DAY 1
We were taken for a warm up walk
through a small village called Castrillo de los Polvazares. We were collected and then driven further to
a village called Foncebadon where were had a coffee, taught what is acceptable
when using their toilets they do not charge for this but the expectation is to
buy a coffee I just did a donation because too much coffee I could not do. We learned how to use our poles, we were
given one each I have to say my pole enabled me to do this journey. We then walked to the Iron Cross where
everyone leaves a stone with a hope, a thank you whatever one wishes, mine was
for all the people I love and for the ones I do not know whose lives are a
struggle. We then continued on this
being our most difficult day under foot. On this part of the Camino we crossed
the highest point in the entire Camino at 1,517 metres above sea level (200 metres
higher than Ben Nevis, the UKs highest
mountain). We reached El Acebo where we had lunch. That was 11ks. Huge lunch and lots of wine
(we are in Spain
after all). I did not walk that
afternoon went with young Paul assisted with the luggage and awaited Gordy and
Ash to walk the afternoon. The afternoon
had very steep descents and very challenging under foot. We ended up in
Molinasea. We went into the village had
a light dinner and made ready for the next day.
DAY 2
Breakfast in the hotel, 9.00am
briefing, we then did a 40 min drive to La Faba. We had a coffee stop and began
our walk, it was lovely weather for walking a little damp but good. The first five kms was what Paul the elder
called steepish undulations, very funny, it was all up hill 600metres, it was a
steady climb, steep in places, but we were rewarded by spectacular views across
verdant valleys. We crossed the border into Galicia which is very important for
we Pilgrims. Ash and I were the resident
photographers and took probably every person who was on their own, we had to
wait for a break in the stream of people to get away, I am hoping Ash has a pic
of us, funny but we met lots of lovely people and this is what it is all
about. We continued on and came to a
village called O’Cebreiro where there is a fine 9th C Church, this
was very lovely indeed, the Pauls met us there and sent us on our way towards
our lunch date at a village called Hospital (the proper name is Hospital de la Condensa). This walk was particularly stunning 11ks then
lunch anor huge lunch wine etc loo stop.
We were driven to a spot where we started the afternoon walk of 5ks
downhill through a combination of chestnut woods, small fields, meadows all
along a beautiful country lane. We
arrived in Triacastela, Ash and I the last in of course, taking photos of lots
of lone Pilgrims. We sat at a gorgeous
village bar and had a well deserved drink.
We then had a short drive to our overnight stopover at Sarria. We had a bit of a rest and went out, not far
for a light bite to eat, We ran into our couple from Derbyshire had drinks and
something to eat with them and then headed back to the hotel. Gorgeous day in every way.
DAY 3
Breakfast in the hotel, 9.00am
briefing, this was a 16/17 kms walk, Sam Ash and I took the softer option today
and started at a village called Barbadelo which was a 12ks walk to our lunch
date at Ferrerios, This was also a beautiful walk, we were indeed fortunate
throughout the week blessed with perfect walking conditions, not hot just
ideal. Beautiful country lanes green
fields beautiful livestock. We all met
up for our huge lunch and many wines in a bar in their upstairs private room. The 2 Pauls have excelled again in all of
their choices of venue lunch etc. After
lunch the long walkers did 9ks and Sam Ash and I did 6ks. This was also a beautiful walk ending up
crossing a very long bridge over the reservoir before climbing to the village of Portomarin. We having taken the soft option arrived at
the bar first. The two Pauls arriving not long after, we had a few beers and
awaited the rest of our gang. As always
Janet and Lynn arrived next and then everyone else, after a relax we are taken
to our accommodation which was a lovely converted farmhouse deep in the woods
called Casa Roan in Lodoso. The luggage
to our rooms very lovely house a little rest and then the most beautiful dinner
cooked for us by the chef for the house.
We had yet another delightful evening with lots of laughter etc. I do think it is the laughter really,
everyone was beginning to look much less tired, it is the endorphins. We finally get to bed being prepared for
another day.
DAY 4
We start the day with breakfast
at the farmhouse then our briefing from Paul the elder, we drive to the start
of our walk. The extreme walkers did
16ks that day and Sam Ash and I did about 11ks.
This was indeed a beautiful walk too, through woods lanes perfect walking
weather and we arrived first, of course we did we had taken the shorter option,
at Casa de los Somoza. We had quite a few
drinks in the sunshine whilst awaiting the rest of our gang arriving in dribs
and drabs, we then are taken to our restaurant for lunch this was Melide. This
was a very lovely lunch I think everyone loved today. Our afternoon walk took us to Castaneda where
we were all collected and taken to our accommodation which was jawdroppingly beautiful. It was an old mansion house, Pazo de Sedor,
in Sedor on many many acres with a pool and the views from our rooms were just
to die for, again we all would have liked to stay longer. We get a few little minutes to relax get
ready for dinner, this was in a long room and again prepared for us by the
house chef, absolutely delicious, much alcohol, I am sure this made us numb
enough to keep walking. We were very
noisy that evening, all knew one another a little better such delightful
company. Much fun was had before we
retired to prepare for another day.
DAY 5
Breakfast and our briefing by
Paul the elder and then into our vehicles and dropped at our spots to start. This was 17ks Sam Ash and I walked 12ks. We started in a town called Arzua. It was going to be quite wet that day young
Paul gave me a poncho which I was very grateful for, Ash and Sam said I looked
like a true Pilgrim, it really started to pour so we sheltered under someone’s
garage, when it improved we set off, I found this the most difficult day, beautiful
scenery etc by the time we arrived at lunch my old broken foot injury was
giving me grief, a couple of café con leches with Baileys dulled it all. We have another beautiful lunch etc lots of
laughter and then the afternoon walk I actually went to our accommodation in
the vehicle. This was yet another converted farmhouse delightful indeed. Sam and Ash were troupers and walked the
afternoon as well. There was no dinner
that evening we had all been to the supermarket to buy some goodies to share,
Sam and Ash had bought Pringles and chocolate.
We just all had a casual evening together with our goodies in the
gathering room of the farmhouse. We get
to bed to be prepared for our last day which is a short walk into Santiago about 7ks.
DAY 6
Breakfast pack the vehicles get
dropped off, we need to step on it today as the Pilgrims’ Mass at the Cathedral
is 12.00. We all make it in time, the
Cathedral being stunning Sam and Ash did not stay for Mass but I did as did
everyone else it was very special indeed.
We did not all sit together but caught up with one another at some point
in the Cathedral or outside very special indeed.
There really are no words to
explain doing this walk or the connection to the people you have only met a
week prior, I do think everyone feels the same.
We sit in a bar with a few of our
friends we have caught up with go to a bar enjoy time together and then go and
find our accommodation. We are not
prepared for such a gorgeous place, it is a working Monastery as well as a
hotel. This is called Monumento San Francisco.
Santiago
is a beautiful place well worth a much longer stay. We all did our own thing in the afternoon before
an amazing Farewell Dinner in the most beautiful hall of the Monastery. The 2 Pauls attended this dinner as
well. There would not have been one of
us who did not feel this was quite an amazing week in our lives, one crosses
paths with whom one is meant to cross paths I always believe I do not know
why. We all enjoyed the company of each
other immensely. I think this would be a
life changing experience for us all. We
said our goodbyes Friday evening. Some
of us caught up at breakfast next morning, four of our group were going to
Finisterre for the day as they were staying on, this is where one traditionally
throws a piece of their clothing into the sea after having walked the
Camino.
We said our goodbyes again young
Paul drove Sam Ash and I to the station and a couple to the airport. We were heading to Seville then onto Benalmadena on the
Sunday.
I do not think any of us had any
idea or any expectation of what this would be but for me it was quite amazing,
Sam Ash and I had such an unbelievable experience enjoyed one anothers company
laughed a lot and said we would never forget it. We also met some extraordinary people who
were absolutely delightful. An
experience not to be missed.
