We arrived in Finisterre yesterday, by bus. We came in a brand new double decker with an excellent driver who handled the two hour journey through the bends of the coastal road with precision. The left hand side of the bus provided great views for much of the way and for the first time I set eyes on the Atlantic Ocean.
The name Finisterre is derived from latin and translates as 'Lands End' and right up to the Middle Ages this was, quite literally, the end of the known world. The Camino connection is a bit more complicated in that St James spent time here, as well as nearby Muxia, so both these towns are often visited as an extension of the Camino.
Since arriving, the weather has been divine, clear blue sky, sunny and warm. Today we walked up to the lighthouse on the further most point of the peninsular for spectular views of the town, harbour and surrounding coast line. We felt so free walking without our packs, in fact I felt quite unbalanced at first. Finisterre is a fishing village and the sea food on offer here is amazing. We are indulging in decadent meals of calamari, prawns, fish and mussells.
We thought the walking was over, however we have now decided to walk to Muxia. Yesterday, our American friends, who we said goodbye to in Santiago with a lovely farewell dinner, turned up here in a hire car. Their plan is for two of them to walk to Muxia, while the third one drives the car with their packs, and after the excitement of meeting up with them yet again, they asked us to join them.
Muxia is 32km away so we will do the walk in two easy sections, spending a night in the village of Lires, then walking on to Muxia the following day. The guide book says it's a very scenic walk, much of it with coastal views, and it will be a novelty to walk with only a small daypack. So technically, until we reach Muxia, we sre still pilgrims, not tourists.
Since arriving, the weather has been divine, clear blue sky, sunny and warm. Today we walked up to the lighthouse on the further most point of the peninsular for spectular views of the town, harbour and surrounding coast line. We felt so free walking without our packs, in fact I felt quite unbalanced at first. Finisterre is a fishing village and the sea food on offer here is amazing. We are indulging in decadent meals of calamari, prawns, fish and mussells.
We thought the walking was over, however we have now decided to walk to Muxia. Yesterday, our American friends, who we said goodbye to in Santiago with a lovely farewell dinner, turned up here in a hire car. Their plan is for two of them to walk to Muxia, while the third one drives the car with their packs, and after the excitement of meeting up with them yet again, they asked us to join them.
Muxia is 32km away so we will do the walk in two easy sections, spending a night in the village of Lires, then walking on to Muxia the following day. The guide book says it's a very scenic walk, much of it with coastal views, and it will be a novelty to walk with only a small daypack. So technically, until we reach Muxia, we sre still pilgrims, not tourists.
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ReplyDelete"divine", Freudian slip or deliberate "Born Again" comment. Don't tell me you're becoming religious? Lol. We all knew you wouldn't be able to stop walking so congratulations and keep up the fitness levels.
ReplyDeleteWalking the Camino must be an amazing religious experience even if you are not religious. Just keep on walking and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys. It is exactly as you describe it Allan. You would love this walk Colin, it is so social. Steve
ReplyDeleteActually, the connection between the Camino and Finisterre, it's older than Saint James going to there.
ReplyDeleteWhat the majority of the people don't know, is that almost all the routes of all the Caminos, are old pilgrimage routes taken by Celts and other tribes from the Iberian Peninsula and also some from Central Europe, who went in pilgrimage every Samhain (the end of the Celtic year) to Finisterre, where they used to burn their clothes and other belongings, has a way to purify their soul, and put the last year to an end (does it reminds you of something? :) )
"While the pilgrimage to Santiago is quite old (1000 years or more), an even older pilgrimage exists: to Finisterre, the "end of the world". This destination was considered magical for ancient pagan Celts who thought that paradise existed beyond the horizon."