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Portuguese Camino 2019
  • Jim McCartney
  • Jim McCartney

Portuguese Camino 2019

Porto to Santiago de Compostela and on to Finnistre Read more
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  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Big Day tomorrowv

    October 3, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    All packed and ready to go ... Muxia 31-38 K depending what options one takes the purist ( and there are plenty) would say you should make your way to the End of the World and then walk north back through Finisterre on your way to Muxia but I was there today and don't really see the point as it's not actually a part of the Portuguese Camino anyway that ended in SdC last week . This is an add on . So I expect to be walking around 6 hours difference being this time I will be carry my full pack about 11 Kilos I need to see if this old man can manage it for a long day If I'm doing another Camino I would like to go full hog not book ahead and walk and see where you can find a bed and obviously to do that you need your bag or as was often referred to by some as 'the fat bastsrd ' on your back . So I'm a bit nervous but excited too . Want to head off early but not too early as it stays dark and I can't find my head lamp I think I must have left it in my locker in Seminario Menor hopefully I'll get when I get back on Sunday night .

    Good thing is I found out from the man who owns the place around the corner where I had the menu del Dai today he opens for locals for coffee at six so if I'm awake early as I invariably am and want up and out I can head there for a coffee I may even try one of those intriguing little liqours the locals here and in Portugal take with the coffee in the mornings . I imagine it's some sort of hair of the dog or an aid to digestion anyway we will see it would make the cornflakes a bit too rich ! Off to sleep . I'll be in touch    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Off we go !

    October 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    That's me up packed ready to head off for what may well turn out to be the final purposeful walk of the odyssey that has McCartney's Camino Portugesse 2019 !

    Bloody Cafe wasn't open that bodes well lol

    Buses don't run as often on a Sunday so not practical to do return walk here as I had hoped then bus to Santiago so will have to take 7.30am bus back to SdC from Muxia on Sunday morning agh well never mind . But first I know a cafe that opens here at 6am so coffee wait for it to get a little lighter and that see what the day brings. No coffee shop open ! agh well enjoy it when get one    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Coffee!

    October 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Didn't have the wit to wait which wasn't the smartest thing I suppose but just completed 14K and found a coffee shop open. Tough going but you know what I've a definite spring in my step .. I'm not going anywhere any more I've started to make my way home and it's time !Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Just been visited by two Camino Angels

    October 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    After I stopped for coffee after resuming I had to readjust my backpack . Instead of stopping I done on the move so obviously it wasn’t sitting correctly but I pushed on then I started to notice my shoulders and legs getting sore but I just put it down to the fact I push on .. all of a sudden this couple came from behind me and very sweetly but firmly started to adjust my straps it seemed to help , So Ugate from Canada and Jean Pierre from German thank ... just one example of the many random acts of kindness I have witnesssed over the monthRead more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    I have arrived ! Very happy ....

    October 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    This is nice .... tea coffee in tap In town yards from sea ...paper sheets yeah I was missing them and the lovely Judith tells me there is a salt water spa for the feet in the basement and. terrace on the roof for the sun .But first things first a hot shower or what tends to pass here for hot shower !Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Sunset

    October 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Had a shower and ate the food I had carried all bloody day, a good sleep so set out to explore but soon I discovered how tired I feel . Lovely place but you know what it'll still be here tomorrow so think I grab a beer hang about for an hour to see the sunset and then bed .This place I'm staying is nice but in closer inspection I can honestly say it's the first place I've stayed and there has been a few that didn't meet its hype. I think it was probably state of the art about 8 years ago when it opened with its electric sliding doors and professional kitchen but it's getting tired and other places have surpassed it in my view . But it's a clean bed it's central and my bunk is beside the bath room and the bunk has curtain and power point, excellent wifi so who is complaining. Can't believe I'll be sleeping in my own bed even if it doesn't have curtains on Tuesday night !!!!
    NB ...nearly got scalded in shower !!! lol    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Sunset 2

    October 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Can't Help Myself.... From the plan of sitting in a bar watching the sunset I found myself walking the rather steep path up to the recommended vantage point . Suppose it was a matter of striking when the iron or sun was hot in case tomorrow night the weather wasn’t so perfectRead more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler
    1

    Good Morning

    October 5, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Slept well let's see what today brings quite looking forward to a quiet restful day but let's see.
    Beautiful place and glad I witnessed a wonderful sunset .This place has a strange vibe it is largely made up of well dressed prosperous tourists staying in nice hotels and using the upmarket restaurants around the harbour and exhausted mainly young walkers and a few new age dudes trying to make the best of remaining funds . It also dawned on me I had been here before last year on my last day I took a bus tour and the place I went to see the sunset was one of a number of whistlestops but definitely better at night.
    The hostel kitchen was very busy last night but with so many people and nationalities very quiet .They have a system here anyone who doesn't want any food or drink as I can relate to would rather dump than carry leave it in a particular fridge and anyone can use it . It was fun seeing people scrapping together marvellous concoctions with what they had bought and what was in it .. I was able to have some olives and sauerkraut with my brie and toast .

    I'm sharing breakfast as I write this with what appears to be a German Youth Group .I should speak but you know what I'm just enjoying the anonymity a big place gives one .

    Could not help myself they are a youth group from Bavaria outside Nuremberg and have been walking for 8 days Cassis their leader says it's been good but the young people have found it exhausting . They have had one rest day in SdC and are now going somewhere ,didn't quite catch where, for a day on the beach I think there may have been a little mutiny !!!    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler
    1

    Sad Day but so many memories

    October 5, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Day   laced  with  sadness  toe cap off a bootiful relationship with my  pair of sole mates .We've been down a  lot of roads together  . Adiós my smelly amigos

    Seriously though 2 Camino's and many many miles of prepartion over the last 16 months and never one blister or as much as a broken toenail They owe me nothing ! Aldi best !Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Nice Day

    October 5, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    In the last 3 weeks I've had some very challenging days, some lovely days, some relaxing days and met all sorts of amazing people from all over the world ! I will remember today as one of the most restful. Apart from the trauma of dumping my hard worked walking shoes, an amazing little encounter with a group of excitable lady lace makers , the ongoing stress of wondering if the super snorer would end up in my dorm again , and my altercation with the rogue seagull nothing much has happened !
    Just having a beer while listening to some of my music waiting for another glorious sunset and then head to bed and up for an early bus back to SdC and another day nearer home !!! Can't wait    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Semenario Menor again last two Nights

    October 6, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Feels good .. booked in allowed to leave my pack in room although can't access to 130 ..Still on the 3rd floor room 232 but 100metres closer to lift and next to refurbished showers and toilet ... simple pleasures ! Put wash on ! now coffee.

    Clean clothes in locker think I've earned a wee walk to a cafe/bar I know !    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Maybe its all just a dream

    October 6, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Will it never end went to get my paper sheets before resting in my lovely room and on the way back up I just smiled at a lady in the lift and she wept in my arms Bea from Brazil had just finished 32 days from St.Jean to Santiago after leaving home 3 months ago to work her way here. The poor lady is absolutely and utterly exhausted emotionally and physically and still had the grace to ask my name and about my Camino . She wouldn't let me help with her rucksack which I suppose I can understand ♥️ Feel like sleep has passed me now but a bit of quiet reflection is needed I think and a bit of Johnny PrimeRead more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler
    Does anyone know the time?

    What a kind people !

    October 6, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Leaving in the dark this morning I left my inexpensive watch on my bed and have just received the following Whatsapp from the lovely lady at last night's Albergue 70 k away. Her name is Judith and we laughed about it not being a typical Spanish Ladies Name . Feeling blessed by kindness .. This was a 15€ a night Albergue !!!Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Breakfast @ Murphys

    October 7, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    In town early to collect my watch from the nice young taxi driver from Muxia .Town looks and feels so different in the morning quiet still and calm. It's nice only thing I don't get is cafes don't open early suppose they are open late .Anyway I did come across a Irish Bar of all things serving coffee

    No plans today just take it easy and see what happens. I'm feeling very tranquil this morning almost like my work here is done I think my feet are here but my heart is back home. So just tie things up here and home tomorrow to loved ones X    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler

    Walking World !

    October 7, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    On my wandering in town this morning I came across a set of scales outside a Farmica. I was conscious that my belts had needed adjusted a few times over the weeks. So after scrambling about in the multitude of pockets in bloody walking trousers for 20 cents on I popped !
    Well what do you know in the past 4 weeks McCartney has lost 1 stone and 5 lbs !!!

    So I'd officially like to launch my alternative to Slimming World ... Walking World ! The Crux of it is
    1. Eat what you can when you can
    2 Drink as much Coffee as you like !
    3 Drink Beer all sorts strong, alcohol free, gluten Free, Guinness when available and when possible as early in the day as you can
    4 Drink Wine with meals , before meals ,after meals and if must be instead of meals
    5. WALK WALK AND THEN WALK SOME MORE

    Fitness video and monogrammed pink socks and bright green attire in a store near you soon !!!

    NB Synning and haircuts are totally optional !    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler
    They are not singing this morning !

    I'm going home I'm going home ...

    October 8, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Slept well last night (Blast must have been at least 100 cells away) I've just had the last of my food for breakfast (1) not everyday one has Spanish Omlette with Olives pâté and Spanish Quavers for breakfast but one can only have so many giant Croissants ! My flight isn't until 5 pm so have a bit of time to put in and as luck would have it it's raining
    I'm all packed just need to vacate my room for 930 .I had planned to leave here around 1030 pack on board do few things in town get lunch and head for bus to airport around 2 but if that rain continues I think I'll put my pack in a locker hang around here , always loads to watch from MY chair, for as long as my itchy feet will permit then walk into town do last few bits have Breakfast 2 . Come back get my pack and head for bus for airport and Home . Get the Spuds ready Kim ! X

    ps Just seen Blast looking a bit worse for wear if there is any justice...    Read more

  • Jim McCartneyPortuguese Camino 2019Traveler
    1

    Homeward bound

    October 8, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Well after a frustrating morning waiting on the fine rain passing I decided to go for it .So in my favourite breakfast joint which is 100 m from my bus stop ... for breakfast with chips ! Another wee plan before bus if I can find it .Watch this spaceRead more

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