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Day 4, Pilgrims made a loooong haul (13 miles with a lot of inclines and declines, forest and moors) from Kirk Yetholm to Wooler, the toughest day of the Way. We did get out first view of the North Sea and the Northumberland coast. #beyedoers #walkingstcuthbertsway

Day 3, a few pilgrims dropped in at St. Cuthbert’s Coffee Stop in Morebattle, as we hike into Kirk Yetholm, across the Cheviot Hills and the highest elevation on St. Cuthbert’s Way, Wideopen Hill (369 meters, 1210 feet above sea level). #beyedoers #walkingstcuthbertsway

Day 2, from Harestanes to Morebattle, after an overnight in Jedburgh, Scotland, home of Jedbergh Addey, a favorite of the Scottish kings. The tall spire away on the horizon is the Waterloo Monument. #beyedoers. #walkingstcuthbertsway

Friday, after morning prayer in the Priory Garden, we walked across the Eildon Hills and on to Harestanes.

Thursday, we traveled to Melrose on the River Tweed to visit the ruins of Melrose Abbey, a successor to the earlier one which trained and ordained Cuthbert. Hilary led us in evening prayer and then we retired for dinner at Bert’s.

On the arrival night in Edinburgh, we visited Reverend Richard Frazer at Grayfriars Kirk, a landmark in the city where he has been priest for 25 years. He described many of the miracles his own pilgrimage journeys have revealed, we celebrated the Eucharist and then he treated us to a sumptuous dinner at Grassmarket Community Project, an outreach and hospitality initiative of the church aimed at sustainable service to the homeless, addicted and unemployed in the city.

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For the night followed by the day, for the idle winter ground followed by the energy of spring, for the infolding of the earth followed by bursts of unfolding, thanks be to you, O God. ~ J. Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction

Finally, our pilgrimage came to an end in Santiago. The cathedral was undergoing restoration, but there were still massive throngs of pilgrims, both outside and queuing up around the corner for the certificate.

We don't really think of tombstones as belonging to anyone, but they do; just outside a church on our way to Santiago, we saw this one. Year 1950. Property of Miguel Vasquez Sanchez. Hórreos are typical granaries found in Galicia. Lots of off-road sections on this last ride into #santiago; our pilgrims walk their bikes over a narrow stone bridge. Pilgrims mass up below a particularly steep climb to discuss options; then, they all come up the hill! Farm shots en route to Santiago. Another little dog from #ElCamino

I'm order: Sunrise over Mellid on our last morning. Jonathan climbing up a surprisingly steep rise. One of many churches on the way. Pilgrims riding toward open skies. An impromptu shifting lesson from super-guide Michael, on the last day. Hilary meets a #dogofspain. Sheep! #ElCamino passes through many little communities, most of them agrarian. We share space with sheep, cow, and tractors. A swallow cuts through the frame. Spain is very conscientious about energy use, with turbines and solar panels everywhere. The lights are on timer switches in common areas, too, which was wonderful except when the lights would go out suddenly as we packed our bikes each morning :D. One of many hills on El Camino.

Some shots in O Cereibro. The first shows conditions on our departure; 30s, wet, and foggy.

Shots from around Portomarín! This was all part of our route from Sarria to Mellid, the penultimate day.

Nearly at Mellid, out penultimate stop

European Robin on route into Santiago

Historic foot bridge in Portomarín

Just a few of our happy pilgrims, smiling as we leave the mountains (the weather was about to go downhill as we were: 30s, icy rain, and a strong wind descent for 3000 feet)

Some of the animal life we've seen on the road (including bunnies, living free in a yard in Sarria, for Matt and Carmen!)

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Doers of St. James's Episcopal Church