16 - 20 June : Barcelona

What a great way to wrap up our last days in Spain- 4 nights in Barcelona. Tonight is our last night before going our separate ways around the world tomorrow. 

What a treat this last stage of the trip has been. Too many wonderful things to mention but the standouts have been the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, wandering the large, paved streets, the gelato, champagne cocktails and jazz - and of course the amazing shopping! Oh and Gaudi, Gaudi, Gaudi plus wandering through La Ribera and the Gothic areas, amazing local artists and creativity on show. Did I mention the shoes? We're in shopping heaven:) Jude bought 7 pairs - doing her bit for the local leather industry.

This is the end of this part of the trip - and the blog . Would highly recommend this journey to everyone!

15 June - last day Santiago de Compostela

We have fully traversed the Camino Norte! Today we did a 'roadie' and completed the Camino Fisterra - a three or four day walk but for us a day trip, 100km. Man it was nice to be driven up those hills and along the long road stetches, rather than walk!

Fisterra - once thought to be the end of the world - marks the completion of the caminos. We have covered just under 1000km of northern Spain.

First stop was Puente Macera where pilgrims used to have to pay a tax to cross through the town or walk 40km to bypass it. We found out Galicia produces 60% of Spain's milk as well as producing electricity (wind and hydro) and exports some of this to France.

Next stop was Muxia, the point where Martin Sheen finished the Camino in the movie 'The Way'. We stood on the rocks where he 'scattered  his sons ashes'. Here we found the church was gutted in a fire on Christmas Day and partially destroyed in a rogue storm on January 6. The locals believe this is happened as  the community had or has done something really bad. Only last week they started to rebuild the church. The storm apparently had 12m plus waves and moved a huge boulder several metres.

Fisterra was a tranquil (but breezy) coastal town. It is the Cape  (3km out of town) that marks the camino end. Here pilgrims leave something behind (ignoring signs asking not to!).  We bumped into two French pilgrims we had not seen for 2 weeks here! From here it was off to Cee for lunch - amazing fish dishesj, yummie vino and Spanish 'rocket fuel' liqueurs! Siesta in the bus back to our hotel.

Barcelona here we come! Having had trouble spending €15 a day on the Camino we are looking forward to the shops and spending our 'savings'. This the moment our partners have been waiting for (te he he) ... they are lucky it is only for four days!

Taxi is here ...gtg

14 June Santiago Recovery day

Waking up to 31 degrees and a normal day.....in Santiago!

What has the city got within walking distance for us today?

After the usual free wifi - viber/ Skype calls home and a magnificent breakfast coffee and crossiants , ham and cheese we set off to explore. 

First stop was to get our certificates , even though spelt out they still put the Spanish version of our names . 

Yip we still look the same!

Second stop the local street markets with gypsies on the side being moved on by armed police and the usual education of what NZ doesn't do with food. Black pudding everywhere!

Followed by a room up grade , again the best room in the house with a balcony.

Then like true pilgrims back to the square by the cathedral to reminence and watch today's adventures arrive while we drink supping on or pitcher of Sangria  for 11€.

Next , Santiago put on a all day concert 100 metres from our room.

Packed with food stalls and others, fairly young families , very cool people not getting trashed as they would with Toast Martinborough!

On our journey a few things have been lost in translation.

We have been told we speak very good New Zealand!(English)

When at the tourism information Angela and I were  miming trying to find the saint to hug here.We were demonstrating hugging in the end the guy said" I just sell train tickets" then promptly put his head below his computer laughing.

Or when Angela asked what flavour the cheesecake was ,and was told cheese.

Angela has been called An-ge- la all the time here.

 

  What have I learnt besides realising what I can and can't live without.

Yes did survive with no chocolate for 26 days!  (Didn't think that possible)

Appreciation of peacefulness everyday.

To turn of the little voice in your head.

Not to make my life so busy I can't take the time for an absolutely brilliant adventure and to share it !

13 June - Santiago de Compostela

Got up at the crack of dawn to walk the final 20 kms to Santiago. It was still dark but luckily Angela had her 250 watt headlamp with rear reflector - woke up a few pilgrims on the way :) They saw the light!! 

Had a cool and fast walk to Santiago - got there as the temperature hit the 30s and went to mass . Actually went to mass twice - it was a great experience and very much geared to the pilgrims from all over the world who have arrived. 

Also fascinating was the Botafumeiro which is a famous thurible found in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Incense is burned in this swinging metal container, or "incensory". The name "Botafumeiro" means "smoke expeller" in Galician. The container swung high over us - we think to make the pilgrims smell nicer :) 

Spent the rest of the dey celebrating - drinking sangria in the plaza outside the cathedral (because it was very hot and they had no French champagne), and catching up with other pilgrims - some of whom we haven't seen for some weeks. 

The majority of peregrinos who have made it here are in a good state physically although there are some who can barely walk and a lot hobbling. But everyone is in great spirits and there's a sense of elation - despite Spain going down in the World Cup last night!