C de F - Day 4

 Day No. 4 :  Laxe to Praia de Ajou

Today: 18 kms

ToDate:  81 kms : 43%

ToGo: 106 kms

As we started today's walk clouds were scudding across the sky:

There was a hint of Autumn in the air.

What did A A Milne say ...

"I can face the winter with calm. Crisp and sparkling days, long pleasant evenings, cheery fires. 

Good work shall be done this winter. Life shall be lived well. 

The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here's to October."

We pressed on, undaunted !

By the Faro de Laxe is a statue The Espera - The Waiting.

A woman and her child looking out to sea, hoping for the return of her husband ...

At the top of Peton do Castro the views are truly stunning:

As we walked on, Praia de Soesto came into view:

Time for Elevenses !!

We passed several more wonderful, completely empty beaches.

Praia de Traba 

And then crossed a Boulder Field: 

Shapes for every imagination !!

All too soon we reached Arou, the end of today's walk

The view from the bar :

We are staying overnight for 2 days in Camariñas.

View from the bar by our hotel:

The Camino dos Faros does not disappoint !!

C de F : Day 3

Day No.3 :  Ponteceso to Laxe

Today: 15 kms

ToDate:  63 kms : 34%

ToGo: 124 kms

Out on  the far western of Continental Europe it is still dark at 8 in the morning:

But, having eaten breakfast & checked out, by just after 08.30 we were good to go.

But in Ponteceso the supermarket - for food for our picnic - only opens at 09.00.

The Wise Pilgrim knows to keep up with his domestic duties:

 Having sorted the picnic, we were soon on our way.

The usual beaches and views:

Down on the estuary some were hunting for their own picnic:

This was a much easier & shorter walk than yesterday.

By not too long after 14.00 we had reached our hotel, right on Praia de Laxe:

After a well-deserved Estrella Galicia, there was time to walk along the beach to the church of Santa Maria da Atalaia.

When Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 ... Pilgrims had already been visiting for close to two hundred years !!

A good day !!

Pilgrim Ric

PS

On Pilgrimage when problems arise, every town needs a Bazar Laxe Hong FA.

Solutions for Problems you didn't even know you had !!

C de F : Day 2

 Day No.2 : Praia de Ninons to Ponteceso

Today: 16 miles

Todate:  30 miles - 24%

ToGo: 92 miles

Boots on the Beach: 09.30

Praia de Ninons

We were soon at Porta de Santa Marina.

A modern fishing port. 

But no sign of any fishing boats...

In these parts everyone knows Rudyard Kipling's advice:

IF you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet,

Don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street.

Them that ask no questions isn't told a lie.

Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen go by.

But we did see an Lone Angler:

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 4:29

Of course, there were beaches & lighthouses:

Praia da Bardo

Exactly like in the Guidebook !!

Faro du Roncundo

Lunch was in Corme.

Great views from the restaurant:

Then it was on for the final 6 miles back to Ponteseco.

At 19.45 hours, never has a bridge been more welcome !

A long day out on the Camino dos Faros, but a rewarding one !!

Pilgrim Piper

PS

The Wise Pilgrim always keeps up to date with his Washing 😉

 

C d F : Day 1

 Hola

Day No.1 : Malpica to Praia de Ninons

Today: 22 kms

Todate: 22 kms - 11%

ToGo: 174 kms

A tremendous  first day !

We started at Malpica port

And then it was out by the Atlantic Coast 

We soon reached the Ermita de Saint Adrian 

Saint Adrian passed this way in the 5th century.

His task was to get rid of a plague of snakes.

Based on today's evidence ... he was successful !!

The Camino de Faros is the route of Lighthouses:

The Island of Sigursas

Faro de Punta Nariga

Stunning beaches

And great stops for Lunch 

I hope the Blog gives you a feel of a Top Walk !!

Ric 

PS

The Ol' Pilgrim by the Lavandero de Bio looked strangely familiar ...

 

The Secret to getting ahead ...

 Hola !!

Boots on the Drive at Merryfield : 03.15 hours !!

A very straightforward journey - via the 06.30 hours Gatwick flight - to A Coruna.

The Bromley Six met up near the harbour with the Boy from t' North, aka Roger.

A delightful stroll round the bay:

Time to walk to the Tower of Hercules, probably first built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago.

Though - some say - in the 11th century King Breogan, the Founding Father of the Galicia Celtic nation, built the tower so that from the top you could see Ireland ...

Perhaps he did 😉

A wander through the town found an Old Friend ...

The Wise Pilgrim always knows where to find a Lavanderia !!

A spot of well-deserved lunch:

Then it was time for the taxi journey to Ponseco, where we will be staying for the next three nights.

Tomorrow is Day 1 of the Camino dos Faros ...

#Can'tWait

Pilgrim Piper 

The scariest moment ...

 The scariest moment is always just before you start 

To be honest...

I'm never going to be Christopher Columbus: Setting off to discover America

Oh Ok; he was really looking for India !!

Nor Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing: Climbing  Everest

And certainly not Neil Armstrong: First Man

But whenever I am about to head off on Pilgrimage, there's always a feeling of anxiety.

Mixed with a spirit of adventure.

                                   One small step ... 

You may remember that this time it is the Camino dos Faros.

As First Man might have said: One Step at a time

The walk is about 120 miles / 195 kilometres over 8 days. Around 15 miles / 25 kilometres a day.

Did I mention the Ups & Downs ?

About 6,500 metres / 21,000 feet. Around 800 metres  / 2,500 feet a day.

I'm delighted that Jackie & Jeff, Jan & Mark, the Boy from t’ North – Roger & novitiate David will be joining me.

---

Preparations are pretty much done & dusted ...

The Essentials: the Flask, the Cicerone Guidebook, the Pilgrim's Pebble as a Memory of Home...

... and  - of course - the Wise Pilgrim always has an Ironed Shirt !!

--- 

So it's an Early to Bed for a 03.15 hours departure from Merryfield to catch the 06.30 hours flight from Gatwick to A Coruna.

First day of walking is Monday 3rd: Malpica to Praia de Ninons.

14 miles / 22 kilometres

2,400 feet / 750 metres of ascent

Beach at the End !!

(The Swimming Trunks are packed)

Look out for the daily Blogs ...

So ...

Until we meet again,

May God hold you

Safe in the palm of His hand.

See you soon!!

Adiós, Ricardo 

Sé un Faro Brillante delante de mí

May we enjoy Time Together: 

beside the wide sea,

beneath the far stars,

in the sun’s warm rays,

in the gentle rain.

 

And may God

Bless our Walking on the Good Earth. 

Adapted from a poem by Joy Mead

With thanks to Pilgrim Chris Goddard

 Hola Peregrinos !

The Pilgrims are beginning to gather …

We "set sail" on Sunday 2^nd October.

Boots on the Ground: Monday 3^rd October at 08.30 hours.

After a three year gap – “Events, dear boy, Events” – we are back Out Rambling in Europe.

Jackie & Jeff, Jan & Mark, the Boy from t’ North – Roger & novitiate David will be joining me.

This time it is the Camino dos Faros, out on the north-west coast of Spain – the infamous Costa da Morte !

One step at a time ... 

We start at Malpica and end late on the afternoon of Tuesday 11 October at Finisterre, the most Westerly point of Continental Europe.

Yes; I know. 

The Finisterre where I once said that - having strolled 550 miles across Spain  -

 I will Never Return !!!

For some days are never to be forgotten !!

The basic plan – who knew there even was a plan ??!! -  is to walk about 120 miles / 195 kilometres over 8 days. Around 15 miles / 25 kilometres a day.

Did I mention the Ups & Downs ?

About 6,500 metres / 21,000 feet. Around 800 metres  / 2,500 feet a day.

Like many coastal paths, the Camino dos Faros combines numerous ascents and descents with a route that never takes the straightest line between two points.

Are we nearly there yet ... ...

Of the eight days, six are spent along exposed stretches of coast whilst two head inland to navigate around relatively tranquil river estuaries. 

The six days along the coast are spent climbing headlands and walking along dramatic cliff edges. 

This is a landscape where large granite tors remind British walkers of the South West Coastal Path in Devon and Cornwall.

The views are constantly changing, but the noise from the sea and the wind is ever present. 

The Costa da Morte gets its name because there have been so many shipwrecks along its treacherous rocky shoreline.

(They do say) On sunny, early Autumnal days - if you look out to sea from high up on the cliffs - you can sometimes see The Black Pig.

Captain Pugwash himself.

Cabin Boy Tom.

And the Seaman … whose name I have wisely forgotten !!

As the Costa da Morte’s name suggests, there are Lighthouses aplenty.

Sé un Faro Brillante delante de mí

Be a Shining Beacon before me, O God

   

a guiding star above me.

Be a smooth path below me,

a kindly shepherd behind me

today, tonight, and for ever. 

The Prayer of St Columba of Iona

A particular feature of this Camino is the Beaches which promise to be AMAZING !

Look out for the photos of Ricardo in the Waves…

Of course, there will be all the Regular Features of Pilgrimage.

Naturally - as we always do on Pilgrimage - back in the UK we will have The Reverend Susan on Statistics !!

The Daily Blog will be up & running.

Don’t worry: we Never let the Facts get in the way of What Really Happened !!!

The Food. The Galician region of Spain has a reputation for wonderful seafood.

The well-deserved Estrella Galicia (or two) at the end of the day.

The Café Bar Alborada, Corcubión

There will be  - how could it even possibly be otherwise - one of the famous Rest Days.

This time it will be in Muxia.

 

The Lavanderia has already been identified …

  

Lavanderia Autoservicio Muxia 

Rua Manuel Murguia, 20, 15125 Muxia 

# Always Remember #: 

No Wise Pilgrim ever travelled without  

an Ironed Shirt 

If we have enough breath, the Big Issues will be Discussed & Resolved …

Brexit

Globalisation

Global Warming

The Economics of Deer Farming in New Zealand

  

What is Happiness ?

Well  … Discussed anyway !!!

 How could I ever forget to tell you ... ...

 

Spain: “Best” ice creams in the World !!!

So,

Until we meet again,

May God hold you

Safe in the palm of His hand.

See you soon!!

Adiós, Ricardo 

 

PS

After dinner Captain Pugwash & the crew of The Black Pig swigged a tot (or two) of rum and sang The Pirates Song.

I've long liked the last verse:

This crew you can join

We'll take one and all

For Pirates are Pirates

Just  ... Answer the call

 As we say about Pilgrimage ...

As always, All welcome !!