Sunday 1st of July 2012,
Here I am sitting at home with a coffee, its overcast, wet and brrrrrrrrr very cold. Not the finish to my walk that I expected. Thanks to all, for your thought, condolences, prays and well wishes.
Catching up with family to grieve and  finalise the funeral arangements, its all so sad, and a very difficuilt time for us all.
Well thanks again to you all,
Luke

Saturday 30th of June 2012,
Well, in Sydney, a few hours till flight to Melbourne, so thought I'd update as next few days could be rather hectic. A bit of a delay in Singapore then a hold pattern prior to landing in Sydney, luckily customs wasn't a big hold up ... then off to the domestic terminal,  sun is out here but a bit coolish.
Feel that my world has been turned upside down ... 2 days ago sitting in a bar in Fisterra enjoying a coffee, now the other side of the world having a pretty ordinary coffee, and breakfast soso.
Well will try and catch up with some emails.

Friday 29th of June 2012,
Hi to all, well just landed in singapore, a few hours layover, just bought myself a G+T, bloody hell I could servive a whole day in Spain on what this cost me here in Singapore.
Feel down ..... here I was having this life changing adventure .... no this is life changing, was I away with the fairies, living a dream or a fantacy, not sure, reality, its like a kick in the guts.
So guess I will savour this G+T and think twice about buying another .... but then!!!
So Sydney tomorrow morning, layover and  then Jetstar back to Melbourn and home some time in the arvo.
 Well free internet time almost over, so catch up soon.

Thursday 28thof June 2012,
Terrible news from home, Grand daughter has died, so heading home for her funeral.
Its late thursday evening, sitting in a bar at Madrid International Airport, nursing a whisky and reflecting on todays events.
Left Cee about 8am, its overcast, threatening rain, and cool .... easy walking and make Fisterra by 11am ..... do our usual thing and find a bar and have a coffee. Pulled out laptop to check emails from home and update blog .... then world thrown upside down.
There is a travel agent just down the road, I have a return ticket but that is departing from Paris, and open ended and and can't get a seat till Sunday. So end up with a taxi ride to S de C airport, then a domestic flight to Madrid and I depart here shortly .... so will be back in Sydney Saturday morning then another domestic home to Melbourne.
Well will leave it there for now ..... they are calling my flight.

Wednesday 27th of June 2012,
Awoke to gentle pitter patter of rain this morning but still quite warm, low 20's after a very muggy night. Off to Cee today .... about 25km .... had breakfast and sat around till about 8.30, when rain stopped and out popped the sun. So off we trod through forests of eucalypts and great views of the water. Arrived in Cee early afternoon, with the day coooling rather than getting hotter, grabbed some lunch then the domestic duties of washing clothes, etc.
Went for a wonder around the town and then settled in for a pleasant dinner with my 2 palls and 3 other pilgrims, that we chatted to along the way. As night approaches cooling down considerably.
Dodgy transmission tonight, so will try later or in the morning to post this?

Tuesday 26th of June 2012.
Negreira to Olveiroa, 31km, hot and humid, started early as it was going to be another blistering day, walking mainly through eucalypt forests .... at least some shade. Its now just getting dark so will hit the hay soon ... still walking with Irene and Ilga, glad they both speek good English , as my Dutch and German is very poor. Whilst enjoy a beer late afternoon a friend from the Le Puy part walked in .... he has already been to Fisterra and Muxia and is walking back to S de C and will fly out from there.
Well tired, its been a long day, hope I can sleep as its still a hot and humid 27 deg C, so till tomorrow, bye.

Monday 25th of June 2012,
Set out from S de C early, 7am start with about 21km to cover, pleasant at first mid to high teens and sunny, thouugh good shade on country lanes and eucalypt forests. Ilga and Irene walk well and we make good time and reach Negreira a bit after midday ... a definite stop as temp now up into mid 20's and humid, some lunch  then get cleaned up as hot and sweaty from the trail. With laundry on the line and all cleaned up, we head back to the bar for a little R+R as its at the hottest part of the day, up round 33C so good beer weather then diner and an early night, which at this time of year is about 11pm as it doesn't get dark till then.
A long walk tomorrow, some 31km and its going to be hot again.
Poor reception, wouldn't post, so will try later ..... its 2.15am and trying again!

Sunday 24th of June 2012,
Slept in this morning, didn't surface till about 10am, normally up at first light. Must be this sitting around or maybe the sun, high 20's today, outside under umbrellas, sunblock on ..... very pleasant.
Several of the group left for home today. I will start walking in the morning and on to the Atlantic, will be walking with a Dutch and a German lady tomorrow will see how we go, pace wise that is what seems to determine who you walk with. Well I know I sent off some emails this afternoon and on re reading them later in the day ... sorry, but it seemed a good idea at the time ... how can you slur the written language, well I did it. Apologies to all!
 Well very late at night and up early, even set the alarm due to sleeping in this morning.

Saturday 23rd of June2012,
Well 12 weeks after starting, Here I am having breakfast in Santiago de Compostela, a big night out last night and sore heads from most of those that are up, it appears coffee is the first words spoken on arrival this morning and shhhhh, my head hurts or got any aspirin.
Lots of fun last night with music and dancing, food and lots of beer wine and yes even cognac to end the day, someone tried to shove a cigar in my hand, but no, I would be tasting it for days, so gave that a miss. Its funny but most are wearing there sunnies today, well at least its sunny again but still coolish.
More, maybe later ..... Well have the people at hom talking about Black Caviar in the UK , well I don't realy care but, all my best ... to horse and trainers, but ??????? not my thing.
For Australia, hope she wins, but had a father who followed horse racing, therefore I have no interest!
More interested in some of the local tapas, with local wine.
Cheers Luke

Friday 22nd of June 2012,
Its about 7.30am, 11 degrees and the sun is out, though there are a few clouds, with a top of 19 expected. Have had breakfast and another coffee so we expect to leave shortly  .... only 10 km to go so a little over 2 maybe 3 hours I to the cathedral.
More later ..... well in Santiago and yes it is a magical place, you feel like you have achieved something special, the pilgrims mass , and all that goes with it. But to me there is still more, Muxia!
Lots of fun and revelry today, sure it will go on into the night .... its 3.30-4pm , will see if capable of a later post.

Thursday 21st of June 2012,
Arzua to Lavacolla about 12km, its quite cool this morning. The temperature gauge says it 14 but it feels like its about 10, so we are rugged up against the wind. Not in a hurry to get going, its about 9am and enjoying a coffee and an omelet.
The sun is out so we should have a reasonable days walk, so walking at a casual pace should be at Lavacolla by 12.30-1 for another relaxed lunch.
More later ....
Have had a pleasant day in the sun though its not exactly hot, about 18-19 at its best late afternoon.
Only 10km to Santiago, friends all excited at almost being there, but I feel a little down as after tomorrow I may not see them again?

Wednesday 20th of June 2012,
Walked 16-17km to Arzua today, it was overcast, coolish but at least no rain.
Got to a top of 18 today but the breeze was coolish. The walk is through forests and farm land, about 22km to Santiago de Compostela. Have considered walking it all in one go but the ladies say this too far for them, with all the hills and things so whats one more day when I have been walking for 81 days already and about 1500km, feet and ankles are good.
Food is great though haven't had a Pilgrim meal for a long time, a group of us usually buy about 3 meals between the 9 of us and all share, as the meals are huge so its not overly expensive and a carafe of a passable wine is dirt cheap.

Tuesday 19th of June 2012,
Its summer, but I'm not seeing it, it got to a top of 19 today and that was at about 5.30 in the arvo. We at least had a bit of sun very early in the morning, but by 10am back to overcast and the occasional shower, well towns close together and mainly walking through forests so was quite cool  10-12C and water dripping from trees but still its very beautiful country.
Melide for lunch and there renowned octopus dishes, yum ..... ate it for lunch and diner as well.
Staying in a private Albergue tonight, quite cosy though as bunks packed in.
Only about 40 km to Santiago de Compostela then another 120 onto Muxia via Fisterre, then I guess home after a bit of a rest up, open ended ticket so when is flexible.

Monday 18th of June 2012,
From Gonzar to Palas de Rei 16-17km, undulating but easy walking, overcast and the odd shower, have hardly seen the sun in weeks like how I started out, but a bit warmer .... not much but a bit. Summer in spain, I was told its so hot, but apart from a couple of days about a month back have had coolish weather.
Anyway back to Palas de Rei and lots of yummy bars and restaurants to eat at.

Sunday 17th of June 2012,
Today on to Gonzar about 17 km, but a steep descent into Portomarin and breakfast, then a steep climb up and out and on to Gonzar and lunch. Have to stop early to get accom or book ahead as so many other people walking this stretch of the Camino. I have seen women in high heels walking along, its strange. Anyway each to there own.

Saturday, 16th of June 2012,
Sarria to Ferreiros (13-14km), weather overcast with the odd shower expected. Walking through forests of beech. absolutely beautiful country side except for the multitude of walkers on this part of the Camino, but its still fantastic. Like everywhere on the Camino, its up and down territory.
Make Ferreiros about lunch time and settle in for the arvo, a few showers late in the day and we are dry and enjoying some lovely wine and tapas ... lunch is a long affair that sort of followed into diner and then an early night (well for Spain, as it does not get dark till about 11pm).

Friday 15th of June 2012,
We all got going early this morning, 9 of us in total and for a change all English speaking. So have covered some 9-10km to Samos where we are enjoying a pleasant breakfast, sun is out and its about 15 deg, no wind and is quite pleasant plan to stop at a small village called San Mamed do Camino at a private Albergue ... all up a bit over 20km. Food arriving so bye for now.
Its about 1pm in Sarria , about 3km more than expected  but planed place booked out so on to Sarria.
A little further than expected but ankles great, no hassles, all is good.
120 km to Santiago, so about a week, maybe less ??????
Walking with the gang has been amazing, I guess we have just gotten on so well, and to all meet up so close to the finish, think we will stay together till Santiago and then? Not sure re Fisterre/Muxia, some seem interested?
Well, Sarria ... jam packed with pilgrims, lots straight of the bus, different world, very commercial part of the way! There are organised tours of them with guides and all. This is the shortest distance to get your Compestela, they walk with no packs, luggage transported for them. And I don't think the locals are as happy with the pilgrims here, its big business on this section and they look at us like we are hobo's.
Will catch up later! Luke

Thursday 14th of June 2012,
Ankle soso, ok with boots on but walking slow and steady and careful where I put my foot down as the path is uneven here. Weather overcast but great views, no rain during walk, it to Triacastela, (9km) and stopped for lunch there. Whilst enjoying a yummy lunch, inwalks the Canadians I was walking with a few weeks back and then later the 3 Aussie ladies arrived.
So that was that, the afternoon turned into a party .... raced off to organise accom and a quick clean up and back to the party, which went well into the night

Wednesday13th of June 2012
Managed to get boots on and walked to Fonfria, about 12km, enough for today. Ankle OK but don't want to stress it. Took it easy and will do it with care for the next few days. Am in no rush, so no problems!
Well people catching up to me now, great to see them again, now I'm the invalid.
Well tomorrow another day!
Luke xxxx

Tuesday12th of June 2012,
Its late at night and finally on my own, have had people fussing about with advise on what to do and how to treat my ankle .... I can feel its much improved already.
Stayed put today, just making the necessary walk to the bar for nourishment, where I stayed most of the day and night, except for an afternoon siesta.
Weather wasn't the best today cold, wet and windy. Its on top of the world up here, but very exposed to all of the elements.
So off to sleep now.

Monday 11th of June 2012,
Up early this morning, have had breakfast and waiting on weather, its partly cloudy with splashes of sun and the odd shower so will head of at next sunny spot .... so a steep climb today though not a great distance, it will be difficult. O Cebreiro is only 12km away and almost at the top then a big down hill stretch just as steep, its easier going up.
Rain has stopped and the sun has broken through, the world is all sparkly like trees decked out for Christmas. Bye for now!
Not as bad as I thought, but about 300m from O Cebreiro, I rolled my ankle on some uneven ground, so hobble on and here I am, its swollen don't think I will get my boot back on, should have know to keep the boot on, well have it taped and will see how it is tomorrow morning, a tad sore at the moment.
Have been very lucky all trip, no blisters some calluses, but sand them down and they are fine. Hobbling around in my light weight runners, if all else fails may have to walk in them. A bit early to start drowning sorrows so a coffee and a relax, then some lunch and a beer.

Sunday 10th of June 2012,
Today turned out OK weather wise, around 20 with the sun peaking through during today's walk. Am in Vega de Valcarce about 24km walking today. went to bed a bit early tonight so am awake and its about 2am so thought I would do some catching up on blog, etc.
Ran into numerous friends today, nearly always when passing through a town and they or you are sitting down having a coffee or beer.
Tomorrow O Cebreiro, a long and steep climb a bit like out of Saint Jean Pied de Port.

Saturday 9th of June 2012,
At Ponferrada having breaky and a yummy mug of coffee an early start, weather overcast but rain holding off. On my own again as 3 Aussie ladies don't start early.
After breakfast will have a look around and maybe head on to Cacabelos? Will see if anything convinces me to stay?
Well 4pm in Cacabelos, accom organised, lunch enjoyed, new friends encountered.
This is what its about, new friends, great times, mmmmmmmmmm
Well, will get back, later .... luke  

Friday 8th of June 2012,
Slept in this morning, no trucks picking up garbage or other pilgrims zipping things, coughing, chatting
and just general noise. So here it is 8.30 ish enjoying breakfast and looking outside at rain, big thunderstorm over night, the thunder had everything shacking.
More later.
Well half an hour after I decided to stay ... sun came out, and stayed out, got up to 23 and was lovely, bugger, bugger, it was meant to be crap, no, thats the next 4 days now??????? Weathermen/women? ..... bloody bewildering! But who knows whats happening, do they????????? Any way had a very good day, so far .... Aussie ladies also stayed due to weather report.
Had a ball with them, minimum age difference but they are from a different world, there more like my mom, but great fun!
Well tomorrow on the move again but, where??  Only a few km to Ponferoda or on to Cacabelos.
tomorrow will tell.

Thursday 7th of June 2012,
Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca .... about 25km, damp, overcast and not very inviting to go out walking in. Well there was a break in the weather and headed out, its one of those up and over walks today climb about 450m to  a bit over 1500m then a 1000m decent into Molinaseca and off the Mesita, some fog which ruined the views and its a bit cooler up high, so moved it along today hoping to avoid the rain, got in around 1 ish, booked in got cleaned up and a bit of lunch. Bumped into 3 Aussie ladies doing the walk, they walk about 10-15km a day and luggage transported for them at a cost. Well great to chat to them as have only run into a few Aussies and Kiwis so far. Found I really liked it here and as weather looks like worsening have decided to stay another day/night here.

Wednesday 6th of June 2012,
Astorga to Rabanal del Camino, started walking about 8 this morning , the weather threatening shower and possible thunderstorms.
Well some how avoided the rain, was having a coffee stop when one shower went over and had a bus stop to shelter in when another passed, so didn't have to drag the poncho out.
Any way made it to Rabanal del Camino at about 1pm .... walked mainly by myself today, but the walk is getting busier and busier .... with summer come the hordes, apparently. Find it easier to stay in the B+B's or the Private Albergues or a Hotel, you don't have to queue up, costs more but often private room with en-suite, worth it.
Keep on running into friendly faces from prior bits of the walk, its great to catch up.
Ran into a couple of Aussie Ladies today at the bar, haven't heard an Aussie drawl for ages, they are wombling ( a mix of waddling and rambling is how they explained it) along at 12 -15km a day and get there packs transported from place to place. Well everyone does it there way. You even come across people with donkeys to carry there gear or people with, trailer like things that attach at there waste????
Well again its after mid night so time to hit the hay.

Tuesday 5th of June 2012,
Well a showery day, warm and moist, on and off with poncho, starting to get back into some hilly territory but no great climb, at least its not beside the road, lots of little towns. Ended up walking to Astorga about 26-27km, light showers persisted but  kept dry though a tad muggy. At a nice little B+B tonight on my own for a change the others decided to stop early. The nature of the way ... needed a bit of personal space for a change. Caught up with some other friends at a bar and had a great chat and a few drinks. so good night for now.

Monday 4th of June 2012,
Very muggy weather warm and showers, a very easy walk to Villar de Mazarife, a bit over 20km, its still flattish land, no big hills to climb. This is another of those alternate routes, away from the highway, the customary route is on the side of the road and is boring.
weather, well sun one minute and a shower the next???? not too bad in the morning but as it gets hotter ,well very tropical. Using a poncho instead of wet weather gear as its too hot.
Anyway usual afternoon thingy, eat drink and be merry, am I escaping life or living it, I like the later version.
Diner awaits, maybe more later.
Great food,wine and of to bed, late again.

Sunday, 3rd of June 2012,
Was woken up very early this morning by garbage trucks emptying the bottles and things from the restaurants and bars in the area, very noisy! And then there is the church bells! So up early'ish and out to get a coffee or 2.
I need to do some shopping new socks a new pair of trousers for the walk the zip on one pair has given up the ghost and can only be warn as shorts now, besides after 9 weeks of constant wear ... looking a tad second rate, T shirts too. Well will see if anything open a bit later.
Being joined by my fellow travellers, some looking decidedly seedy and tired from a big night out.
I know its early but a beer for breaky often helps, then theres the big fry up of eggs, bacon and the lot, mmmmmmmmmm, getting hungry now!
More maybe later.
Well its 10.30 and I'm tired, big day, lots of walking, found all I needed, even a small lap top, note book, tablet???? anyway with Vodaphone pre paid satelite/radio???? No more queing up waiting to get on, paying for an hour and not using it all.
Ready to move on feel like I've been here a week though its only a day and a bit, well almost 2 days.
Next place, haven't even looked? See where my feet take me tomorrow, not sure if my fellow travellers are ready to move on or not, see in the morning.

update ... Saturday 2nd of June 2012,
Well on my way to Leon, be there by lunch time, then a day off , warm but these's weird storms, come out of now where and gone as quick? Well yes in Leon great time, Saturday, party time??  Am I up for it ?? Will give it a go ??? Well someone has to do it, mmmmmm
Good food, great company, great hospitality, mmmmmmm
Well taking a well deserved rest here for a day or two? Will see what happens?
Back in hotel, still hyped up so thought I would update blog ... its about 3am!
Made it to Leon, had lunch, accom a bit hard to secure, but waiter made a few phone calls and we are booked into a small hotel just around the corner. Handy, close to the main square where lots is happening .... siesta in the arvo then out to diner about 9ish .... music everywhere, but the cigarette smoke is overpowering at times .... other than that all is well in Leon. Lots of noise still outside but people starting to leave. Well time to hit the hay,  more later.

Updated  .... Friday 1st of June 2012,
2 months into walk now and over 1150kms walked so far ... well definitely more as some times have to wander around towns to find accom /bars/restaurants.
Well up early again as its going to be hot today, warm already and its only been light foe about 15 minutes. Am walking today towards Leon though Know I wont get there today and expected to get to 29 around lunch time the 19km to Mansilla de las Mulas will probably be enough, it was a long walk yesterday around 33km, but a terrific day all together. I have convinced Yanis, Eva and Mim to get up early due to the heat and are heading out soon, will grab breaky down the road a bit.

Got caught in a thunderstorm  just before we got to Mansilla de las Mulas, no where to shelter, very steamy in wet weather gear, then found a bus stop to shelter in ... the rain didn't last long ... 15 -20 minutes at most. Very humid, conditions ..... so soon as we got here that was that no more walking today, sun is back out ... tapas time, a beer and then some very pleasant white wine  ... alternating wine with sparkling mineral water. Don't want a repeat of the other day.The bars owner tells us to come back tonight as live music , lots of fun. Will see how we manage the afternoon?