Blogs from Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain, Europe - page 11

Lazy day or Geocache day? We decided to have a quiet day before we moved on to Santiago de Compostella. Getting up however at a reasonable time is getting more difficult as the days go by! People got up at various times before 11 and we had a bit of brunch - weather is colder than it has been. We decided to have a look round Melide so after uploading a blog and getting some co-ordinates for geocaches we headed off. Arrived in Melide and wandered about the town. The Camino runs straight through it so its littered with small hostels and bars... Most of which were closed like the shops as it was the middle of the day. Looks for a geocache in the centre of town but couldn't find it... It did take us ... read more

Mr Catherine - always a good way to check in! Taxi arrived at 11 (Charlie's) always on time and even with a little queuing on the M25 we were at the airport by 11.45. Plenty of time as the flight wasn't until 2. Straight through check-in (even though Catherine was down as Mr Catherine Ludlow - no none seemed to care) then security and we went to eat in Giraffe - really good for airport food. Not cheap but at least we had a great view. Then we wandered down to get on the plane. For some bizarre reason they boarded from front to back -but hey doesn't really matter - one man seemed to have the kitchen sink in his hand luggage. im not sure how some people get away with this? Bit delayed taking ... read more

As I sit to write this on my final day in Santiago I do so with a heavy heart in light of the terrible train crash last night. The crash and the rain today (seems appropriate) have had sombering effects on the city. I will go to the noon mass again today to meet a dear friend of mine, Jeroen (the one who has walked for over 3 months from his home in Holland), and to pray for all those effected by this terrible accident. My heart is heavy, and I really wish to go home, but it is cost prohibitive, so I will walk on tomorrow. What I hoped to find/gain from my pilgrimage occurred what seems ages ago - that and so much more that I never expected. I can't go home early so ... read more

Today was a needed day of rest. I had no real plans and no real sights to see. Mainly just wandered around town, went into some stores, revisited the Cathedral a couple of times, and especially had a good time sitting at the cafes watching people, reading, and overall just taking a break. Santiago is a great city for this rest because it truly is on the end of the pilgrimage route, and all day you see pilgrims stumbling into town, ready to get rid of their packs and walking sticks, and just sit down and celebrate their accomplishment. Actually, traditionally, pilgrims would burn their clothes on the roof of the Cathedral. But this was less celebratory, and more necessary back in the day of rampant diseases and really smelly pilgrims. It makes me wonder, though... ... read more

I’m sitting on the boat with a howling gale of over 30 knots going on outside. The boat is rocking from side to side and the wind generators are having a field day. The best part is I’m in a protected harbor tied up to a dock at the yacht club marina. Since there’s absolutely nothing else I can do and I have exhausted all projects (that I want to do at least!), personal hygiene issues and a variety of normally successful stalling tactics I guess it’s time to write the blog about our trip to Santiago. When we first arrived in Cangas we met a young man who sails in this area, spoke fluent English, was currently living in Zürich but whose mother was Spanish and father was American. How’s that for international? Janice, ever ... read more