Santiago, Sunday 16th April

Becky said to me today that it is strange - the day that you arrive in Santiago is, in many ways, just like any other on the Camino as you settle into your accommodation and look around the place you have reached. It is not until the next day when you fail to pack your bag and start walking that the strangeness of arrival gets to you - you are not going anywhere, you are not collecting sellos or wishing anyone a 'Buen Camino', you are staying still and will not be discovering a new place today.

We got up at 8 today and enjoyed the breakfast at the hotel and then went to the Cathedral by 9:30 attending both the 10'o'clock Mass and then the Pilgrim Mass at 12 which, with today being Easter, was extra special (although there was no list of the Pilgrims who had arrived the day before being read out).

The archbishop paraded into the Cathedral accompanied by a band and the Botafumeiro was swung at the start of the service rather than the end of it.

After Mass we managed to see an Easter parade wending its way through Santiago's streets before we headed to dinner.

We spent the rest of the day being typical tourists, looking in shops and enjoying the sights.

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Route Napoleon closures: November-March

For anyone thinking of setting off on the Camino anytime soon just a reminder that the Navarrese Govenmnet closes the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees from November 1st - March 31st each year (and longer if need be). Roncenvalles in the snow The official notification for this (from last year) is below.

The Camino Primitivo

The Camino Primitivo (or the Original Way) is reportedly the very first Camino Way to Santiago in the 9 th century when most of Spain was under the control of the Moors and it runs from near the city of Ovideo in Asturias as it starts in Villavicosa (which also lies on the Camino Norte so many people follow this Way from Basque city of San Sebastian (Donosti in Basque) or in from the French border at Irun ( this route then hugs the Bay of Biscay passing through Guernica, Bilbao, Santander, Llanes before going under the Picos de Europa and then heads along the coast to Ovideo) before branching off onto the Primitivo which goes across the mountains and through the city of Lugo before joining the Frances at Melide. The route is 320km long. Image taken from https://viaalpina2013.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/camino-del-norte-camino-primitivo/

Pilgrim Prayer - Columba

Columba was an Irish monk (who founded several monasteries in Ireland) who sailed with 12 others to the island of Iona just off the west coast of Scotland. The Abbey he funded became one of the powerhouses of Mediaeval Christendom. He lived from 7th December 521 until 9th June 597. Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand Than if a host did round me stand. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path below me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, tonight and forever.

On the Camino

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