17 June Santiago

Had a pleasant breakfast in the lovely garden of Costa Vella, then noon mass at the Cathedral where I was lucky enough for the Botafumiero to fly - amazing. It was worth 1.5 hours of standing through a catholic mass!
Lunched at Gato Negro on the recommendation of Roberto of Costa Vella with Scot (Scotland) and Helen (Adelaide who had walked from Paris to Santiago) . Very authentic with better pulpo than Melide and excellent mussels. Walked round this beautiful town, through the cathedral before pre dinner sangrias and guitarists in one square (born to be wild) and then an orchestra in the next one.
Dinner at Maria Castana (also recommended) and again fantastic. Mussels with boiled potatoes, chorizo with ‘turnips’ (spinach to me), lightly fried baby octopus.
Slept well in courtyard facing room in the new hotel.Read more