Even though we are here for a full day until our journey home starts. We need to be out of the apartment by 12.00pm which is reasonable.
We make the magic happen with our backpacks, daily carried gear and the gear which we had transferred . Combined , nothing discarded into on board friendly flight cases ….. the perception by airport personnel is that backpacks like this with straps , clips pouches ,44 litre volume are too big for on board luggage. ( Oddly shaped they don’t readily fit the max sizer frame either).
Neatly squish it into a 400gram airline approved flight case – never been challenged.
We head out to spend the afternoon in the city – a coffee stop on the main plaza before our Cathedral visit first .
Through the arches and past well tended municipal art.
Taking familiar routes
Like minded souls that we are ….. we choose a corner of the best positioned restaurant shaded tables for coffee with a good view. Only to hear a shout from the next table.
It’s Fiona and MMM who have all their luggage with them. Sarah’s there to wave them off too.
Resourcefully they have managed to order a chilled bottle of Rosé ! – duly shared 
After hugs and a fond farewell – their journey home will take several days via Madrid then layovers in places like Muscat or Dubai . Thom and Luke go shopping and I take in the view . I don’t fancy giving up the table it’s too good.
Just as well … this table becomes a focal point ….. pilgrim reception desk as Sarah comes back briefly after some retail therapy – she’s heading on to Santiago tomorrow.
Then Jenny and Lemaryn WhatsApp- where are we ? – they’ve caught up.
Additional Rosé required
And one of my favourite photos of the tour
We all give in after taking many other random peoples photo for them and have our photos taken with the most popular photo opp in town.
It’s now 3.45pm and we leave at 6.00 so we head for lunch at the Hostel Rugby themed bar that the girls are staying in.
Everything is based around the RFU World Cup – shame I didn’t find it earlier ( maybe for the best 
) .
Rugby burgers , Team based snacks and Tapas ….. produce some of the finest , freshly baked , artisan ( and largest ) food so far.
And a last group shot of the expedition.
the only way to go in 28 degreesAnd a great flurry of final , noisy chat – we’re off in a minute … this is it.
More hugs , a few tears – hope to see them again – Thom indeed may do as he’s back in a week – and we head off to the Bus Station. Conveniently we’d left our bags in lockers there this morning .
All too soon we’re on the 6.00 ALSA to Bilbao
On the coach – And about to leave we hear a loud and rapid exchange in fluent Spanish outside . I hear the driver reluctantly agree to something and then – amazing ……. Hurricane Sarah dashes down the aisle – showers us all with thoughtful goodbye gifts – turns round and rushes off !!
Driver and guard only gave her 30 seconds as we were Family she’d said.
Well – we are really – her Camino Family , often the best type.
I’m doubly lucky that my own family is with me too. They are both !!
We’re in Bilbao 2 hours later –
Jump a cab to the airport – The driver was a huge character ex bookseller ex DJ he played a carefully curated English-based rock mix of Supertramp, Genesis, stones, Sabbath, while all the time, trying to engage me in football talk.
Much to the amusement of my boys in the backseat as he’s opening gambit was quite bizarre – “Tony Cascarino eh?”
I know more about Moorish Filigree work than football and I can hear giggles in the back at my attempts to swerve the conversation 
.
Airport 90 mins before take off , no bags , no check in and we leave for Manchester and Ciara waiting for us at the gate.
It’s been a blast.
It’s been a privilege to meet these people, in many ways I’m sad not to go on to Santiago with them. Thom however will do as he’s refueling back home – and Birthday 
! – and back on the trail on Oct 5th starting where we left of in Burgos.
The bonds and friendships will always be there.
Until next time
Xxxxx
Loved your blog Ian & will be coming back to it for tips when me, Mary & Alison pick up our Camino next year from Puenta la Reina. I’ll miss your updates. Maybe our paths will cross with you all on the Camino some day again. I think we all wish we were returning there with Thom when he goes back on the 5th.
Great blog Ian! Just wanted to give my heart felt thanks to Mark, Uli and Thom; they did more for my daughter than they will ever know during their walk from Burgos to Leon. Please pass it along to your son. Thank you from Dad.