Sept 14 Walking Day 8

Sigueiro to Santiago de Compostela - 15 kms

Woke up at 6 am this morning to get an early start on our walk into Santiago.  It is Mathilda’s birthday today so we began the day with birthday wishes at breakfast.  There were other pilgrims in our hotel and they happily joined in the singing.  The morning was cold and foggy but the sun soon warmed things up.  It was a nice walk into Santiago as we saw the sun rise and walked through an Enchanted Forest.  We stopped for a short break and soon found ourselves walking in the city toward the church.  As we arrived we noticed a huge police presence in and around the square.  We were last here in 2017 and didn’t notice any police then.  The square was very busy and we took a few pictures and then headed to get our Compostela certificate.  After receiving our certificates we headed for our hotel to settle in before going back to the church.  

At the church there were many tourists and we were herded through the area of St. James.  Last time we were here, 8 years ago things were very different.  We could spend as much time as we wanted going through the church but this time they didn’t allow anyone to linger.   It was still a nice visit and we had time to light candles and say some prayers for family and friends.  It is nice to be in Santiago and know we have accomplished what we set out to do.   

Someone once said “A pilgrim’s journey, unlike a traveler’s, never ends; it only deepens.”

And once again as I finish my fourth camino I know walking is the way to go.   

 

Sept 13 Walking Day 7

 O Outeiro to Sigueiro - 15 kms

We had an early breakfast and started walking early this morning.  It was a cool morning and I wore my sweater until the sun warmed the day.  Mostly flat easy walk today but nowhere to stop until we almost reached our destination.   As we walked there were other pilgrims on the trail with us.  We are seeing the same people as we walk.  Tomorrow is our last walking day.  We will walk into Santiago.  

Sept 12 Walking Day 6

 Bruma to O Outeiro approximately 10 km

Luckily it was a shorter walk today because it was foggy in the morning and we started out on a busy road.  Nice that we could wait until the fog lifted a bit before we set out. We had coffee and toast in the little bar where we stayed then set off at a gentle pace for our destination.  It was a nice flat walk and the temperature was cool to start.  We stopped along the way for a Coke and ran into some other pilgrims we had met yesterday.  Some from Germany, Turkey and Spain.  As we walk there are many other pilgrims on the road to Santiago.  Tonight we are staying in a Casa Rural.  It is a quaint building outside our next town.  They have a lovely restaurant where we had lunch.  After lunch we enjoyed a little rest time.   

Sept 11 Walking Day 5

 Bentanzos to Bruma - 24 km 

Leaving Bentanzos we have a steep up and then down again then a slow steady climb to the highest point of our walk.  The temperature is nice for walking but sweat still drips off as we negotiate the uphill sections.  I use to like the downhill parts but now I know they will be quickly followed by and uphill trek.  Today we started early since we had lots of kms to walk.  We stopped for a morning break, lunch and an afternoon beer before we arrived at our destination at 5:30 pm.  The weather was calling for rain around 5 pm so after our beer we put it in high gear so we would arrive before the rain.  For supper I ordered paella.   It was very good.

Sept 10 Walking Day 4

 We left Miño early this morning and headed for Betanzos.  It was a 10 km walk always made to feel a bit longer with the constant up out of a town and down into the next town.  The elevation today was not too bad and the weather was not so hot with a nice breeze.  We enjoyed the scenery along the way and met a nice gentleman at the mid point and highest point of our walk.   He said “Don’t worry it is all downhill from here.”  He had set up a booth and each day provides a drink and fruit to people on the camino.  Later in the day we met a white horse on the road.  It began to follow us for a short time and then decided to turn back.  You never know what is around the next corner on the camino.  We arrived in Betanzos early enough to enjoy a nice lunch before settling into our hostal.  We explored the town and then went to mass.  A great day all in all.