Santiago de Compostela, Spain to North Battleford, Canada

 I had a fitful sleep – worrying about waking up at 5:15 which would hopefully give me enough time to have coffee and then start my 1.3 km downhill trek to the bus station. Because there are few taxis and they are unreliable and will only book ahead if you are going to the airport, I had no choice but to walk.

Of course I was awake a couple of hours in the night and then when my alarm went off, I was in a deep sleep. Oh well, that’s how it goes sometimes. 

I can’t imagine living a stressful life and how that can deteriorate your health. I had so many thoughts going through my head – get up at 5:15, long walk in the dark, (I had charged my headlamp just in case) , then getting to the bus station in time and finding the right bus, getting to the airport, managing walking to find security, then the gate. And to have to do that three times!  Luckily, I was already checked in in Porto but still had to go through security and then find the gate. Then the thought of getting to the Azores and what would that be like and how would I manage? And then getting to Toronto – such a big massive place! I thought I would die if I had to walk. And then flying again to Saskatoon and not getting in until 12:35 Saturday morning and hoping that Lionel had not slept in and would be there to pick me up. All of these thoughts were racing through my head, but I knew just to try to calm down and understand that things would unfold as they were supposed to and things can always be worse. Anyway, at 5:15 I was dead asleep when my alarm went but started my day.

The walk to the bus station was difficult because it was downhill, but I did not get lost. Get lost? Why would I get lost? I had a great map that I had been following for days but that thought still went through my head.

I found the bus and got a seat right at the front by myself and learned I did not have to change buses because even though we stopped in Vigo, this was the bus heading to the airport. It took 4 1/2 hours and I visited with an Italian who was walking the Spiritual Camino as well as a woman who used the bus every day to go to work in Vigo. I can’t imagine but that’s how a lot have to operate as there is little parking in the cities.

Once at the Porto airport, and of course the bus parked a long way from arrivals - not even at departures!, I made my way through security but unfortunately my gate was not yet posted as I was there too early. I found a restaurant and had something to eat and a Super Bock.

Eventually I got to the gate and talked to the flight attendant, who made me a priority guest so I got to board first and from then on would have wheelchair assistance. What a saving grace!

We flew into the Azores (2.5 hours) and it sure looks like a beautiful place. There are several different islands. The airport is very small and the planes do not connect to a hallway, you have to deplane outside. Sure enough there was a man there with a wheelchair waiting for me. He wheeled me into the airport and to a table so I could get something to eat and of course have another Strong Bock. It is interesting because Portugal only has two kinds of beer. I visited with a man from La Cruz, California, who was born in the Azores and comes back just about every year.

Eventually, someone came back and took me through customs and security, and then asked if I was able to climb stairs. There were a lot of us in wheelchairs – it was like a parade! Those who couldn’t climb stairs were put in a lift machine –

and taken to the plane. I was wheeled out to the stairs and climbed up. My helper took me to my seat and put my backpack away. Once again, I was the first to board.

Apparently Azores Air does not offer anything free except water even on a 6 1/2 hour flight. I had no way of knowing this so was very glad that I had eaten in the airport. I told the flight attendant that Azores Air was now on my no fly list with Airtransat. He apologized, of course I know it was not his decision to stop feeding us, and they did have food and drinks for purchase. I had an aisle seat which I really like because I feel sort of claustrophobic if I am at the window or in the middle. My seat mates were two Canadian women, both from Toronto, but now one is living in Grand Prairie. They had been on a holiday in Portugal that sort of turned into a disaster because they could not land in the Azores and so went back-and-forth in a plane to Lisbon where they spent most of their nine days.

Once in Toronto, I was again met with a wheelchair. What a gong show that was because there were even more of us in wheelchairs and only two people to help.. We were taken to a bus waiting outside and then driven for a long time to get to the departure terminal I guess. Once there I was put in another wheelchair and taken through security and then to my gate. I thought I had a pretty tight connection, but the time on my boarding pass was the boarding time not the departure time so it all ended up OK.

I slept a lot on all of my flights so when I arrived in Saskatoon, where I was also greeted by a wheelchair, I felt pretty rested. Lionel was there waiting and I got home about 2:30. Of course I could not sleep because there is an eight hour difference. It was hard coming up the stairs to my condo, but I will be able to manage.

Tomorrow Jane and the kids are coming to town and I have to get groceries. We are going to celebrate Thanksgiving Sunday at Jane and Mitch’s. Mom will come so that will be nice.

Tuesday, I will try to see my doctor to find out what is going on with my knee because it has not improved at all in 10 days and I wonder if it is not more than tendinitis. My biggest concern at the moment is the Algeria tour I have booked leaving December 3. I will also have to see if I have cancellation insurance through my credit card or if the company will allow me to postpone my trip because I cannot imagine my knee being better in a month, but it could surprise me.

I am still trying to process my feelings about having to come home. I am disappointed, but understand that whatever happens in a person‘s life is going to happen and we just have to go with the flow. I know that I am very grateful for all the assistance I had on my way home and anyone who has to travel using a wheelchair is very brave and it must be an important trip to make that huge effort.

I don’t know if I am looking forward to the coming winter, but I know that there is lots to keep me busy and I am happy to be around family and friends.  Right now though my knee is an obsession because I am not used to being unable to move and so I have to get that fixed first. Anyway, I am glad I went and I am glad to be home.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

October 8, 2026

What a night!  Luckily there were only 10 of us in the room because it was already a circus!  There was a trio of snorers, if not a quartet!  And loud ones!  The person beside me arrived about midnight and I think he was drunk.  He turned on the flashlight on his phone and then left it on shining it onto a Korean woman across the way while he looked at whatever else on his phone.  Finally, I asked him to turn his flashlight off, and he didn’t even know it was on. Then a woman tripped and fell onto the floor. She had come in at midnight as well and I don’t know if she was drunk or it was too dark to see. Then in the night when I got up to go to the bathroom, I knocked a glass off a tall cupboard, and it smashed on the floor and woke everyone up. The only saving grace was that it was quite easy to walk to the bathroom. I guess my drugs had kicked in and I was hopeful for this morning.

Mirjanne left-

at 10 for the bus depot as she is taking a 20 hour trip to Paris. I called insurance to see what was happening with my claim and was told that I have trip interruption so all I can do is book my own flight and then submit everything and maybe or maybe not it will be covered. Whatever. I cannot stay and so I booked a bus from here to Porto leaving at 6:50 tomorrow morning and then a flight leaving at noon arriving in Saskatoon at 00:35 Saturday morning. I will have to walk to the bus depot because cabs are so unreliable. It is only supposedly 23 minutes away but in the dark, it won’t be much fun however I do have a headlamp.

I feel very relieved and I feel happy. My knee is a huge issue and I could not stay, but at the same time I feel comfortable with this decision. I’ve been away three weeks and perhaps that is long enough. I think there is too much going on at home that I like to be a part of and being away from my family and my friends for an extended length of time is maybe in my past. I don’t know and only time will tell but at the moment I am feeling really good about this decision and looking forward to being at home. I just hope my knee survives the trip.

Yesterday I decided to book a single room and am I ever glad I did. It is lovely –

The view-

The dorms are closed from 9:30 until 2:00 so I hung out in the dining room area. I visited with Frank who is from Belgium. He was fired from his high stress investment job but got a good severance package so he just walked from Sirria. He described it as a circus. His girlfriend lives in Brazil where he also lived for four years as an undocumented alien until he decided to “grow up”, move home and get a real job. It was a really nice conversation.

At two I came to my room and read until bedtime. This is only the second day that I have had time to read a book since I came.

I am lucky because the bathroom is across the hall instead of 100 feet away. I am looking forward to a good sleep, a good walk to the bus depot and my trip home.

Adios Spain!

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

 I’m tired and sore and I just want to go home!

My sleep was okay but it was very difficult and painful to walk to the bathroom in the night.  

My physio appointment was at 9:30, not that far away but I could not walk so at 5 to 9 we called a cab.  We waited and waited and finally Mirjanne started flagging down cars asking them if they would take us.  One man who was parked along the road agreed and I ended up being only 15 minutes late.  The physio seemed surprised that my knee hurt so much so today she ultrasounded again, then put on an electric shock machine, massaged it and then taped it, differently than yesterday.  After, we walked pretty much across the street to the hospital.  My insurance quickly confirmed they would pay so after waiting an hour or so I saw a Doctor.  She thinks I have tendinitis and prescribed an anti inflammatory and a pain med.  It was very easy to fill the prescription- there are pharmacies everywhere and soon we were sitting at a bar eating tapas-

I had a crab mixture, cheese covered in crispy things, chorizo and a croquette.  They were all really good-

“Cow” on the menu-

Wine-

I trudged home and lay down.  I’m feeling very depressed - waiting on insurance, possibly missing out on flights and buses but I have decided I am coming home.  This injury may take weeks to heal and I can’t sit around in a hostel doing nothing and not really being able to even walk for groceries or to visit a restaurant.

Tomorrow late morning Mirjanne will take a 20 hour bus to Paris.  I am really going to miss her - we have gotten along really well, had some wonderful talks and a lot of fun.  I am sad that our trip together is ending.  

So overall it’s been a hard and sad day.  

O Faramello to Santiago de Compostella

Day 5 not walking!

I had a great sleep but was up too early due to movement in the room. One couple left about 4:30!!  Might have had a flight to catch, not sure why else one would leave so early for about 4-5 hours walk. 

I walked?? trudged, shuffled, limped to the bus stop with plenty of time to spare. It was about 850 meters away from the albergue. According to the schedule I had the bus should have arrived at 9:15. At 9:30 I stuck out my thumb but no one stopped. Then miraculously at 9:37 a bus arrived. It was practically full, mainly with locals. 

I got out about 650 meters from the physiotherapist and stopped at a cafeteria for breakfast. I had a ham, cheese and egg boccadillo (sandwich) , coffee and a churo. It was all very good-

I got to my appointment early and she worked on my inner thigh for half an hour, then did ultrasound and taped it. She was horrified when I said I was worried I would have to go home. Definitely not she said. You will be better. Well leaving her office it was a bit better but it didn’t take long that it hurt as much as ever. I go back tomorrow at 9:30. I will suggest I see her Thursday and Friday and if it is not better by then I will have to go home. 

After, I met Mirjanne at a café in the pouring rain. They don’t care if you order or not and only bring menus if you ask.  Once the rain stopped we wandered down a pedestrian street-

looking for tapas-

I had chorizo with a pepper on top, red pepper jam with goat cheese and salmon-

We then headed to the Cathedral which is the culmination of the walk-

There were a lot of people there because all caminos end here-

There were also tents set up with the Palestinian flag. Everyone ignored them-

Arriving here was very anti climactic. It is my third time but this time I only walked 185 km of the 285. Also I am in a lot of pain so nothing is much fun-

We went into the Cathedral-

The pipe organ-

I lit another candle-

Then we went back to the tapas street for supper. There are only 3 tapas restaurants there and one was closed. We went back to the same place and I had roasted peppers and Mirjanne had garlic potatoes-

I also had a thick chunk of cod which was very good. 

There’s a nice park along the way-

and a weird doll shop-

We bought a bottle of wine and walked to the Albergue Seminario Menor which is a former monastery and has 300+ beds-

Luckily our room is quite small-

Tomorrow I have another appointment at 9:30, then will see what the day holds. 

O Pino to O Faramello, Spain

 Day 13.  O Pino to O Faramello, Spain

Day 4 not walking!  Getting up in the night however was not as difficult as it has been so maybe that’s a good sign. 

We had to be out of the albergue by 8 but I made arrangements to stay until my 10 a.m. bus. There are a  pair of volunteers at the albergue - I’m  not sure what they do and neither are they!  It’s a Mom and daughter team from Seattle. They aren’t allowed to clean because it’s a government run albergue, they’re just supposed to greet the pilgrims and make their lives easier. Well last night there were only 11 of us there so… The Mom told me they are very bored. They were advised to get a car so they could go places when not “working” so she volunteered to drive me to the O Faramello Albergue-

which made life a whole lot easier for me!

Of course it didn’t open until 1 so I had hours to kill. I shuffled down the street to a nearby café but he only made instant coffee so I passed and instead had chips and a beer-

It is unbelievable how many pilgrims are walking through -

Hundreds and hundreds!  There are lots of bikers too and lots of noise. 

Once checked in-

I had a salad-

and waited for Mirjanne to arrive. We sat outside and visited with other pilgrims and watched many walk by.

Supper was very tender chicken sliced so thin it only had one side, fries and oh ya, wine-

Tomorrow I will take the bus at 10 to Santiago and then I have a physio appointment at 11. I feel very sad because I don’t like quitting anything but I’ve been forced to. Also if the physio can’t fix this tomorrow I may as well come home because I can’t be a tourist if I can’t walk. I guess I wait until tomorrow. Coming home doesn’t bother me in the least because I am in pain and know there is no point in staying. Maybe as Jane said - I’m getting too old for the way I travel. 

Portela to O Pino, Spain

 Day 12  Portela to O Pino, Spain

It was another boring day for me.  Day 3 without walking and I’m not getting better.  I tried to get a physio appointment tomorrow here in O Pino but no luck.  I will definitely see someone in 2 days in Santiago and I will see from there.  I do not have an onward flight booked and if it’s going to take awhile to get better I will have to consider my options.  I can’t do anything if I can’t walk.

All of the 12 guests at Jorge’s were gone by 10 a.m.  He told me he would pick me up by 11 to take me to the bus depot 5 minutes away.  At 10:45 I texted him to remind him and eventually he replied saying he was coming but would take me to the next big centre.  Fine.  Only problem was I missed my connection to O Pino so he had to bring me here, 26 km instead of 3.

I was nervous about not getting to O Pino before 1 p.m. because we are staying in Albergue de peregrino’s de O Pino and it’s a public albergue which means it is cheap (€10) and does not take reservations.  There are many horror stories about people not having a place to stay, in fact the Italian boys couldn’t get a place in Padrón tonight.  That means they may have to walk another 9 km!  Anyway, Jorge got me here at 12:45 and there were 2 people in front of me.  The albergue holds 78 so we were safe-

What a great statue outside the Albergue-

Because I am a cripple we get to sleep in the main floor dorm-

Sounds like they are used to cripples because there are 12 beds in this dorm.  If the last few days are any indication of guests, we may be here alone and apparently they have not been full for one single night all year.  That’s a bit surprising but not really.  There are many guide books that suggest a person walk the Camino in stages.  They are usually 15-25 km long and most follow along.  That makes for big crowds in the end towns and sometimes a lack of rooms.  What we do and did on the French Camino is book in the middle of the stages and so far we have had luck finding lodging.

Once settled in the albergue, we walked 850 m to a pulpo ( octopus) restaurant.  We tried hitch hiking but no one stopped.  I was a bit disappointed in the meal because it didn’t have a lot of flavour besides paprika-

The wine was good and Greta from Czech Republic joined us.  She works in a science lab at a university in Prague and dissects cadavers.  She also teaches students how to do dissection.

On our way home, a young man gave us a ride and if I understood what he said he wanted to go for a drink after his work.  WTF - I could be his grandmother!  Maybe my Spanish just isn’t that good!  

Later this evening, we walked down the street to a bar that serves wine in big white bowls –

We visited with Job from the Netherlands. The bar was filled with men – no women except for pilgrims like us. Job started the Camino in Lisbon the end of August. He doesn’t walk very far each day.

Started at the Camino in the end of August. He doesn’t walk very far today.

Tomorrow I will catch a bus at 10 for O Faramello where we have a reservation so we do not have to worry we will be sleeping in the street.  I will also book an appointment with a physio in Santiago.  I can’t help but think about the great physio I saw in Leon.  I had to take a cab to the hostel for the last mile and staggered around the corner to see a physio.  He was teaching in Burgos but would see me at 8 p.m. that night - Friday.  He worked on my T band for 2 hours and at 10 pm I walked out of there without a problem and it has never returned!  I am hoping for the same result now.