Sigueiro to Santiago

Saturday 18th October,

it is threatening rain but I stay mainly dry on todays walk, only 20kms, with a bit of a climb for the first 4kms, then start to approach the outskirts of Santiago. Luckily I am not limping as much as yesterday as the final  6kms is on hard surfaces through a large industrial area, before reaching suburbia and then heading into the old city. I arrive at 1230 in time to catch the swinging of the botafumiero once again, then it is off to my favourite restaurant for lunch before queueing for my compostela and a quick photo with the portuguese group that have been part of this camino. I am glad the walking is over for this trip. I will rest up here for a couple of days then head down to Madrid.

Portugese peregrinos

 

Bruma to Sigueiro

Friday 17th October,

 it is not raining but the clothes are still damp, head out at 0830 on minor roads then forest tracks where they are harvesting trees and more muddy tracks. Walking in wet boots is making my feet ache, the wind has picked up, trees are being blown over in the forest onto the track. I crawl into Segueiro my aching feet, the street furniture is being blown around, I find a cafe for lunch then get a room in the hostal just as the rain starts to pelt down, good timing, but very tired. My feet have had enough of walking in wet boots, these are only fit for the dust bin when I finish.

Betanzos to Hospital de Bruma

Thursday 16th October.

 It was raining as I departed in the morning in the half light. It kept on raining throughout the steep ascent  out of Betanzos and it rained and rained. You can tell when it is afternoon as the rain intensifies. I had a break at Bar Julia for lunch, then ventured into the rain finally arriving at the restored peregrino hospital in the pouring rain, absolutely soaked through. Cook pasta for dinner and try to dry some clothes. The portugues peregrinos using gps say the day was 32kms not 28kms as in my guide book. It rained all night.

 

The  albergue at Hospital de Bruma

 

Pontedeume to Betanzos

Wednesday 15th October,
a late start to the day heading out at 0930 a steady climb into the mountains leaving the coastal estuaries behind and walking through mainly eucalypt forest with plenty of chestnut trees, chestnuts covering the paths. Light rain to start with which intensified into the afternoon, luckily a short walk of 20kms, a very wet peregrino coming into Betanzos. A small town once the capital of a province of the kingdom of Galicia, like a lot of small towns plenty of bars but few restaurants. Tomorrows walk a long one to the highest point on this camino, and no facilities near the albergue at Hospital de Bruma, ie bring all your food from Betanzos, extra weight for the 30kms, goody goody.


Chestnuts litter the path



Santiago to Ferrol to Pontedeume

Tuesday 14th October,
the sun is shining and the boots are dry for a change, take the 0915 bus to Ferrol arrive at the bus station which has no map of the town or information desk, of course that is down in the centre of town. Obtain some directions from the helpful girl at the cafe and finally arrive. Armed with lots of info l head out of town, past the naval yards the docks etc.


Ferrol dockyards

I decide to push for Pontedeume 30kms away most of which was on hard surfaces. The albergue was closed they expect everyone is carrying a mobile phone and you had to ring the hospitalero, obviously no one else was here yet. It was 1730 so I opted for a nice room in a hostal and more chance of plenty of hot water in the shower, must be going soft. Somewhere for dinner is the next question then an early night.


Pontedeume