Vacation Rhymes with Recuperation!

September 16, 2017 Corcubion, Spain

Having made the tough decision of stopping my Camino, I had to decide what my next step would be for my trip.

There were several things that I was interested in doing: Porto, Portugal, Vila do Conde, Portugal, or Corrubedo, Spain.

 I’d been to all three of these places and really liked them.  The last one I was just there for a few hours in 2013 on wanted to return, but unfortunately I couldn’t find a place to stay.  

Another idea popped into my mind. What about the Galician coast? I’d been to Fisterra and to Muxia.  So I looked at the other beach towns and decided on Corcubion.  This is one of the towns in the Camino Fisterra.  It sounded like a great place to recuperate and to spend a vacation while at least being close to a Camino.

So yesterday I packed up, said my good byes to Chencho, who even drove me a block to the bus stop.  

Here are some last pictures of Vilanova.

So, a bus ride to Santiago de Compostela and about an hour and a half wait for my bus.  Of course I had to eat since I thought that I would get to Corcubion late.  Instead of walking into town (it’s not far, but I’m not walking very quickly), I ate at the bus station.

After just a little bit I found my lodging and then went exploring.  I was finally able to get my shoes on that morning.  I wanted to see how I’d do walking.  

Praia=Playa=Beach. I guess no more smoking at that beach!

These flowers are near to where I came across two women probably about my age climbing a bank and giggling.  It turns out that they were picking some grapes that were growing wild.  They gave me some and they were pretty good!

The pavement on the walkway along the water.

The tourist information building (formerly a jail) is near the Port.

The tiles on this bench in the main square are really pretty!

I really liked this doorway for some reason.

San Marco church.  I was told that it was built in the 13th Century.

I believe that this is Santiago because of the scallop shells.

Ok, now, after a whopping 3.5 miles it’s time to go to back to the Pension and get to bed. 

My bedroom and my view.

So this is the third revision of this blog.  For some reason I couldn’t upload it to FB and trashed it.  Hopefully this time it works!

Camino Fisterre – Day Two

June 9, 2015

Lombao to Vilaserio 23.8 km (14.79 miles)

I started out Sunday morning from Casa Riamonte in Lombao (Castelo), a great place to stay.  Everything seemed fine, it was a bit warmer than the day before, but I had sent my backpack on ahead, so I figured that I’d do ok.  Here’s a picture of Bruno again and the door to Casa Riamonte. 

  
I was walking through farmland to the hill across the valley and then up, up and up!

   
       

 Here’s what John Brierley shows in his book for Lombao to Negreira.

  

I finally got to Ponte Maceira on the other side.  Here’s the old bridge.

 

Here’s the new bridge. 

    I got to Negreira in pretty fair spirits, but got delayed for about an hour due to lunch problems and getting lost in the public market (a habit of mine). 

      

  

After that while I went uphill again, my situation went downhill.  For awhile I was walking through eucalyptus trees with a bit of shade, then it switched to pavement with no shade and very little breeze. Here’s the Brierly profile of this stage. 

  

Very tired at this point. Drinking tons of water and then I ran out!  Had to knock on someone’s door to ask for more. Here’s a view of where I’d been.

   

A light at the end of the tunnel. 

 Finally I got to the albergue!  It’s very nicely run.  After drinking a bunch of water and a short nap I ate dinner.
   
I couldn’t finish it though since I was so worn out.  I went to bed early that night.  With it being so hot, 88F, what should I do?

These were my choices, 1) do a short stage to St Martina 2) try to get to Olveiroa 3) get help, like a taxi or bus to move forward.

Camino Finisterre-Day One

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Santiago de Compostela to Lombao 11km (6.84 miles)

I was leaving my cushy hotel and room and my buddies. 

   With a bit of trepidation I set out this morning.  My self confidence had taken a bit of a beating due to the heat and blister problems.  

I started out with a typical Camino breakfast, toast, butter, jam, coffee with milk and orange juice. 

 I had to remind myself that I have walked through Spain before and just needed to listen to my body.  So I decided on just a small step.  

It was a wonderful step.  My first step into the unknown was the path from the main plaza by the Cathedral.  

   The weather was cool, but not cold. Lots of ups and downs to challenge me.  My first Camino marker. 

 A park, some paved road, lots of woodland paths with the wonderful eucalyptus smell would be my day.

   A last look at the spires of the Cathedral from across the valley. 

     

 A pretty big horreo!

 

 Soon I was thinking that it was time for a sit down, so I found the closest place.  Get something to eat and some water. I had actually done pretty well.  I wasn’t that far away from my goal.

Before I knew it I was in Lombao and just had to find the albergue.  
  

The albergue I’m staying in, Casa Riamonte, is very nice. Julian and Rosa, the owners made me feel right at home.  They helped make my arrangements for my backpack and lodging for tomorrow.

I went ahead and got my own room and have a wonderful view of the valley and hill that I’m going to cross tomorrow. 

 A little nap, washed the clothes which magically dried quickly out in the hot sun. Then dinner.  Oops, forgot to take a picture of the main course and dinner.  I did eat very well!  I guess that the wine made me forget.

  There are four women from Japan staying here, two men from Leipzig Germany and  a young woman from Roanoke Virginia.  All had done the Camino France’s recently. Here’s my buddy Bruno.  

Here is the sun setting from my window.   

I need to get to bed!  Tomorrow will be a longer day!  Good night!