Galicia and beyond

Hi folks!
Well the feet seem to be standing up to the new boots and I do not have the problem I was having with the previous shoes. In all my preparation reading I did not know you had to buy shows two sizes bigger than normal to allow your feet to swell! As a result for about 150 miles I have been walking having dislocated the second and third toes of my left foot - not something children should try at home! I am glad to say that my feet are slowly restoring themsleves and adjusting to the new footwear!
I have entered Galicia which is the mountainous region in which Santiago lies. I have to say that the climb into the area was like walking back home. The hills are bedecked with purple heather and are rolling and lush in a way that you would maybe not expect within Spain. This area is the Celtic area of Spain brought most forcibly to mind with the bars playing bagpipe music of the region.
I have to say that as I am now entering the last 100 miles I am beginning to have thoughts about returning home. The environment is adding to this as for the last week or so the weather has been pretty grey and changeable - gone is the sunshine of the first 10-12 days. I feel very much that my last few days of walking has been very similar to walking on similar days back home.
As I begin my thoughts of returning home I am aware of a growing desire within to do so. I am looking forward to seeing familiar people and to catch up with those whom I have had not much chance to speak within the last few weeks. Equally, I begin to realise the need for a return to my own community - to my place in the midst of life. When leading the pilgrimage on Iona several years ago, I remember speaking on arrival at the Hermit´s Cell of the individual´s need at times for withdrawal and solitude. How the demands of life and community living often force each of us to need time to reflect to become more aware of where we are and in some cases to deal with more personal issues and pain. Yet, after such times there was the need to return to our place of community and of life to carry on the struggle of living.
I feel this way now and it is a growing force of feeling leading me in some ways to be tempted to rush its dawning. Yet, the great reality of pilgrimage is that I am still many miles away from home and several days walking. I cannot rush what will ineitably come, instead I must centre myself within the process of the day´s walking that are ahead and so to make the most of each day as it presents itself. It is to easy to dream away the opportunties of each day in the pursuit of future expectations. So, I will take each remaining days of this week and do my best not to dream too much of journies home, but rather to make the best of each days journeying as it happens.
Hope you are all well and I´ll hopefully see you soon!
Scott