After seven days and one hundred miles I arrived in Santiago at lunchtime today. This afternoon I had a quick look around the cathedral and queued for my Compotella pilgrim's certificate. As you can't fly from Santiago to London everyday I have tomorrow to do some sightseeing and go to the Pilgrims' Mass.

After a short walk today (just 18km) I've arrived at my hotel in time for lunch. It was a very dusty walk today but cool and quite flat.
Last leg to Santiago tomorrow. Should be arriving around the middle of the day.

After another hot and long walk I've arrived in Palas de Rei. I passed the halfway point at about the same time as St Mary's was starting the Parish Eucharist this morning. Tomorrow's stage is the longest so I've decided to treat my self and send my bag on its own! Tomorrow will also be a day for trousers as my legs got a bit sunburned today. I've got about another 68km to cover before I reach Santiago on Wednesday. I'm collecting the necessary stamps of my pilgrim passport so that I can get the Compostella pilgrims certificate and go to the pilgrim's mass in Santiago Cathedral. Just one blister but sore legs and hips!

I arrived safely at my first hotel last night after what seemed like an enormously long time travelling, or waiting for transport. I left home just after 10pm on Tuesday and arrived in O'Cebreiro at 6pm Wednesday. I'd forgotten about the 5km walk from the bus to the village. After attending the Pilgrims Mass I had a quick bite to eat before getting an early night.

I was up quite early this morning (earlier than planned as the walls were very thin and the people in the next room were making lots of noise) and completed my 13.2 miles for the day around lunchtime. It was raining hard at times but thankfully no blisters so far. I hope to get to the Pilgrims' Mass again tonight before the routine starts again. Only 11.6 miles tomorrow from Triacastella to Sarria.

All packed and ready to go! My flight to Santiago is early tomorrow morning. From there I catch a coach to O'Cebriero where my 100 mile pilgrimage begins. I'm filled with excitement and aprehension as I go.

I was at the Cathedral for the Eucharist on Sunday morning and the last hymn was 'From Glory to Glory, advancing...'

From glory to glory advancing, we praise thee, O Lord;
Thy Name with the Father and Spirit be ever adored.
From strength unto strength we go forward on Sion’s highway,
To appear before God in the city of infinite day.

Thanksgiving, and glory and worship, and blessing and love,
One heart and one song have the saints upon earth and above.
Evermore, O Lord, to Thy servants Thy presence be nigh;
Ever fit us by service on earth for Thy service on high.

The words are from the liturgy af St James and seemed appropriate to bid me off on the way of St James.

I will let you have more news of how things are going as I progress, if I can get a wifi connection. Thank you to those who have send me good wishes for the journey and promises of prayer. Its still not to late to sponsor me for the Children's Society. Forms are available in Church.