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  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    1
    Day 50

    Santiago de Compostela

    Yesterday in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Day 42 Santiago de Compostela
    Distance from Amenal to Santiago 17kms

    The final day of our Camino.
    The sun was shining as we set out the temperature a cool 9c we walked with a spring in our step. Surprisingly the way was quiet and at times we had it to ourselves a good time to be in the moment and concentrate on our last steps towards the city.
    Santiago came into view some 6kms out the excitement rose a level.
    Walking into the square at 11.20am 6 weeks after we left St Jean Pied de Port (to the day and time) full of joy and a sense of achievement.
    An Adventure it has been without injury or blisters embracing the challenges and putting one foot in front of the other for over 800kms.
    Filled with pride and wonderful memories this adventure has now come to an end.
    I hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have.    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    Day 49

    Amenal

    June 12 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Day 41 Amenal
    Distance from Ribadiso to Amenal 29kms

    Into the home stretch.
    We have been walking for 6 weeks and on average a half marathon every day.
    The end is in sight (well almost) with the last 15kms to Santiago tomorrow. It’s a surreal feeling and one we will relish having put one foot in front of the other day after day week after week and having realised a dream.
    Today has been long but an easy walk cloudy for the most part with a light breeze to keep us cool. The terrain has been much the same as yesterday and as we draw closer to the big city we have started to loose the rural feel and the sights which we have both loved. We crossed over highways and onto forest paths through small towns passed by large vegetable gardens and
    reached our destination for the night in a quiet hamlet for the last time.
    May tomorrow bring us joy satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment.
    Buen Camino    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    1
    Day 48

    Ribadiso

    June 11 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Day 40 Palas De Rei
    Distance from Palas De Rei to Ribadiso 26kms

    After a pleasant evening at our albergue last night sharing dinner (cooked by our host) with fellow pilgrims we stepped out into a crisp clear morning with the path to ourselves. The section we walked today was both hilly and flat quiet lanes. We stopped to have an early lunch in Melede famous for its pulpo (octopus) as usual it was cooked to perfection and after chatting to other pilgrims set out for the remaining 17kms. Over stone bridges and passing vans selling Camino memorabilia we kept walking. Our pace has quickened our excitement to reach Santiago increasing.
    Staying at a lovely new albergue run by a friendly Italian we have packed for tomorrow and ready for the walk to the last stop before our final destination.    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    Day 47

    Palas De Rei

    June 10 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Day 39 Palas De Rei
    Distance from Portomarin to Palas De Rei 27kms

    Leaving Portomarin this morning before the sun came up the town still sleeping and the streets to ourselves. The water was like a mill pond as we crossed over the bridge to take the path by which we would follow today. We climbed gradually for 7kms and rewarded ourselves with breakfast of eggs and toast delicious after a good workout. We made a detour to visit the remains of the Iron Age settlement from the IVth Century BC what a privilege to see such history. We are staying in a small hamlet at the edge of town quiet and quaint and nearby is the smallest little house we have seen it’s like a little pink marshmallow.
    With our early start we came across fewer pilgrims the sun was shining and we are now only 3 days away from Santiago.    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    111
    Day 46

    Portomarin

    June 9 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Day 38 Portomarin
    Distance from Sarria to Portomarin 25kms

    We left Sarria this morning along with many other pilgrims most of whom were starting their 1st day of walking. They walked with fresh legs clean shoes and an eagerness to complete their first day. Walking today took us through woodland paths and along gravel tracks . Although the paths were busy with the influx of new pilgrims it was a welcome change and at times there were few. We passed through small hamlets spotting a white turkey with a blue face he refused to pose for a photo. A momentous moment as we approached the 100km marker it seemed surreal that we had walked so far.
    Portomarin is a lively town (overlooking a reservoir) buzzing with pilgrims overflowing restaurants and cafes food markets and gelato shops (my favourite) we love this town!
    Another fabulous day meeting new pilgrims from New Zealand and other parts of the world and although the temperature was a cool 17c it was pleasant to walk in and we had another great day on the Camino.
    The final countdown
    4 days remaining.    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    1
    Day 45

    Sarria

    June 8 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Day 37 Sarria
    Distance from Triacastela to Sarria
    19kms

    Leaving Triacastela on a foggy morning with the views obscured we climbed up and out of the town and along the woodland path. We hoped the fog would lift and the threat of rain would not come to much. Villages were few and those we did pass through housed the local farmers attending to their cows vegetable gardens or simply standing outside the cowshed having a yarn.
    The path was easy and the distance short it felt like a long stroll.
    Sarria has become a major starting point for pilgrims with limited time (or energy) and with 100kms to Santiago (the minimum requirement to receive a Compostela) the way becomes busy. The rain stayed away another Camino friend arrived in Santiago today and we have 5 days to go.    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    Day 44

    Triacastela

    June 7 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Day 36 Triacastela

    With little less than a week remaining to walk to Santiago we chose a rest day here in Triacastela. Our stone albergue is cool and has been a haven in the 30c heat today.
    We found a little bakery (in the basement of the bakers home) we were shown where he bakes the bread before purchasing our loaf still warm for lunch. Late afternoon when the temperature cooled we wandered along the local stony track and up into a nearby settlement no longer inhabited but we stretched our legs and enjoyed the shade the path provided. The village of Triacastela is small with its 100 year old walnut tree and dwelling of the local smithy doubling as an inn dating back to the 16th century a common stopping place for pilgrims to shoe their horses and stay.
    Rested and refueled we are ready to start the last stage of the Camino in the morning.    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    Day 43

    Triacastela

    June 6 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Day 35 Triacastela
    Distance from O’Cebreiro to Triacastela 25kms

    Starting out today with early morning mist the hilltops appearing above the clouds and little to see but the path ahead. The sunrise made up for the lack of views and we entered a delightful forest track that wound around the hillside before dropping down to a small farming village. The sun burnt the mist away and once again we were rewarded with tranquil rural views. We avoided standing on the spanish black slug and a baby snake! We screamed as it made its way across the path in front of us but delighted to have seen one in the wild. A small herd of cows (with horns) appeared as we turned a corner. I said to Bronwyn I didn’t fancy running with the bulls we both laughed and gave them a wide berth. As we entered our village for the night we came upon the giant chestnut tree (said to be around 800 years old) with its thick trunk which offers shelter to pilgrims and is the most famous tree on the Camino.
    We said goodbye to Kristen our camino friend today whom we met on day 1 of our walk.
    We have walked together shared rooms meals and stories along the way and we shall miss her cheerful face.
    Staying in a lovely stone albergue and having a rest day tomorrow.
    1 week remaining of the Camino Frances.    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    1111
    Day 42

    O’Cebreiro

    June 5 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Day 34 O’Cebreiro
    Distance from Villafranca to O’Cebreiro 12kms

    A magical day.
    We started out early (after a great breakfast at our albergue) knowing we had a steep climb ahead and a temperature reaching 27c. The path took us up and around the mountain and although it was on the steep side we found it to be relatively easy. As we climbed the views just got better and we stopped often to admire and soak up the
    magnificent scenery that we were privileged to be walking through.
    Cows having just been milked and hay made on its way into the barn broke the concentration and allowed us time to step back and take a break.
    We crossed over into the Galicia Region known for its mountain streams and deep river valleys along with the local red wines and famous steamed octopus dusted with paprika. As we neared the top we were welcomed by a gentleman playing the bagpipes what a great way to finish. Galicia has a Celtic past. Lunch at a lookout of goats cheese and sardines on bread we couldn’t climb any higher we felt good.
    We arrived in the quaint mountain village (for the night) of O’Cebreiro with its 9th Century church and resting place of the parish priest who did so much to preserve the Camino. We have been grateful for his idea of the yellow markers which have helped show the way.
    It’s all downhill tomorrow leaving the mountains behind us.    Read more

  • TravelerAlwaysonanadventure
    Day 41

    Ruitelan

    June 4 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Day 33 Ruitelan
    Distance from Villafranca to Ruitelan
    24kms

    Walking parallel to the river and along a quiet country road with only a few cars in as many hours. We anticipated a steady climb but were surprised at how easy it was passing through small forgotten villages with few inhabitants and no amenities.
    To our delight we came across a small goat farm on the edge of a village with a sign saying goat cheese for sale. Through the iron gate we went and were fortunate to see the goats being milked in a tiny shed whilst in the adjoining building the milk was being processed into cheese. We bought cheese rolled in herbs and were invited into the processing room. No English was spoken but we enjoyed the tour.
    Through steep valleys we made our way up to the village of Ruitelan where it is said San Froilan lived as a hermit in a nearby cave in the 9th Century. We sat by the river soaked our feet ate goat cheese and tomato sandwiches and talked to fellow kiwi pilgrims.
    A rest afternoon in readiness for one of the steepest climbs tomorrow.    Read more

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