Santiago Today is my daughter Livy's birthday. Despite not being able to speak through FaceTime, there were big smiles from us both and sometimes that conveys all you need to know. Jon, Alex and Livy have all sent me texts which mean a great deal to me. After collecting my special 800 year anniversary Compostela from the San Fransiscan church, it was time for the pilgrims mass at noon. It was a beautiful and moving ceremony with the announcement of the nationalit...

I am so happy to have arrived at the end of my Camino Frances journey in Santiago de Compostela. Another 20km day in heavy rain showers and sunny spells lead me to where all the Camino routes have converged for centuries. There is no welcoming ceremony or fanfare, just the realisation that there are no more yellow arrows or scallops shells to follow (well, for 24 hours at least!). This is the end of my epic 500 mile journey on foot from St Jean Pied de Port to Sa...

Rabadiso to O'Pedrouzo Tomorrow I will walk into Santiago de Compostela. I will have taken over one million steps and after five and a half weeks on this journey, I will reach the end of my 'pilgrimage'. At this point, I want to give special thanks to my lovely physiotherapist Caroline back in my local Colchester hospital. When I saw her in the summer with my dodgy right ankle, she gave me a series of exercises to do and provided special insoles to support my arc...

Palas de Rei to Rabadiso Some people describe the Camino as a life changing spiritual journey. For me, as I near the end of my own personal Camino, the phrase 'life affirming' has more resonance. Walking for six hours or so each day for over five weeks across Spain with just a rucksack, gives you time to think what connects me to the pilgrims who undertook this journey a thousand years ago. Spiritually, this journey has reinforced my understanding of the eternal ...

Portomarin to Palas de Rei Phew, what a wet day! Fifteen miles in pouring rain, some of it really heavy, has led me to Palas de Rei which is now only three days away from Santiago de Compostela, which I hope to reach on Tuesday afternoon. Most albergues have good washing and laundry facilities which are much needed today as I get out of soaking clothes and boots. There is something very satisfying about having freshly washed and aired clothes to put on for the fo...