Santiago to Finisterre - Three days on the road

-
After three days of walking with cooler mornings that developed too quickly into blazing hot siesta afternoons, I made it to the Cape Finisterre Lighthouse. 

Leaving Santiago via the medieval moat and the oldest surviving gate to the city 

I was soon following arrows once again.

Into the green shaded lanes up and away from the city.

Crossing the occasional 12th century bridge,  

I stopped for lunch in Negeira and had by a mostly shaded climb 
to the wonderfully welcoming Albergue at A Pena run by friends Manuel and Maria

I played some music before dinner 

Nothing as refreshing as a cold beer after a long walk. Then enjoyed a delicious communal meal, and played some more.

Despite my intention to depart with the sunrise

I was almost the last to leave - hard to say goodbye I suppose 

The next day was difficult, hot with not much shade. I took far less photos due to the fact my phone melted.

Finally, after a 30 km shuffle carrying lots of water, I enjoyed an even more welcome beer at O Logoso.

Next morning I did manage an earlier getaway- as high 30 degree temperatures were forecast.

I had walked this way before- still with ‘feet that feel just  like lead’ and the occasional dicky knee, this was not Bossanova time. I had big shoes to fill.


A short time later I came across a werewolf, the legendary Vakner. 

As you can see, he had no Chinese menu in his hand - but his hair was perfect.

Not long after, the descent to the coast commenced 

By the time I reached San Roque, I had the Atlantic in sight.

Following the old shaded path through the forest helped me cope with the heat 

And there it was - Cape Finisterre around 12 km into the distance.

Could not resist it. When I reached the beach before  Finisterre I took the plunge- in jocks. It felt wonderful!

Reclothed and mostly dry and feeling much cooler,
I walked on to the Cape

I took a moment and sang ‘What a wonderful world’ sitting on the cliff and watching the ocean 

Time for a beer at the bar at the end of the earth 

I arrived and felt good, in spite of the ridiculous weather 

Finisterre is a magical place. I am looking forward to chilling here for a few days - in every way.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mollymook to Barcelona - Half the world away

-
Image
I have returned to Spain - starting from Mollymook last weekend and arriving in Barcelona yesterday - half a world away.  This Camino experience will be different.  Instead of following one particular path, I will be walking sections of  different routes and taking detours in various places - more free wheeling, as well as volunteering as a hospitalero for a couple of weeks. A hospitalero/a is someone who looks after Camino pilgrims in an albergue - a type of hostel manager (more on that in coming days) Another difference was that this Camino started with a pilgrimage to watch Collingwood play Geelong in Melbourne (Collingwood lost 😞) and the opportunity to visit family and leave from my sister’s front door.  I walked to the tram and took a bus from the city to  the airport, then checked in my pack and prepared for the flight to Barcelona via Dubai. The war in the Middle East had been a concern. After 14 hours, I reached Dubai and had a short stop over. Dubai s...
Read more

Scenes from an albergue

-
Image
Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago cannot live on paella alone. They need other food and wine, and song, and company, and solitude, and a good sleep - and help at times. At Albergue de Peregrinos at Villadangos del Paramo we are doing our best to provide!  David and I are approaching the mid point of our volunteer Hospitalero gig. The days are filled- in fact it is surprising how little time there is to be still. We have been to Leon a couple of times for groceries  We have been catering for between 5 and 17 pilgrims each night - it varies day to day. Each group is different. Sometimes it’s like this:  Other times it is like the United Nations. Last night we had 14 guests, and 10 nationalities. Sometimes there are mostly men. Other times there are mostly women. Well someone has to do the check-in! We have even had a couple of canines along with their humans. One specifically requested that I stamp his credencial - ‘of course!’ Today David and I took the bus to Leon again ...
Read more

Salceda to Santiago de Compostela- Arrived!

-
Image
Today I arrived at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. There was much celebration. Friends ahead of me friends behind me - we watched each other walk in - memories of steep climbs and descents, being alone, being together on the path - came flooding back. There was no need for words - just smiles and hugs, and plans to get together tonight. Head light primed for an early start. I organised with friends further along to meet them for breakfast - I had some kilometres to cover. It was dark. Fortunately, I (sort of) knew the path. I had walked it in daylight - and in the rain and dark before. I stayed here once . . . Years ago, a good friend came back to this place to see if I was alright. It was cold, dark and wet. I had been ill and he checked on me. We walked together to the Cathedral, even singing ‘Volare’ towards the end when I came good. I made breakfast at O Pedrouzo- how wonderful! Everyone wished each other well- some I had seen each day, others not for ages. After breakfast, we bi...
Read more