Enjoy :)
Sunday 4 May 2014
A few Pictures
Here are just a snapshot of my journey across Spain.
Enjoy :)
Day 2 : Another rainy day
Walking through quaint Spanish villages
A common site, poppys.
Burgos Cathedral
Early morning view
Leon Cathedral
In the Leon Mountains
Just 100km to go to Santiago
WE MADE IT ! (CJ, Me and Alex)
Me and my Compostella
Santiago!!
Traditional Spanish Pipe band
FINISTERRE!!
0.0km to go!!! :D
Beautiful Clear Blue Sea in Finistere
Watching the sunset to mark the end of our journey!
:D
Enjoy :)
Wednesday 17 July 2013
Finisterra rest day!
Today after a reasonable lye in (7.30am) we had a breakfast which was supplied by the albergue. Jess and Alex went straight to the beach so after we were ready myself and CJ went into the town to run some errands. After this we went and met them on the beach and had a sunbathe. Me and CJ also had a dip in the sea and i got to wear my swimming costume which I was told I may not need to bring. It was beautifully clear and blue and the sand was very soft and clear of rubbish!
We then moved after a quick lunch to another bay which was nice. This one had deeper water so we went swimming! When it got too hot we headed back to the albergue and got showered.
Tonight we are going to another bay to watch the sun set with a bunch of other pilgrims so that should be fun!
Tomorrow we head back to Santiago and then fly on Friday!
Finisterra day 4 - Cee to Finisterra (lighthouse) 17km
Today myself and CJ left the albergue later than the other two (who left at 5am) as we didn't want to walk on the dark for our last walk, especially as it has views of the sea etc. We ended up waking up at 6am and setting off at 7, however the sun was still not up fully and this was not helped by the low cloud which hung over Cee and as it turned out Finisterra too!
The walk began with a steep climb up to the tops of the hills behind Cee. Then it passes through woodland and eventually out of the mist Finisterra appeared.
We walked straight to the lighthouse which is the official end to the camino and has a 0.0km marker. The views were not as food as they could have been due to the weather but it was exciting to see nothing but sea ahead of you. I didn't feel like I thought I would though. It was strange as I felt happy that there was no more walking and a sense of relief that I had made it but also a kind of "oh...what now" feeling. I think perhaps a combination of homesickness and exhaustion.
We met the other two who were relaxing on a rock on an edge of the cliff (sounds more scary than it was). After quite a few cheesy pictures we collected our items together in one of the firepits and burn them in a traditional pilgrim ritual. I burned a pair of socks which I have worn away whilst on camino and the others burnt the hats that the lanzarotte men gave us to take to Santiago. It took a few attempts due to the gusts of wind but eventually they caught.
We then made it back down the long winding road back to the centre of Finisterra. Here we got our finistellas (certificate to show we walked the extra 87km) and then found a really nice albergue run by a lady called Alexandra.
The r has bunks but with bedding and a real Cotten towel!! We then got a really nice lunch where I had curried rice and vegetable dish and it was all fresh and flavorsome! After a nap and shower we then all walked around the town and had a quick dip in the sea - which is crystal clear and blue!
After another very tasty meal for dinner we headed back to the albergue (apart from CJ who went to watch the sunset at the lighthouse).
The walk began with a steep climb up to the tops of the hills behind Cee. Then it passes through woodland and eventually out of the mist Finisterra appeared.
We walked straight to the lighthouse which is the official end to the camino and has a 0.0km marker. The views were not as food as they could have been due to the weather but it was exciting to see nothing but sea ahead of you. I didn't feel like I thought I would though. It was strange as I felt happy that there was no more walking and a sense of relief that I had made it but also a kind of "oh...what now" feeling. I think perhaps a combination of homesickness and exhaustion.
We met the other two who were relaxing on a rock on an edge of the cliff (sounds more scary than it was). After quite a few cheesy pictures we collected our items together in one of the firepits and burn them in a traditional pilgrim ritual. I burned a pair of socks which I have worn away whilst on camino and the others burnt the hats that the lanzarotte men gave us to take to Santiago. It took a few attempts due to the gusts of wind but eventually they caught.
We then made it back down the long winding road back to the centre of Finisterra. Here we got our finistellas (certificate to show we walked the extra 87km) and then found a really nice albergue run by a lady called Alexandra.
The r has bunks but with bedding and a real Cotten towel!! We then got a really nice lunch where I had curried rice and vegetable dish and it was all fresh and flavorsome! After a nap and shower we then all walked around the town and had a quick dip in the sea - which is crystal clear and blue!
After another very tasty meal for dinner we headed back to the albergue (apart from CJ who went to watch the sunset at the lighthouse).
Finisterra day 3 - Maronas to Cee (31km)
Last night was a good nights sleep finally! And a good job too as we woke up at 4.30am to begin our long 31km walk to Cee.
As it was so early we begun in the pitch black and used our head torches until the sun started to appear at 6ish. The walk was again fairly hilly but not too bad. There were no cages or towns between Olveiroa (where we ate breakfast) and Cee as it is all through rolling hills with quite steep valleys so there was a lot of up and down! And we had no more rest stops!
The best part of this walk was the last 2 or 3k when the sea appears below the hills just in the distance. Despite the very steep downhill climb the sight of the sea is a great feeling! It signifies not only the end of a very long walk but the realization that you have walked all the way from France, through Spain and then to the coast! Tomorrow we shall just have 16km to go to the lighthouse where the official end of the camino is!
Cee is a lovely town with its own little beach and a harbor. Our albergue (albergue Finisterra) has bunks which look out onto the sea, you can hear the waves hitting the boats in the harbor. Myself and CJ then went and had a quick paddle in the sea and picked up a couple of shells. We then went back to 'collect' the others to go and get some dinner. We also had a quick mosey around the shops. I was naughty and bought a really nice notebook which looks like an old style leather bound book.
As it was so early we begun in the pitch black and used our head torches until the sun started to appear at 6ish. The walk was again fairly hilly but not too bad. There were no cages or towns between Olveiroa (where we ate breakfast) and Cee as it is all through rolling hills with quite steep valleys so there was a lot of up and down! And we had no more rest stops!
The best part of this walk was the last 2 or 3k when the sea appears below the hills just in the distance. Despite the very steep downhill climb the sight of the sea is a great feeling! It signifies not only the end of a very long walk but the realization that you have walked all the way from France, through Spain and then to the coast! Tomorrow we shall just have 16km to go to the lighthouse where the official end of the camino is!
Cee is a lovely town with its own little beach and a harbor. Our albergue (albergue Finisterra) has bunks which look out onto the sea, you can hear the waves hitting the boats in the harbor. Myself and CJ then went and had a quick paddle in the sea and picked up a couple of shells. We then went back to 'collect' the others to go and get some dinner. We also had a quick mosey around the shops. I was naughty and bought a really nice notebook which looks like an old style leather bound book.
Finisterra day 2 - Nigreira to Maronas (21.4km)
Well. Last night music begun and it sounded as though it was right outside the window despite being a couple of streets away from our albergue! The live band played until 5.30am and after no sleep we got up and begun our 21.4km day.
The walk was fairly hilly but not too bad. It didn't pass through many towns at all so the first possible cafe we stopped for a beverage. It is, in the book, supposed to be a 30k day today and John does it in 3 days but we want to do it on 4 so we cut it short. Tomorrow will though have to be a 30k day.
We ate at the albergue as there is literally nothing
The walk was fairly hilly but not too bad. It didn't pass through many towns at all so the first possible cafe we stopped for a beverage. It is, in the book, supposed to be a 30k day today and John does it in 3 days but we want to do it on 4 so we cut it short. Tomorrow will though have to be a 30k day.
We ate at the albergue as there is literally nothing
Saturday 13 July 2013
Finisterra Day 1 - Santiago to Nigreira (22km)
Well last night we ended up at a restaurant called ´Tokio", DO NOT GO HERE! Firstly the waiter took only one persons drink order and then disappeared. Then he only took one persons food order and disappeared. After this, when paying, he took the money and disappeared. We were then expecting our change but he reapeared to clear other peoples tables and didnt even look like we had change on its way. We caught his attention and he had basically put our money away and forgotten and not bothered to even check the amount. (we wingled out €2 change which was probably a little more but thats their fault!).
Then we returned to the albergue and I got ready for bed as the others wrote their journals. Then, who else but Julia appeared! :O
We had lost her as she had continued on to finisterra and walked longer days than us so we thought we would never see her again! It was ´fate´as she hadnt planned on returning to Santiago at all and she ended up at the same albergue and even the same room as us!!! She is today on her way to Pamplona to run with the bulls so we all wish her luck! It was great to see her again and she waved us all off this morning and gave us all a gift (a little shell bracelet).
The walk today was not as bad as I was expecting as the big steep hill depicted in Johns book wasn´t as steep as shown. We set off at 5.30am and arrived at 10.30ish, so we then had the whole day to relax. I took a very quick shower as they have no doors, and then washed my clothes. I look forward very much to returning home and not having to do this!
We then walked into the town and there is a festival on today in Nigreira so we got to see some kind of parade. There was also a spanish jazz type band which was fun and they paraded up and down the streets a few times. There was also a traditional Spanish Pipe band who were also in traditional dress. This looked boiling as they were all black and covered head to toe in many layers of heavy embroided material. It was nice to see though and then we returned to relax some more at the albergue.
Then we returned to the albergue and I got ready for bed as the others wrote their journals. Then, who else but Julia appeared! :O
We had lost her as she had continued on to finisterra and walked longer days than us so we thought we would never see her again! It was ´fate´as she hadnt planned on returning to Santiago at all and she ended up at the same albergue and even the same room as us!!! She is today on her way to Pamplona to run with the bulls so we all wish her luck! It was great to see her again and she waved us all off this morning and gave us all a gift (a little shell bracelet).
The walk today was not as bad as I was expecting as the big steep hill depicted in Johns book wasn´t as steep as shown. We set off at 5.30am and arrived at 10.30ish, so we then had the whole day to relax. I took a very quick shower as they have no doors, and then washed my clothes. I look forward very much to returning home and not having to do this!
We then walked into the town and there is a festival on today in Nigreira so we got to see some kind of parade. There was also a spanish jazz type band which was fun and they paraded up and down the streets a few times. There was also a traditional Spanish Pipe band who were also in traditional dress. This looked boiling as they were all black and covered head to toe in many layers of heavy embroided material. It was nice to see though and then we returned to relax some more at the albergue.
Friday 12 July 2013
Santiago (Our First Rest Day)
Today we had a lye in! :O (Til 8.30am!)
We begun our day with breakfast and I was finally (for the first time in a month) able to have a CUP OF TEA! It was great!
We then went into the Cathedral once again and went to ´hug the apostle St.James´ which is a tradition of pilgrims from very early times. This was a weird moment but felt like we were completing the pilgrims traditions. We then went below the alter to see the tomb of St.James and there was a very beautiful silver coffin which is eledgedly holding the bones of St.James. This is the orriginal purpose of the Camino de Santiago.
Then we went for a browse round the shops, it was nice to be relaxed about our day for a change. After a cheap lunch (ie. burger, fries and large coke for less than €5!) we went and got some frozen yoghurt (mmmm yum!) and went and sat in the Cathedral square again. Its lovely to watch pilgrims enter and all hug each other and take funny pictures in front of the imposing building!
Tomorrow we begin our walk to Finisterre which I am somewhat dreading as is rather hilly and apparently quite stenuous. Anyways, I shall also blog about this stretch too so keep checking :)
We begun our day with breakfast and I was finally (for the first time in a month) able to have a CUP OF TEA! It was great!
We then went into the Cathedral once again and went to ´hug the apostle St.James´ which is a tradition of pilgrims from very early times. This was a weird moment but felt like we were completing the pilgrims traditions. We then went below the alter to see the tomb of St.James and there was a very beautiful silver coffin which is eledgedly holding the bones of St.James. This is the orriginal purpose of the Camino de Santiago.
Then we went for a browse round the shops, it was nice to be relaxed about our day for a change. After a cheap lunch (ie. burger, fries and large coke for less than €5!) we went and got some frozen yoghurt (mmmm yum!) and went and sat in the Cathedral square again. Its lovely to watch pilgrims enter and all hug each other and take funny pictures in front of the imposing building!
Tomorrow we begin our walk to Finisterre which I am somewhat dreading as is rather hilly and apparently quite stenuous. Anyways, I shall also blog about this stretch too so keep checking :)
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