OUR WAY

 11th Jun 2025

Reflection

São Bento Railway Station, Porto, Portugal. Known for its entrance hall lined with over 20,000 painted azulejo tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history.

It was certainly sad to be packing our rucksacks for the final time – something that had become part of our daily routine. Each morning we packed up and moved on, never staying anywhere long, always with the road ahead in mind. Now we were heading back not to another town or albergue, but to our old daily lives.

This wasn’t just a holiday. It was something more – an incredible experience, and a rare opportunity to step away from everyday life and reflect on who we are, and who we want to be. You don’t get that chance very often – to slow down, to think clearly, to simply be.

The Camino gave us more than just aching feet and good memories. It gave us perspective. And now, as we return, the challenge is not just to remember the experience, but to let it change us – in small, quiet ways – long after the walking stops.

STATS: From St Jean Pied de Port to Finisterre

Total distance walked: 870+ km

Total elevation gain: 14,000+ meters

Day walking: 29 Camino Frances + 3 days to Finisterre

Total cost: €1968 (for two people)

Cheapest night’s accommodation: €8.50 (bunk bed)

Largest dormitory: 130 beds

Different beds slept in: 33

Average distance per day: 26.9 km

Washing machine usage: 4 times

Public toilets used: 3 (they're rare in Spain)

Nights Gaby slept with earplugs: 32

Nights I slept with earplugs: ½

Salami sandwiches consumed: Unknown – we lost count

Earliest wake-up: 5:00am

Latest wake-up: 5:45am

Items lost en route: waterproof trousers, earplugs, pair of socks, clothes soap, scrubbing brush, sit mat