Camino de Santiago Saturday 16 September to Saturday 23 September 2017

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 9^th 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.