I found the UNESCO designated city of Santiago de Compostela fascinating. The well preserved old city is bigger than I imagined it would be. The new city is attractive in that it has not been homogenized like many modern cities. If you are looking for a city break. Look no further is my recommendation.
We spent two days mooching about the city. There is a tangible happy atmosphere. No doubt the pilgrims add positively to the atmosphere. They are all eurphoric after completing their personal challenges.
I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was getting a little panicky because of the difficulty booking accommodation in Santiago. Well, as it turned out, I appear to have stumbled across a little gem. It was a well equipped apartment just an 8 minute walk from the Cathedral.
To my total surprise, Finn, not only agreed to join us for the 4 day hike to Finisterre, he was positively keen on the idea.
I had been a little concerned about navigating our way to Finisterre. I didn’t think there would be waymarkers, there are and I was able to download an app. that uses GPS. So, even I can’t go wrong.
We set out relatively late at 7.30am this morning. The weather was perfect for hiking and we completed the 20 km walk to Negreira by 1pm. In the conditions, Sheila and I could have walked further but as it was Finn’s first day, we didn’t want to put him off this hiking business.
We stopped for refreshments in a village called Maceira. You can imagine my surprise when I was served by an Englishman who had lived in Spain for 22 years. Apparently, he moved there as a boy along with his parents who were both school teachers.
I am now salivating and looking forward to a very reasonably priced ‘menu del peregrino’ (pilgrims menu).
Wandering Boomers 