Blogs from Cape Finisterre, Galicia, Spain, Europe

A day trip to La Coruña. Tim’s knee problems have forced a change in plans, and walking to Muxia is simply not practical, and probably not possible. No matter, we will head to Santiago tomorrow, stay a night, and use the extra day to take in La Coruña on a day trip. It’s a large city with a rich history and culture , so there is plenty to do and see. Today started with rain as we walked around the harbour with Tina from Sydney, so we called in to a bar for breakfast before the first hill of the day. The rain and storms never really eventuated but rain gear was always handy for the little downpours that disappeared as quickly as they arrived. Fifteen kilometres was all we had to walk but we didn’t ... read more

Wieder ein sehr kurzer Tag. Ich bin an der Atlantikküste entlang gefahren. Die erste Halbinsel war fad und ich habe schon überlegt, ob ich gleich nach Osten in die Berge soll. Aber dann gab ich der zweiten Halbinsel doch eine Chance, und die hat sie redlich verdient. Wunderschöne Blumen, Küste und Berge. Irgendwann fand ich ein Schild zu einem Guest House. Es ging lang bergauf. Und oben ist ein Haupthaus mit 8 Zimmern. Außerdem kleine Häuser in der Nähe. Zuerst war ich allein, dann sind noch 2 deutsche Paare gekommen. Sie reden Englisch mit mir und ich sag eh nicht viel. ... read more

It was a late start this morning. We had toast and coffee for breakfast and left the Albergue at 8.20. The torch was only needed early for about 5 minutes. The views and light were beautiful as we climbed high into the mountains. The paths were generally very good but I still managed to pick up stones in my boots 4 times. Ken thinks it's because I walk fast. I think I'm just unlucky in that regard. I made good pace and had a terrific but pretty uneventful, short day. At one stage I was followed by a few small birds that looked like finches and it reminded me of that Disney movie that had a real actor but small animated birds fluttering around his head. Can't remember the title. It was eucalypts and wind power ... read more

30 September 2016, Friday, Day 1 of our walk to Cape Finisterre. Santiago Road to Negreira. 14.55 miles Hotel Millan. Fitbit:. 13.64 miles, stairs 155 The Jacobean pilgrimage enjoyed widespread fame throughout medieval Europe. Land and sea alike were furrowed with routes full of spirituality leading to Santiago de Compostela. Seafaring ways used by pilgrims from Scandinavia, Flanders, England, Scotland and Ireland made their way to Ribadeo, Viveiro, Ferrol and A Coruna. After landing they made the 100 plus kilometer journey from the coast to Santiago on foot. One of the more noteworthy pilgrimages occurred in 1147 when a group of crusaders on their way to the Holy Land, took part in the conquest of Lisbon and aided the first king of Portugal in his struggle against the Moors. Before any bellicose encounter the crusaders would ... read more

Hola everyone, Its been ages since my last blog or so it feels. So much has happened and today is the final day of walking this incredible road. What will it be like to stop? Today is to Muxia tomorrow I bus back to Santiago and Tuesday fly to Alicante south of Barcelona. The walk to Finnisterre was 3 days since last Tuesday and included a night under the stars with my RAB survival zone bivvy protecting me from a huge dew fall. I slept a fulll 8 hours that night which was one of the best sleeps Ive had in Spain. Cape Faro lighthouse was spectacular and the cafe so good in ´the rain and high wind. Wrote emails and a postcard until my friends got there. Last night it was 3 Aussies for dinner ... read more