Just a quick post – full write up later.
I wanted to share that I reached Santiago today at 12:44. I walked straight into the cathedral and was enexpectdly allowed in with my backpack. The pilgrims’ mass was coming to an end as I entered and then the botafumeiro was swung. And I was in the very best position to witness it. I was very emotional and very happy.
More later……
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Many congratulations to you Maggie – so, so proud of you and what you have achieved again, can’t wait for our next hugs xx
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We have had the hugs before I managed to reply to your message. You do give the very best hugs and it was so good to see you again. xxx
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Well done Magwood!
Mario
Santarém Hostel
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Thanks Mario. I wish you and your wonderful hostel every success.
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Well done Maggie, what an achievement,. I have followed you every step of the way during your two Caminos. Brilliant writing and amazing photos. I had hoped to take you with me to Denmark when I leave Cómpeta at 4am tomorrow!! for my bedtime reading,. But sadly, for me , you have finished the long walk. Enjoy your homecoming and see you in a couple of weeks. Congratulations from Jytte.
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Thanks Jytte. I hope you have a lovely stay in Denmark and look forward to seeing you when you get back.
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Congratulations! ~(*_~)~~
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Hurray
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Well done,congratulations and thank you for sharing your camino with us all.
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Thanks to you for your support.
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Did you put your jet boots on for this last stage. And the botafumeiro swinging was a fitting finale!
Thanks for a really enjoyable tour Maggie
Annie
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Thanks for your company Annie. I really appreciate it.
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CONGRATULATIONS! Magwood. Your blog was great, and will be very helpful when I walk the Camino Portuguese next year.
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You will love it Cathy. Bom caminho!
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Well done and congratulations on your achievement.Look forward to you final blog.
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Thanks Cheryl. It’s been a great adventure.
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Wow. A Million Congratulations on your completed Camino! Enjoyed every word of your blog and pictures, to boot! I think a lot of people will miss waking up to your blogs.
Now you can put your feet up and relax for a bit! Until the next Camino…Ha!
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Thanks for your support along the way Kristina. It means a lot.
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Congratulations to one “Trepidatious Traveller!!!
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Thanks Rich. I appreciate your support.
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Many congratulations Maggie ….. shall certainly miss your fascinating and informative daily blog. Enjoy a few days of R & R back in Canillas
With our love and total admiration.
Pat & John xxx
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Thanks you guys. I really appreciate your support, lots of love xx
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Congratulations, Maggie – you are an inspiration. VERY well done 🙂 xx
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Thanks Marianne. All that’s left now is to finally meet you!
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Goose bumps and happy tears! What an accomplishment!! Can’t wait for the ‘rest of the story’. You know we’ll still keep in touch via the Camino Forum and I’ll still follow your blog. Enjoy your stay in Santagio, safe travels home.-Leona
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Thanks Leona. Here’s to a long friendship!
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You saw the botafumeiro again? You are blessed 🙂 looking forward to seeing you x
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I’ll give my feet a day off, then we shall have to walk together. Glad to have you back xx
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Hello Maggie
I’ve followed you all the way – very inspiring. Not able to make many comments as too busy looking after Mike. If you are ever back in Bristol, please come and see us! (Not that I can think of much reason for coming back to rainy Bristol from sunny Spain unless your grandchild(ren) are here…)
Love
Marian
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Hi Marian. Lovely to hear from you. Sorry that Mike is not well. I’m just back for a short visit in a couple of weeks, but later in the year it would be good to see you after so many years. You taught me a great deal and I often think of those good days, amongst good people.
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congratulations, I enjoyed the last few days walking with you. Shortly I will follow. Regards, Johanna From South Africa
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You must be getting very excited Johanna. Bom caminho to you and your daughter.
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I agree with all the above postings! Thank you so much for painting such a vivid portrayal of this Camino!!
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Thanks for your support Susan.
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Oh Maggie……I’m sitting here with a tear in my eye and joy in my heart….Well Done!!
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Thanks Lyn, I really appreciate the support.
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Wow, congratulations Maggie!
Just reading this short post brings back memories and feelings (and goosebumps) of entering the Cathedral and the mixed feelings of having accomplished the Camino and knowing that it is over, for now. But then, the Camino never leaves you, it has only just begun.
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Thanks Peter. I was remembering in Santiago how we met up last year and celebrated. I went back to the same bar for a glass of wine (but didn’t sit outside, as it was raining!). When is your next camino?
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Fantastic Maggie. I’ve been here every day, following you step-by-step all the way. It’s been a wonderfully emotive tour for us readers, too, so good has been your story-telling. The beautiful photos made it all so real and a genuinely live experience. I can feel those uncomfortable cobbles under my feet even now, though said feet are neatly tucked into work shoes under my desk in Denmark! I can only echo other commentators when I say that the end of your Camino blog is like coming to the end of a wonderful book — tinged with sadness but also in the knowledge my soul has been touched. You’ve made a difference. What bed time reading could possibly replace you? No longer are you the Trepidatious Traveller but the Accomplished Adventurer and Camino Blogger Extraordinaire. What a long way to come in a very short time from those first training walks we did together back in 2012. Huge hugs and miss you a lot. Lyn (the other one).
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Hi Lyn. Sorry for the delay in replying, and thank you for your lovely comments – as always. I gather you have been in the UK now for a while – I hope the weather is being kind to you. I’m not sure if we will get to see you this side of the summer after all, have looked at flights and they are very expensive. Maybe we should leave it until September when hopefully it will be more affordable. Xx
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Mag
I read on the blog “stellae campus,” a text that reflects what happens to the pilgrim after returning to Santiago.
I share some of the text on the ground that shows the true feeling after pilgrimage.
“… that awful feeling that devastates the pilgrim after crossing a feeling of vast emptiness (I think this was more or less the way I felt the first time I finished the Caminho … feeling that comes from repeating … at least at the end of the longest Caminhos …), feelings about which there is so much to say and too little has been said or written! “…. “There is a lot of information about preparing for the Caminho, but very little or nothing (at least that I know …) on the (re) integration of the pilgrim after pilgrim!” ….
AMSimoes
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How true, Aurelio, thanks for sharing. I felt quite settled at home when I returned this time, but last year I felt very fidgety for a long time after returning. I just didn’t know what to do with myself. This year I knew – I slept…..
Thanks for all your support. If you don’t mind, I shall write a post including all the information and insight you have given me.
I hope you met up with Elly when she returned to Lisbon, I hope to catch up with her when she arrives back to Australia.
Very best wishes to you and Rita xx
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I am so glad to read this post, thought there was something wrong with me after finishing my Camino. What a wonderful experience though, so glad I could manage.
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What do you mean Johanna – ‘something wrong with you’. I hope all was well. Congratulations on your camino.
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Lucked on to this after only a couple of days googling the Camino. I’ll be re and re and rereading. Practical AND inspiring. You are an amazing woman.
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So glad you have found the blog interesting Debbos, and thank you for your lovely comment.
Buen camino!
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