgrimage and taking all of us along. My prayers continue to be with you three as you reach Santiago, and for the remainder of your steps on this great journey.
Susan Suppes.
Guilt is the last emotion that we have to overcome. We cannot complete our Spiritual Journey until we are free from GUILT. Like everything else guilt is a conditioned response imposed on us by those around us. the THREE of you started with
ONE PURPOSE in mind. Stay FOCUSSED, 24 hours a day, on that purpose not building, roads, trees, etc. . Sorry, but that’s what it was all about. lol Jim
May God bless you with love, respect, discernment, and thankfulness for your relationships, for the angels you met along the way, for the stamina to make it all the way, and for the saints who’ve gone before and the ones after. With love, blessings and prayers for you 3, B & B
Mark, Tannis, Bob – Praying that your arrival in Santiago will be an individual and unique gift for each one of you – exactly what you personally need as you end this grand adventure together. Enjoy the rest of your time in Europe until we see you safely back in Canada again. Thank you again for sharing your journey with us – it has been a blessing. Well done, good and faithful pilgrims!!