Camino Day 21

Date: June 7th
Start: Santiago
Stop: Madrid
Distance: 0
Weather: Cool
Summary in one sentence: Last day in Santiago before night train to Madrid.

Spent the day visiting some sights like the bustling  public market and the Galician Cultural Museum with it triple spiral staircase.  Picked up a few souvenir and wandered the streets before collecting up bike and heading off to train station and the 1030 night train to Madrid.  Sleep was elusive but enjoyed the night chatting with fellow pelegrinos heading home.

Camino Day 20

Date: June 6th
Start: Muros
Stop:  Santiago
Distance: 0
Weather: Rainy and cold
Summary in one sentence: Time for a taxi ride.

Pouring rain a 60+ km ride back to SDC so I opted for a taxi lift which is not really cheated because I am go back to SDC.  Made a ton of sense.  Dropped at train station and pushed bike back to my casa 'Se Alquilan Apartamentos' near the Porto Camino.  Thrilled to pass an outdoors shop selling camino buffs which make great souvenirs and I have not seen since Santo Domingo.
Wandered around in the rain utilizing my repurposed umbrella.   Took in pilgrims mass again.  Visited the Peligrino museum and the church of San Francisco where I received a second compostela celebrating its 800 years of service to pilgrims.
Very lucky to bump into some new friends from a few days past and had an enjoyable dinner with Suzie from Ottawa and Deon from Netherlands.

Camino Day 19

Date: June 5th
Start: Finisterre
Stop: Muros
Distance: 57 km
Weather: Cool, windy and almost rain
Summary in one sentence: Nice ride up the coast which would have been nicer if weather cooperated a bit.

Very interesting ride aling the coast though several little pretty communities.   I did this as alternative to retracing my inland route.  Headwinds harassed me all the way which was a drag.  Booked into small hotel in seaside town of Muros.  Started to rain seriously later in the day once I was settled in. 

Camino Day 18

Date: June 4th
Start:  Olveiroa
Stop:  Finisterre
Distance: 34 km
Weather: Cloudy in morning and sunny afternoon
Summary in one sentence: Half and half; bike and foot

Slow start as knew this was fairly short riding day.  Lingered at breakfast with Susan from Ottawa and Deon from Netherlands.  Mostly downhill to Cee (on the sea) then along the coast to Finisterre where I booked into La Plaz albergue.   Explored town and grabbed lunch before the 6 km round trip walk to lighthouse at end of the world.  Back in town I lounged around then picked up groceries including € 0.5 one litre tetrapac of vino tinto for picnic dinner.  Wandered some more around the fishing boat pier.  Went for a wade in Atlantic which was surprisingly warm.

Camino Day 17

Date: June 3
Start: Santiago
Stop: Olveiroa
Distance: 54 km
Weather: Sunny
Summary in one sentence: A nice spin through a hilly country.

Left Santiago and followed the walkers way to Finisterre.   Stayed on the path itself for first 10 km then afterwards used lovely quiet roads.  Stopped for coffee and lunch supplies en route.  Arrived at Olveiroa at 2:30 and secured a bed in albergue.   Nice evening spent in cafe with other pelegrinos.

Camino Day 16

Date: June 2nd
Start: Santiago de Compostela
Stop: Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 0 km
Weather: Sunny and hot
Summary in one sentence:  Hanging out in SDC

Originally planned to head off to Finisterre today but changed mind as I was not prepared with map etc. and felt like staying two nights in one place.  Wandered about the old city and found a map book for Finisterre.   Dodgy ankle let me down and went for classic sprall in cathedral plaza.  Ankle sore but should be fine tomorrow.  
I have never been to Rome but thinking this place is like a mini version with churches and other religious buildings on every block.  Attended pilgrims mass at noon which was guessing over a thousand in attendance.   Mass was in Spanish and Latin so didn't get much.  The main event was the ceremonial swinging of the burning incense filled 'botafumeiro' at the end of a long rope.  It takes eight men to get it going but it is almost touching the roof in full swing.  This is a rare event so I was lucky to have seen it.
Bought some delish cherries which are in season here now and fixed a puncture on front tire and did some laundry.  Wild times.

Camino Day 15

Date: June 1st
Start: Palas de Rei
Stop: Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 72 km
Weather: Clear and hot (28 degrees high!)
Summary in one sentence: Straightforward hilly highway run.

Nice weather with a bit of a tailwind to Santiago.   Being a Sunday the traffic was very light.  Hilly but gradual and net downhill.   On outskirts of Santiago joined the Camino proper and arrived around 1:30.  City confusion as usual but eventually found way to cathedral for obligatory photo on the steps.  Approached by tiny Spanish women who talked me into booking into her B&B which was very nice, centrally located and at €20 a good deal.
Spent afternoon orientating myself and exploring town.  Being Sunday there was much going on in the streets with folk singing groups and samba bands.
Lined up for an hour at pilgrims office to have my credential checked and issued my official Composela document.
Tomorrow off to the sea - 88 km to Finisterre.