Signing off - till next time! Adios.

I am sitting in the departure lounge at Heathrow, waiting for my flight to be called, ready to begin the long journey home.  The last few days I have spent in London, generally just pottering.  I bought a one day ticket on a "hop on, hop off" bus tour, which actually meant I could use it for 2 days.  I did a number of trips with them and learnt all sorts of information about London.

Looking towards St Martins in the Fields, with the art gallery on the left (and just a few people!)

The simple cross in the window of St Martin in the Fields.

The Tower of London.

St Pauls

Westminster and its clock tower with the Bell known as "Big Ben"

The building is known as The Shard.

I really like some of the new buildings and their innovative shapes.

The new and the old stand side by side.  The Shard, on the opposite bank, is reflected in the building.

I stayed on the fifteenth floor of a University of Westminster Halls of residence.  This was the view from my bedroom window! 
London has meant that I have been able to catch up with friends old and new.  This was a real treat as I battled the crowds here.  I think it was as well that I spent so much time in Santiago before heading to London, otherwise I would be reeling even more from the onslaught of the crowds - wall to wall people is a good description.

It was fitting that on my last day in London I visited St James Church, in Spanish Place.

The interior of the church.......

....... and one of the shells inside.

I caught up with my friend Charlotte who I met in Orkney so long ago it seems, and who, like me lives in Stirling though it just so happens they are in different countries!  She was down for her daughters wedding, and only an hours train ride away.  It was good to see her.  Then one evening I had a celebratory dinner with Adam, a new Camino friend who can talk "Camino" as much as me, if not more!  I met him in Santiago, post conference, and when I say we met up at my favourite bar in Santiago before midday, and left the bar at about 6.30 you will have some idea of how we can both talk "Camino!"

It seems strange to be heading home after such a long time away, and it will probably be even stranger settling into normal life.  This has been an amazing adventure.  I have met so many wonderful people, and I have been helped and encouraged by people I have met along the way.  But you folk reading this have helped and encouraged me on this journey too.  Your comments on my blog, your emails, the visits from some of you, and in some cases your chats - via Skype, have cheered and supported me no end.  Thank you.

This is the last post for this blog, though I may correct some of the typos and spelling errors at some point.  I'm sure it won't be the last Camino blog, as my feet have still got some miles in them, but maybe not so many at one time.  When the Camino calls I will let you know the new blog title.

Thank you all for your words of support.  With affection, I'm signing off, blessings,  Janet.