Last post - until my next Camino

I am content, happy! I have huge gratitude for so many things that worked together to get me to this state. Thank you all and the universe that conspired to get me to this place. A year ago I had a vague notion of what is a Camino. Today possibly a little more enlightened in this path of peace and beauty I am in awe of all of the people that do the many Caminos. They do them with the knowledge that things come together. You walk until you can't anymore - then somehow a Camino Angel comes and points you in the direction of the Albergue. Someone offers food and a smile and you realize that this is exactly where you are meant to be. The people related to me (who have no choice) and my friends camino family - you are the greatest! Until next time.

Cascais, Estoril - I could live here!

And so thought most of the kings of Portugal and Spain. Many self exiled rich individuals escaping the Second World War made their temporary home in Cascais. Big parties were held here during the war. Ian Fleming wrote Casino Royal here broadly based on many of the stories told by the spies that lived around this area. Rehabilitation of architecture, long sea promenade. Ran it this morning - lanes for bikes and to run.

Camino Arrows Coastal Portugal!

Family in Lisbon

Edwardo, Graca, Ana, Marta, Luis

Tobias

Lisboa - I have visited before but it has changed!

Lisboa rivals Rome, Paris in scenery, architecture, places to see, transport. It tops both in friendliness. Police are very visible but with so many foreigners not only do they have to speak multiple languages but they serve as smiling guides!

Caxarias and Fatima

To Caxarias - in the train, to Fatima in the bus, to Lisbon in the intercity bus (fast) Things happen at a definite pace but unhurried - calma seems to be the de facto standard of being. 

Intercity train

Caxarias station found seeds for grellos, Portuguese tomatoes and couves in a shop nearby. What you find with 1.5hr spare.

Autobus to Fatima

Fatima

O Porto what a beautiful city!

Walked the city from 08:00 until 17:00 and could have carried on - so much to see! Highlights were the tower of the Clergios, a bridge made by Eiffel. A Visit to a Port Wine cellar and tasting. The best was dinner of crab like I have never tasted before. So much meat on a crab done soooo very delicious. Thank you Jorge and Rosa once again for making my stay such a memorable time. I will be back or I will see Jorge in Mocambique if not South Africa. Whichever comes first!

Different types of Port

Bridge made by Eiffel

A tram as transport beats hop on hop off bus every time!

O Port one of the most interesting cities I have had the previlege of exploring!

Cathedral de Se - start of the Portuguese Camino - full Circle.

O Porto - raining and windy

Jorge, Rosa, Miguel - Rosa's mom and Miguel's cousins Tiago and Pedro. Took a drive to Le Cote Ingles - that is a supermarket. Had lunch of prawns, tuna and potatoes and always desert - so nice. Rosa and Jorge are excellent chefs!

Fisterre - good morning world

Jorge and Rosa fetching me from Fisterre around 12 so no need to catch the bus to Santiago! Slept in a great Albergue overlooking the ocean. I was so very sceptical of sleeping in a room with double bunks and lots of people both male and female. Yesterday on the bunk to my right 2 elderly Frenchmen, in front a Chinese couple, bellow a German lady older than me on the camino alone and to my left 2 girls of around 20. The consideration for others, no noise, no lights, no disturbances just normal sounds of people going to sleep or leaving. I have learned how little space one needs. I have learned to make as small a disturbance as possible to another's existence. In this way we create peace.

Sunset in Muxia

Sunrise in Fisterre

End of the Earth - am in Finisterre

So this is the end of the Camino. It is a lovely day but countryside is stark - walking was tough very big climbs and descents from Muxia to here no coffee for 30km!  No rest room ! but there was a donativo where people create a rest for pilgrims in front of their house. So got an apple and Marie biscuits and filled water bladder. So very grateful.

I am catching bus to Santiago tomorrow!

Happy Birthday to me wow what a memorable Birthday.

I am in Muxia safe and sound walking to Finisterre tomorrow, I have just got to Muxia crazy day! Left Santiago got to 7km out to where I was stopping for stamp - no Compostella lost it somewhere so walked back (ok so head is attached to body and passport in special place) 😅 all the way back to Santiago only to buy a new one. Didn't see it anywhere, asked the hotel reception on way out and she told me the Police have it I collected it from Police and sooooo I have a spare compostella for  my next camino, Anyway 14 km later walked to bus depot and no bus to Finisterre only Muxia so I will walk to Finisterre tomorrow! Following day I will catch the bus back to Santiago where Jorge will kindly pick me. Muxia is stunning. Having dinner alone Perigrino diner 3 courses plus wine 9euro

Camino Family

In Santiago YAY only to find we nearly missed mass as one of the camino family got stuck in a wash room - really  - the lock broke so owner had to bash the door down and we had to run to make mass at 12:00. The mass is beyond description very emotional. So many pilgrims.

Last dinner Tapas

Arriving at Santiago

I am at La Calabaza del Pelegrino in TEU 12km from Santiago

Today this Albergue closes as season is over for them - will eat typical Spanish soup for supper accompanied by lots of beer. The heat reached 40 today

Mata Mouro Santiago. Interesting how the Saint Tiago in Portuguese and St James in English changes from the Peregrino to Mata Mouro.

Early start today as 28km to do but made good time as ran some of the way

Albergue in Teo

O Cruceiro hotel in Caldas de Rei

First fountain had to wet my feet, and today I ran the 5km to first bar as walking was too sore! After a beer the world was a better place!

So 22km in to Caldas de Rei - very hot 27 degrees - 

Felhoses mini - not so nice as I remembered!

MyCamino Family!

Pontevedra Hostel

I am a real pilgrim walked with my wet washing pinned to back of backpack washed feet in fountains throughout day. Am staying in a hostel with 56 beds. So right out of my comfort zones, yet amazing experiences - going for sangria at a Pilgrim bar in a railway station.

Bon Camino!

Only 69km to go yay Santiago here we come

At Mos 19:30 everything full found beds in other place next door.

Kept beds for friends at 10 euros each, They were so grateful as next place is 15 km away scary thought after 33 km. lovely dinner and exhausted in bed!

The border between Portugal and Spain in the most weird bridge overhanging a river v cool and quite scary!

Happy Birthday Michael!

Hope you have an awesome day!