Saturday, June 21, 2014

Walk This "Way"! Day 9 to Santiago de Compostela

#Santiago in Galicia#Via de la Plata#Pineiro#TheSoutheastWay

Thursday morning we left a little later than normal because we had a shorter distance for our final walking day.

We walked from near Pineiro to Sanitago ... It was only just under seven kilometers.



The walk seemed to go quickly in the beginning (even with the ascent) until we reached the suburbs of Santiago and the walk into the city with another climb up the cobble stoned street... 


                   

I had a somber moment as we walked on the overpass on the railway tracks where the horrific accident happened last year. 

The fence was covered with flowers, stuffed animals, pieces of clothing and various other personal memories for the victims.



Finally the Cathedral was in sight but still so far away...


                         



Madame M. at the top of the last steep climb ... ( my photos don't show you how steep it was, but we could have used some oxygen as we walked up...)


Okay now which way ... we started to walk in the direction of the Cathedral and just to be sure Madame M. asked a local gentleman ... who kindly guided us.



As we entered the streets leading to the Square, more and more people appeared.




Finally we arrived ...


While waiting for our support team we purchased our souvenir clam shells and I watched in awe as the  many pilgrims arrived.


It was a long afternoon ... Lunch, a visit to the Catherdal and a long wait in line at the Pilgrims Office to obtain our final stamps and Certificates of Completion and Distance.







Check in at Hotel Pombal ... with surprising views from our windows.



All creatures great and small ... find their "Way" to Santiago.

People / pilgrims from every walk of life with their own personal reasons for completing the pilgrimage to Santiago arrived in the Cathedral square. 

This dutiful "best man's friend" accompanied his pilgrim friend on the Camino to Santiago!


For me it was an enlightening experience walking in the foot steps of so many pilgrims from the past centuries.

It was a time to reflect and rejoice all the wonderful things in my life and in the world!


Friday, June 20, 2014

Coming Soon ... Day Nine to Santiago

Tomorrow I hope to have the post about our last day on the "Way" finished and ready to publish.



Thursday, June 19, 2014

Every Step You Take ...

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Day eight on the Camino ... from Outeiro to near Pineiro, we are getting closer to Santiago with every step we take!


Some peace on the trail ... actually most days are peaceful on this "Way" ... It is not travelled as much as the other Pilgrim routes.


We started near the "Albergue" in Outeiro, we went to get our stamp but we were unable to get one here.
                    
       

Today's walk on the Camino we entered the eucalyptus tree lined paths which provided much needed shade on a hot day ...


  
We had company today ... 







We made a wrong turn ... in search of the Pico Sacro (you can see it in the picture above).
Mamade M. would have probably climbed to the top had we found the right route ...it was 500 meters up with a 60 degrees vertical climb...and then she would have had to come back down.

They say from here you get your first panoramic view of Santiago ... 


We ended up on the N525, finding a cafe for a cold drink ...


After our 1.5 kilometer detour we found our way again ...




Walking through vineyard lined lanes, small villages and the rural countryside.


Before I left Canada ... Señor Honey gave me an iPod for my "Changing of the Front Door" birthday and loaded it with some tunes with the idea that I would have music to listen to while walking.

Only twice during our walking days did we listen to some music ... the first time was on our hottest day and today ...

Madame M. loves to sing and knows many songs but says she can only sing the first lines of the lyrics ... she said for next time she will print out the music sheets with the lyrics.

The songs that motivated us today were ... "Walk of Life" by Dire Straits, "We will Rock You" by Queen and "Every Breath You Take" ...Sting /Police.



We turned the corner on the last stretch of today's Camino and received a warm welcome ...
 "Hello Ladies!"

              
              
               


After our return to Casa Roberto ... some down time to unwind and a soak in the tub we headed to the local bar in San Xulian to download my photos and write some posts...


For those of you (Arie & Shari) wanting to see my new hairstyle ... Please note this is au natural because I have no styling tools with me.


       There was no chance of losing track of time as the village Church bells would alarm you.               
             


Back at Casa Roberto ... which is not only a B & B but also a fine dining restaurant we enjoyed a light seafood meal followed by fresh strawberries and cream.

               


Tomorrow our final steps into Santiago ....