• Jim McCartney
  • Jim McCartney

Portuguese Camino 2019

Porto to Santiago de Compostela and on to Finnistre Czytaj więcej
  • Good Morning

    28 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ 🌙 8 °C

    Just shared breakfast with two South African sisters who are setting off to do The English Way a Camino which it is said is the ancient route English pilgrims followed from landing at Ferrol on the coast and walking to Santiago .

    Gone to bed so early last night been awake from 4 so been planning, the weather forecast for next week is lots of rain so I've hatched a plan which should see me reacquainted with the coast and cut down the walk by 30k but more news on that later as I have to see if I can change a few things first
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  • Nice Man

    28 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    I just met a nice Dutchman in the lift and we spoke he asked had I finished or about to begin my Camino .He tells me he is literally just checked in after walking from St Jean Pied de Port in France across the Pyrennes and across the top of Spain to Santiago 799k in 31 days. And you know what he looked as if he'd just had a stroll along Portrush Strand . We got out of the lift and started to walk together and it was honestly hard for me to keep up and here is the spooky thing over 400 rooms and many beds in dorms and where is his room yes next door to mine !! Czytaj więcej

  • Where to Start

    28 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Yet another great day. I was so pleased to meet so many folk I had encountered as they reached Santiago this morning then I had food with Jürgen the German man with the bad blisters who wanted me to meet his wife who has met him here after his walk This evening spent time with Leo the French Youth Worker and his young person. The effect this has had on Jessie is amazing even from the first time I met him you can see how much his self esteem has grown he couldn't make eye contact then and tonight he was happyb to have his photo taken with me proudly showing his Compostela (certificate ) for completing 13 days in the Camino
    NB Turned out Leo and Jessie had been walking for closer to 30 days than 13 RESPECT !
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  • Good Morning

    29 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    It's a wet quite miserable Sunday morning here as forecast . I think I'll just pop to the corner get the papers and have a lazy morning ! Or better still go to my room because I'm staying for 3 nights or more here I'm permitted to stay in my room to 11am not 930an and can return again if I wish at 130pm after the place is cleaned and ready for next influx . This place has 300 beds and is full every night !
    ,Anyway I'm going to listen to some music and plan what I'm going to do for the next couple of days here until I move again .getting itchy feet, but there is lots to see and do here but most of my Camino family have left now . Agh well just have to meet new people
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  • Super Sunday

    29 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    I have to say that has been by far the most relaxed day I've had since this started .Beginning with a breakfast coffee seeing some people off in a taxi to the airport back to the real world. I was then able to go back to my room wash my smalls and listen to music while waiting for the heavy rain to ease . About 10 I needed a coffee and some fresh air so headed off in search of the right spot for breakfast and to watch the world go damply by ...After a short stop watching some young kids play football
    I found my café where the barista made me a Large Strong Coffee which has proved more difficult to find than you would imagine along with a really lovely Spanish breakfast and a great spot under the awning to watch all today pilgrim make their way to the Cathedral . I spent a couple of hours drinking too much coffee and pointing Peregrino in the right direction to the Cathedral all the time rain never ceasing . So decided it's not going to let up anyway soon if at all .I headed of to find some lunch as supermarkets here don't open on a Sunday so dining in was not an option today .I found a traditional little restaurant in heart of Santiago which done a great Menu de Dai where I had Fish Soup Baked Chicken and ice cream along with bread and a Jug of chilled white wine which has just hit the spot..Back to my room now and I think a siesta is very much on the cards
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  • NIGHT NIGHT ALL

    29 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Had a great sleep this afternoon went down to canteen for coffee to bring me round met some 'bad' company had some drinks and a few laughs . Off to bed must find a barber tomorrow and then maybe some culture. town should be quieter Czytaj więcej

  • Right Call

    30 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Boy am I glad I decided not to walk to Finisterre over the next 3 days the forecast for today and tomorrow is just a continuation of yesterday's uninterrupted rain .Well plan today is meeting up in town for breakfast then I need to find a barbers and I must visit the Cathedral and a couple of museums that I put off visiting as they are so busy over a weekend Czytaj więcej

  • A Peaceful Oasis !

    30 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
  • Whatever

    30 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Well after Breakfast in town and seeing off our German friend this morning I've no real plans for today but I'm sure something will occur. Really fun night last night and all on one bottle of gluten free lager and one bottle of real ale !

    Head off to Finnister in the morning to explore and eat some good seafood and then s 30k walk to Muxia on Friday. I've decided to carry my pack to see how I manage for next year ...Kim ? I've sorted out a locker so I can leave some stuff here until my return on Sunday night but intend to carry around 10 Kilo to see how hard it will be . So I need to spend sometime today packing and making sure I don't leave something behind I'll actually need ..some chance ! Off to breakfast in the dark
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  • Mañana Mañana Anciano

    30 września 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Nice restful day but getting very itchy feet can't wait until Wednesday morning to get moving again It has rained heavily most of today but has cleared up in the last hour I hope that bodes well but we will see. . I've enjoyed having so much company the last few days but to be honest I'm starting to crave a bit of my own space even some isolation .. Grumpy Old Man is back !!!!

    My search for a haircut was a bit frustrating every one I found wouldn't take me today it was always a case of the famous or infamous mañana!!! despite at least two of them being completely empty . I booked one for 10am tomorrow but to heck with it I decided to trim it up myself the beard anyway don't think it turned out to bad
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  • Lasr Day in Santiago de Compostela

    1 października 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Well last day sort of I will be back on Sunday night and have the day on Monday before flying home on Tuesday . Today turned into a lovely day seen Horsén off done a little shopping started my packing .checked my route to the bus station for tomorrow and then met up with the lovely Venessa for drinks and dinner ate marvellous seafood tapas and probably drank a little too much while putting the world to night .Yet another memorable night oh and run into Peter the bloke from Starbucks in Seattle who has been to Finisterre and back and fly's out in the morning Czytaj więcej

  • What I can't use my bus pass ?

    2 października 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Well that me on the road again just waiting on 1pm bus. Good to be moving again looking forward to some exploring then good walk Backpack et al on Friday . Funny feeling since checking out this morning .. feel very calm and relaxed and that from here on I'm starting to make my way home . Czytaj więcej

  • What an incredible young man!

    2 października 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Can I introduce you to my roommate tonight. This is Kvist a remarkable young Danish man who gave his up his job in a slaugher house after saving every penny for 2 years to walk from his home in Denmark to Santiago de Compostela .He has been walking for 5½ months and today is his last day of walking for this trip . He's a blogger I am now following him ... and I'll give him some tips if he likes . We agreed to try and meet tonight for celebratory drink . His next plan is to travel to London stay with his mum for a few DAY and then go to Heathrow where he can put his name down and he gets opportunity to take a cheap flight he is only able to stipulate an area he will do Africa or South America ...Kim ? Lovely man even give me his mobile number if I needed anything ! Czytaj więcej

  • It's a small world went out to eat and

    2 października 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Sat down at the next table to the Australian couple who I met at my first Albergue and we planned to meet in Santiago I but lost their number ! They look good they covered a lot of K going between Central and Coastal Routes . Helpfully they walked from Muxia today and said it was hard day 8 hour day and only one place to eat . So I'll plan to take plenty of water and a wee picnic on Friday when I will do the return route.
    Oh I was treated to Colonel Sanders knocking out the beats at the next table .
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  • Diego ?

    3 października 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Starting to have my wee doubts about our amigo Diego ! Think the dude may have his control issues ..... lots and lots of rules and signs over Casa Diego and some at least to my Irish mind have a sense of threat ! lol Light out when Diego says so ! Sleep when Diego says so! Eat when and what Diego says! Is there a Spanish Mafia ?! Czytaj więcej

  • A Sauntering Day Ahead

    3 października 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Good sleep nice shower and a day of exploring ahead. My amigo Diego tells me you get a great view of the Sun Rise from our dorm and I must see it ! so hanging about until he tells me I can go ! Plan to walk the couple of mile to the Lighthouse and the famous 0km marker . Christian who is already gone we didn't get to have a drink or chat last night . He passed me when I was on the phone with Kim outside last night about 9 and when I came up later he was tucked up in bed. I spoke with him this morning and he had gone to see the sunset at the lighthouse ( officially the end of the world) which he said was fantastic ... I will go back up tonight weather permitting as mist is forecast with a chance of rain ... Really want to see the sunset and should have went last night I suppose but if it's not possible tonight I have 2 more chances at Muxia which I'm told are equally spectular . Have to go Diego is hovering with his reveille bugle at hand! Not so great a view Amigo ..There is always a tomorrow ! .Now let's find some coffee Czytaj więcej

  • Confused. com

    3 października 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Didn't think I needs Google Translate for this sign so heading down steep and I mean steep path wouldn't fancy being a pall carrier but this is what I found . Need to talk to some one !

  • Oh What a beautiful Morning

    3 października 2019, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Great Morning ...even a tiny wee adventure. stunning scenery lots of peace and quiet .Highlighted by running into the young Jessie who gave me the smile of the Camino .The brave young man elected to do the last leg of his Camino in his bare feet I have to admit it was a bit much the emotion got the both of us ! Finished off with too large a lunch too much vino and now regardless of what Diego says I'm having a siesta !!! Czytaj więcej