My walk into Santiago de Compostela was in light drizzle, the same way it had started in St Jean-Pied-de-Port 27 days earlier. I leaned into this final 10km bumping against the sky’s mood but feeling a steady, rising elation. I thanked my feet, legs, body and mind. I noticed once more the warm comfort of these marching friends that lifted me. I praised God, the Universe, divine intelligence, luck, fate, attraction, the energy-laden ley lines that run along the The Way, the pilgrims before me, and whatever else might have contributed to the undeniable magic. You cannot leave this experience unchanged.

I walked down the stairs and rounded the corner. The cathedral, the end point, was there. I kissed the ground. I was finally here. Grand Santiago de Compostela, 799km later. We celebrated. We ate our last breakfast together. We bumped into and hugged other pilgrims we knew. I collected my Compostela certificate. We went to mass in the Cathedral and I cried at the beauty of it all, this perfect ending. Australia was mentioned because I was there, and I felt counted. I was emotional again when priests and fellow pilgrims, Mario and Luca officiated at the mass in grand red robes. I’d walked with Luca and dined with Mario at our Alburgue.

They say the Camino really starts when you leave. This is when you get to plant the gifts in your home garden. We are constantly walking away and towards the next journey. As I write this I’m about to have a late dinner for one overlooking the sea in Porto, Portugal. I’m on a new Camino.

Here are a few things, this journey has taught me:

~ Get to know yourself and be your own best friend.

~ Set your goals and intentions, this simple act is so very powerful.

~ After you’ve done your homework, step into the fear and the unknown. The view is never clear and there isn’t always a red carpet.

~ We have a mandate to grow. Keep growing and learning.

~ Give yourself permission more often. That’s often all it takes to find yourself down a wonderful road.

~ There are no limits, only the ones you make for yourself in your head.

~ Walk happily through this life. It is full of tiny miracles. Notice them.

~ Never pass up an opportunity to get to know someone, you will never fail to be surprised at what you discover.

~ Immerse yourself frequently in the outdoors. Exercise and oxygen are incredibly life-enhancing.

~ Look after the landscape, we’re inextricably linked.

~ Live wild. Live light.

~ Drop the guilt, it’s over.

~ We dance alone and we dance together. Find wonderful people to dance with often.

~ Connect with people. Drop judgement, look into their eyes and hear their story. It always overlaps with yours.

~ Laugh and laugh and laugh some more. It’s a simple and wonderful balm.

~ Crying is a healing wash for the soul. It’s okay to cry.

~ Let go of pain, it’s over.

~ Choose to heal, it’s often a choice.

~ Expand into the Universe. Take up space, you belong here.

~ Expect happiness and find it quickly as we’re only here for a finite time.

~ Love is everything. Love you, love others. Love fiercely

~ Take that journey.