October 20 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Day 37. 10 kms. San Paio, Hotel Garcas – Santiago de Compostela
Not far to go but Hurricane Orphelia is ruining the view. We’re just having a coffee stop. We’re walking with a group of 6 Australians through eucalyptus forests. (As you do in Spain)
October 21 Santiago de Compostela
A fantastic end to this Camino. We got our Compestellas (certificates of completion), then the Pilgrims Mass in the cathedral and then we sat round watching this awesome talent in a bar 20 metres from our digs.
Lorry, Leo, Edith, Peter and Elaine in el Praza do Obradoiro
Catedral de Santiago.
October 22 Santiago de Compostela
And, so the grieving begins. After 800 Kms and 37 days, we all got here. At the successful end of every great challenge, a realisation of what has happened takes a while to sink in. Jane (I think it was you) once told me weeks ago that a Camino has two parts: the Camino itself then; the way back. I know that relationships based on intense, short term experiences rarely last but I will never forget anyone of you. So to all those who were with me on this one, from Canada, US, Eire, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Germany, India, UK, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, Brazil and Australia, Erica, Jane, Kirsty, Ria, Reid, Rithika, Charlie, Claudia, Marie, Brad, Cody, Bonny, Meredith, Larry, Edith, Elaine, Lorry, Derek, Mike, Megan, Helen, Mark, Jack & Jill, the three amigos, Katherine, Bam, To welle, Les, Lynne, Rob, Matay, Charlotte, and especially Leo, all of your company and was inspiring, wonderful and motivating. I fully realise that I’ll never walk in to a cafe and be greeted by any of you ever again, and for that I will forever grieve. You guys rock!
October 23 Albergue San Jose, Negreira ·
Day 39. 22 Kms. Santiago de Compestella – Alto do Vento – Augapesada – Negreira. A very cold and long climb to start El Camino Finisterre. We hope to complete this in four days. You could be forgiven for thinking this is a walk in rural Australia. Eucalyptus forests, bracken fern, blackberrys… Oh, wait! There’s fully functional renewable energy, again. Sorry, my mistake.
October 24 Maronas
Day 40. 24 Kms. Negreira – Vilaserio – Maronas. We decided to have a late start this morning and walk in the light so we had breakfast at the albergue then set off at 0800. It was still dark @ 0830 with a sea mist rolled in. The mist was all new to me. Very thick, wet and very cold but it all eventually cleared and the day lightened up to a beautiful stroll through forests and country lane rambles. An early stop @1330 meant we could get some washing done.
October 25 Cee, Galicia
Day 41. 35 Kms. Maronas – Olveiroa – Cee. We got going early today because we knew it was going to be long. There’s nothing but forests between Olveiroa and Cee so we had to keep going. Just past El Alto do Cruceiro, we got our first sighting of the Atlantic. Cee is a port city and its claim to fame is that it was the last port of call for the Spanish Armada. We must have just missed it.
October 25 at 10:09pm · Finisterre, Spain ·
Day 42. 14 Kms. Cee – Sardineiro – Finisterre. And we are done! A very easy morning’s walk along the east coast of El Costa del Morte to here. Showers, washing then strolling around town and maybe up to the lighthouse. Tonight, every peregrino in town will be sitting on the Praia do Mar de Fora (THE beach) with a bottle of vino tinto to watch the sun set in to the Atlantic. 😊 🍾
Lighten The Trip Fantastic 