Some statistics

Total distance travelled in 10 days: 478 miles or 770 km.
Total amount of climbing in 10 days: 26,308 ft.
Maximum climb in 1 day: 4,383 ft on 27/8/15. (Most I have ever done in UK = 2,588 ft)
Maximum elevation above sea level: 4,938 ft.

Arrival in Santiago de Compostela

Yesterday we eventually arrived! We made it in 10 days rather than 11.
Our wives,  Linda & Fran and our friends, Debbie & Malcolm were at the entrace to th city to cheer us in.
We then queued at Officine Peregrino to get our Compostela.
We were very tired but glad to have arrived & seeing our loved ones!
Today we went to the Missa Peregrinos & we were fortunate enough to see the Botafumeiro.
Photos to follow.

Friday - a recovery day

This morning. Even though we had a good nights sleep, our legs were tired before we even set out at 8:30.we did 38 miles of repeated 5km sections of first steep climbing and then descents arriving in Palas de5 Rei.
We got our clothes washed, and found a hostelthis is a picture of Andy in a hat some locals lent him last night!

Thjrsday - Samos

In the evening we had a walk around,  and found a HUGE Benedictine monastery.  It was as big as a city! We, by chance, went into the church to discover Mass had just started. There was a recording playing of some superb gregorian plain chant.
But then we realksed that the beautiful singing was, in fact, the monks! It was absolu stunning to be in this huge church 5 with the singkng & the fantastic atmosphere.

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2 mountains.....

Today has been a VERY tough day.
On the Camino there are 2 mountains greater than 1,300m. Cruce de Ferro & Alto de Pyo.
We did the Cruce de Ferro yesterday.
The guide books say DO NOT try to do both mountains in consequetive days.
So guess what we did........
Garmin Connect (click)
We climbed continuously for 40 miles in 5 hours without respite. It was a very tough day of 54 miles including the mountain.  We are now in Samos. Tired but well and proud of what we've achieved.

Famous Cruce Ferro

Today we left the hippy commune. No milk, no black tea, no butter. Just oatflakes muesli & soya milk!
We set off up the  1,505m high mountain which has the highest point of the Camino, the Cruce de Ferro. Where pilgrims bring a stone from home, say a special prayer, & leave the stone at the foot of the cross.
It took us 4  hours to reach this altitude, the highest I have ever been on a bike. Andy found it very emotional.
 Garmin Connect (click)
We placed the stones we brought from home at the foot of the cross, with the special prayer. We are now in Ponferrado, staying in a hostel, very pleased with what we achieved today.
Both well, but I have pressure sores on my but cheeks. Painful but I am managing by scrupulous cleaning & application of moisturising cream.
Some photos: