Had expected to be finished with Porto, but here we sit in our 5th habitation in Porto since we first ventured this way some weeks ago on our way south to Coimbra. We are up on the roof again, a common theme this trip. Nice to have a place warm enough to dry our laundry again:)
While I had tried to reassure Neil and Sarah that we would have sun in Santiago, Neil's concern and lack of trust jinxed us and sure enough it rained. So out came the ponchos! 
Neil and I have apply named them...Neil's is Julius, but Julio for short will work!
Finally we had our first sighting of the cathedral.
And then we were in.
As were a few of the amigos we'd met along the way. 
Without too much hesitation (after picking up Composellas) we headed up to a favourite restaurant to celebrate Sarah's upcoming 50th birthday! 
Great soup Ken...you'll know this one.
We all checked into our hotel then Annemarie and I walked another 6 kms finding our way to various places to complete departing chores. Not much time to do so, but at least the sun had come out...as I guaranteed!:)
Yesterday we were up early and on our way! 
Most of the walk in was pretty nice, starting with the sunrise.
Lots of other peregrinos heading towards Santiago. This fellow told me his boots didn't work and that he was going to burn them at Fisterre. I wondered to myself why he didn't burn them earlier if they were giving him blisters. A fair question, which I kept to myself.
We then reconvened at...
To celebrate our arrival. Such a big lunch that we just enjoyed a few tapas.
A fun place to celebrate. Busy and lots of energy, not to mention some killer tapas!
Then it was off to wander the town and find dessert.
Before heading homeward to get a little sleep.
We all gathered this morning for a nice breakfast and to delve into the wifi for a while. Then we packed our gear and Neil and Sarah graciously walked us down to the bus station. We said our sad farewells. Always tough to do because we enjoyed our time together and one never knows when we will reconnect. There was talk of canoeing in Canada and canyoning in Australia, so maybe an opportunity down the road? We slept much of the way south to Porto...it felt great! Funny how tired you feel when you've walked in and suddenly stop. Your body just sort of takes a time out. The bus was full of peregrinos, mostly Germans heading for home.
So where to from here? Good question. Tomorrow early afternoon we fly northwards to Toulouse, France where we will transit directly to the train station and travel west to Agen. We will stop there to do a few chores and then we plan to find our way down to the GR65. You might recall we had to abandon our Le Puy walk last year after 500 kms due to a stress fracture in my lower left leg. Well, fast forward a year and it's all healed and feeling great. Annemarie's knee has recovered from its flare-up so we are going to France to complete our walk to St. Jean Pied de Port. There is just 10 stages left and we have just enough time to experience some or all of the remaining Chemin. Think of the scenery as we appraoch the Pyrennes! think of the food! There is an ok looking weather window, albeit cooler. No snow Ken...enjoy your early dump! You know you love it!
We considered wandering to a few other places, but agreed that we came here to walk. Besides, our clothes are a bit ragged, vaguely clean and not really suitable for wandering in some of the better cities in Europe. So really all that we can do is walk:) Then we will travel north on Oct 17th to meet our daughter Erin in Amsterdam and spend a few days with her in Leiden. Excited about that! We still need to book our flight, but our accommodations in Holland are all lined up. I even have an invite to Rotterdam for a day while Erin works, this after Annemarie goes home. So still some nice possibilities ahead, albeit colder up there!
We are already missing our amigos Neil and Sarah. Dinner will definitely be quieter tonight! Safe travels and we will think of you just a bit to the NE of us walking along together...in slightly colder temperatures!
Cheers!
Enjoy your walk to St. Jean Pied de Port! What a great idea to finish up that journey.
ReplyDeleteYes, snow. I forgot that you keep an eye on the weather. It's coming down horizontally outside the window and I'm about to walk to the university. Sad that it's come so early, but it had to arrive sooner or later.
You guys could always join me on the great flatlands walk next summer. . . .
Looking forward to your next post from the road. I'm assuming you fly to France from Porto?
Thanks for the shot of the caldo. Just can't make it the same way here. The beans are different, the sausage is different, the stock is different. . . . What about retiring to Galicia? Except for the rain it'd be perfect.
Bon chemin!
Ken
Hi Ken,
DeleteThinking seriously about the flatlands walk. It would be similar to the Meseta. I'll have a look at this when I return home, but I was just chatting about it on the bus down today. We still have no plans for next year, but will be giving this a thought as we walk. Yup, excited about the chance to finish the agar together. I carried some guilt when forced off it last year after Annemarie prepared so hard. Sorry there is no map to post....hmmm. Will give that some thought. I brought a very small item with me for you from Galicia to say thanks for all your support on the way. Light enough to carry home:)
Well, thanks in advance. I can pretty well promise that it won't be snowing during the flatlands walk. But it will definitely be like the meseta, without café con leché. . . .
DeleteHi Geoff and Annemarie: Sunny and warm in Victoria today and we are hoping the weather will remain this way as we head into the Thanksgiving weekend. Bryan was in good spirits this morning and planned to get outside and clean up the yard!! Three cheers for Bryan who is feeling pretty good now.
ReplyDeleteYou have had a great summer of walking - some of the terrain more difficult than others - but that goes with the adventure and you ended up in Santiago finishing in fine fashion with Neil and Sarah which is surely a plus! Happy birthday Sarah. We remember how disappointed you were a year ago Geoff when you had to abandon part of your walk and we are sure it will be very satisfying to be able to add the Le Puy stamp into your book!! Particularly glad to hear that your leg is not causing any problem and that Annemaries kneee is okay. Our hope for you and Annemarie as you go forward from here on the next leg of your walk is that each morning will dawn clear and bright - the days will be pleasantly sunny and your bed at night will be comfortable and soft - to say nothing of the good tapas and wine after you arrive at your destination each day. Keep your heads up and watch out for mean dogs and belligerent sheep. ..........
Our love
Mom and Dad
Hi Geoff and Annemarie
ReplyDeleteI managed to get some decent wifi in Lyon this morning so a quick hello. Glad to hear your travel arrangements to France are working out. We made the most of final day in Santiago, especially food wise!! We will find our way out to clung today.... I hope, and start walking south to Le Puy tomorrow. I can relate to your comment about tiredness, we slept time the dead last night, in fact, Sarah is still asleep. It was a long day in transit yesterday, not helped by a massive storm in Barcelona which sent the airport into chaos for most of the day. We were delayed an hour and a half in the terminal and then spent another 59 minutes waiting in the plane on the runway at Santiago. Such are the ups and downs of travel. Blogger is stil playing up for us so we'll see what unfolds. Thanks again for your company on the Portuguese. We hope bodies, particularly Annemarie's feel refreshed and healed for this next walk. Bon chemin, Neil and Sarah
'Clung' would be Cluny. Don't you love that spell correction thing!!!!
ReplyDelete