19th June

19th June
Santa Marina to Olveiroa

Feeling tired and weary this morning and grateful to only be walking 13k.  Doesn't sound much but when you're tired it's a very long way.  I think the climbing of the last few days has accumulated in our legs maybe.  Today was no exception to the last few days and we climbed quite a bit.  All of today was on a quiet country road and the scenery was a patchwork of fields broken only by a lake in the distance.  It was  a lovely sight.

We arrived at our accommodation tired but very happy when we saw where we are staying tonight and I'm so glad we've treated ourselves.  We've just eaten the most fabulous lunch washed down with a very nice Chupito and I think we'll need to walk extra fast tomorrow to work some of this off.  We understand siesta now!!!

18th June

18th June
Negreira to Santa Marina 20k

We had some lovely walking in a forest of Oak and Eucalyptus. It was shady, a perfect temperature and soft underfoot.  That didn't last long enough and then there was some road and then some rough dirt track with little shade.  It had become really hot by then so we particularly missed the shady forest.  There were only two bars to stop at for food one of which was off the Camino just a short way. We decided it was time for our well deserved morning coffee break.  Some kind farmer thought we were lost and directed us firmly back onto the Camino and watched us to make sure we didn't take any more wrong turns.  So with our morning break thwarted we pushed on to the next stop and boy did we enjoy that coffee when we finally  got it.

The scenery was much the same as yesterday although we got much closer to the wind turbines today.

Tomorrow is a short day and we're glad about that.

17th June

17th June
Santiago de Compostela to Negreira 23k

It was so nice to be just 'us' again after a week spent with others and while we really enjoyed their company we really enjoy the space of being on the journey with each other.  As we left Santiago this morning  waved off by our new Camigos we made sure we touched the stone in the square in front of the Cathedral  just one more time to make sure we return someday.

What a fabulous day.  It was warm, the sun was shining and we walked in short sleeves for the first time this trip.  The breeze was warm as well but not hot like the sun.  The way was very pretty along shaded paths through the forest with a couple of climbs one of which was long and testing.  We came across a very pretty village with a medieval bridge Ponte Maceira over the rio Tambre.

When we arrived in Negreira we did our usual chores before finding a supermarket to stock up on supplies for the next couple of days as the guide book says there's not much chance to do this before Finisterre.  So our backpacks just got a bit heavier again!

16th June

16th June Santiago de Compostela

Today we had a rest day.  The first day off from walking for 20 days.  We needed it and it was so good to be here in Santiago.  We took care of business today.  We found the laundromat, we went to the hairdresser which was such a luxury.  Oh....you can't imagine and that energized us to get organized for our final push.  About 125k give or take a bit.

The Camino just blows me away......this evening we decided to walk along a street we haven't used much before and we found and older German lady who we call 'Valter' we haven't found her for at least a month and there she was.  It was so nice to find her after all this time.  She is so inspirational.  She doesn't speak Spanish, she is not young and one tough cookie.  She is on a route I  wouldn't tackle alone.  She reminded me of a very special friend at home and tears flowed once more.....so it is sometimes!!!

15th June

15th June
Pedrouso to Santiago de Compostela

It seemed like a really long slog today.  Some of the way was pleasant pathways and some was on the road.  We climbed to Monte Gozo and saw the large sculpture before descending towards Santiago.  It seemed to take forever to reach the old part of the city but once there it was all very familiar.  The sound of the bagpipes not only gave me goosebumps but led us to the square in front of the Cathedral.  There is a shell in the middle of the square and I was told if you touch it it means you'll return here.  I did just that so I'm sure to come back.

It's a really good feeling to arrive in Santiago and not feel the journey is over.  After a well deserved rest day tomorrow we will start out again to Finisterre and then onto Muxia.  I'm not ready for this journey to end just yet.

14th June

Arzua to Pedrouzo 20k

Finally a pilgrims Mass! It was lovely to go to the church in Arzua for the pilgrims blessing.  There isn't any of that along the Northern route so it was really nice.  It was  wonderful and I thought about all the people we were there with last time in 2013.

We had a lovely dinner after Mass with 8 others.  We said goodbye to Karen from Germany who we've seen on and off for weeks and everyone was sad to see her go.

It was much warmer although still cool today as we walked along through the forest over familiar ground.  There are so many other people now we have joined up with the Francais route and I'm really happy.  Others from the Northern route don't like it being so busy but I'm happy to be back.

13th June

13th June
Sobrado do Monxes to Arzua 22k

It was really chilly this morning so we started out well rugged up.  We had some nice country lanes for a while but before too long we were back on the bitumen.  Four of us walked single file marking time lost in our own thoughts for ages.  

I was excited to be on my way to Arżua and to see how my memories of the place were.  It was strange arriving here as we arrived from a different direction this time so nothing was familiar.  We found our accommodation, got cleaned up and headed into town and that's where the memories flooded back.  I wanted to go to the bar where we sat with Pierre and Dave waiting for the laundry to open 18 months earlier and go to Mass where we went with our Camigos last time.  It's great to be back on the Francais Route.  It's comforting in a strange way.  I'm very excited about the next couple of days making our way back to Santiago on familiar ground.