Stage 27: Ribadiso to Santiago de Compostela

Children don't try this at home.  The following single day walk was done by a not so smart professional.  The day started at 6:17am and ended at 7pm.  This included 42.2 km and 4 hot coco stops. (It was cold).

Started out a bit muddy but I lucked out and my wool socks kept my sandled feet dry for over half the day.  It started with a warm hazy rain, but most of the day was mild to heavy rain, that did not stop.  This tree below on the left has these flowers that create a real cool effect.

Very strait, dark and gloomy planted forest.

I really like these flowers.

A peaceful walk for most of the day.

These guys improvised using orange garbage bags to stay dry.  Doubt it worked well cause me with my gear got wet in all areas not covered.

Grape vines in full coverage now.

Checkout this wall.  They don't build them like this anymore.  We have seen a few spots along the way that have eroded but for the most part no issues. It's amazing how the old engineering holds up.

So part of today took me under a runway.  I've been close to planes taking off near LAX before but this is real close.  I saw one guy take off but I was still a ways away at that point.

Heading into a few towns.  Today over hot coco I met a guy who started off doing a coast to coast trail across the pyranees, Atlantic to Mediterranean.  But I guess a bit past st jean de port they hit snow that made the way impassible. So they decided to take a secondary French route that eventually joins the main camino into Santiago.  They stopped early today however because they had a soccer game to watch, I think it was Belgium playing.

This is the last hill before Santiago.  They have left it as natural trees common to the area versus the eucalyptus we have seen the last few days.  Another old fence too.

Welcome to Santiago.  One difficulty with the approach to Santiago is your destination is the cathedral.  But it's 4.5km from the hill top with .5 to get into town and 4km across town.  

I found my self excited at every turn for awhile to see of I could see the cathedral.  On a clear day your suppose to see it from afar.  Today not until I was on top of it.  Here is the city.

 This is a back door of the cathedral.  The front is all under construction with scaffolding.  So this was nicer.  Tomorrow I go find out how to get my Compostella and go to mass. 

 Today as I approached the plaza I ran in to two ladies from our first few days.  So Im excited to see how many people I recognize tomorrow.  This has been an awesome experience.  Both traveling with the family and doing it on my own have been great.  Two very diffrent experiences but equally rewarding.  Anyone who likes to walk I encourage you to look into European walking options.  There are many, and you can do as many days as you want.

Even after 27 days of walking I lay here typing the blog while my feet have the occasional throbbing pain that makes you jump.  It may be fun but if you don't take your time it can hurt.  You will learn to read what your body is telling you, if you choose to ignore it no complaining. ;). For me 20km has definitely gotten easier but 28km and buenos still make my feet throb.  I must say though the cold river yesterday were we soaked our feet cured that problem for yesterday anyway.