Madrid - Palaces and Plazas
Posted by Richard on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 11:06 PM
Prior to our Camino, we spent a couple of days in Madrid. Peter found an excellent hotel,
Hotel NH Príncipe de Vergara, in the Salamanca district, well placed for the metro. And with the good value rail passes and Rachel in charge of route planning for the weekend, we managed to use all 10 of the central metro lines.
Madrid - Parks and Markets
Posted by Richard on Monday 12th August 2013 at 08:29 PM
We went to the Parque del Retiro twice - this really is the lungs of the city, and very well used by the locals as well as us tourists. The Sunday market in El Rastro was also an experience - so many people.
Ferrol
Posted by Richard on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 11:06 PM
The sleeper from Madrid to Ferrol took almost 11 hours, arriving at about 9:30 on the Monday morning. After checking into our hotel,
Hotel Carris Almirante, we had the whole day to explore Ferrol.
Camino Day 1: Ferrol to Pontedeume
Posted by Richard on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 11:07 PM
Camino Day 1: 19.2 miles. We'd completed the first mile of our Camino the previous day, but this was still a long day's walk. As the crow flies, Pontedeume is only about 6 miles from Ferrol, but we had to walk right around the Ria de Ferrol inlet. The weather wasn't too bad, and although some of the scenery was a bit industrial, it was pretty interesting.
Camino Day 2: Pontedeume to Betanzos
Posted by Richard on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 11:07 PM
Camino Day 2: 13.0 miles. After the previous evening's rain, we set off in glorious sunshine on a shorter stretch to Betanzos. We stopped briefly in Pontedeume to get our Credencials stamped at the police station. The weather kept us guessing, but on the whole a really nice day's walk.
Camino Day 3: Betanzos to San Paio de Buscás
Posted by Richard on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 11:08 PM
Camino Day 3: 22.3 miles. This was our longest and hardest day - with a couple of long climbs and a bit too much walking on the roadsides - and it hardly stopped raining! (Hence, not too many photos).
Camino Day 4: San Paio de Buscás to Marantes
Posted by Richard on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 11:08 PM
Camino Day 4: 16.1 miles. Another start in the rain, but fortunately the weather improved as the day progressed. A bit more pavement pounding at the start, but a lovely stretch through the forest towards Sigüeiro later. (Navigation was simple here - we walked in a dead-straight line for 4 miles).
Camino Day 5: Marantes to Santiago de Compostela
Posted by Richard on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 11:09 PM
Camino Day 5: 7.4 miles. The last stage of our Camino took less than 3 hours - a nice gentle finish through some pleasant countryside before hitting the outskirts of Santiago. Yes, it rained a bit, but how else are you going to get photos of a rainbow?
Santiago de Compostela
Posted by Richard on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 11:09 PM
Having checked into our hotel, the Hostal Dos Reis Católicos (
Hotel Parador de Santiago), we had plenty of time to explore Santiago. One of the reasons for setting off so early, was to arrive in time to attend the Pilgrim's midday mass in the cathedral.
