It’s official…we have completed 779 kilometers (484 miles in total) to Santiago de Compostela!!!
We are both feeling mixed emotions. We’re so glad we made it and can finally let our feet recover from the trauma we’ve put them through, but at the same time we’re a little sad it’s over. It will take some time to process all the feelings.
The good news is after 60 days we didn’t kill each other. The Camino was not a leisurely stroll and we each had moments where our heart wasn’t 100% in it, but we supported each other and understood when space was needed.
We’re proud of ourselves and what we accomplished. We’re not signing up for another Camino just yet, but haven’t completely closed the door on the possibility of doing another route some day. We’ll see. Time will tell.
We will summarize everything and post later. For now, we have a new problem to solve which we will share soon.
Day 58 – Nov 2, 2022 – Boente to Salceda (19,45 km / 12.09 miles)
Oh boy, did we ever screw up today. The less than 20 km route turned into 23. The address for our hostal in our confirmation directed us incorrectly off the Camino and to different Hostal altogether, one THAT WAS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. Once we figured it out and rerouted Google Maps, we had to walk an additional 2 km to the correct place – 100% of it on pavement. Our feet are absolutely hating us right now. I thought technology was supposed to help us?
Where’s Rex?
Day 59 – Nov 3, 2022 – Salceda to Labacolla (16,78 km / 10.43 miles)
We are so close now…we will post a video tomorrow!
Day 55 – Oct 30, 2022 – Mercadoiro to Ventas de Narón (18,90 km / 11.75 miles)
We were excited to have our shadows back today. The weather was sunny with a nice cool breeze. The break in the storm for our longer day today is greatly appreciated.
full circle viewA ”round” tree in a field
Day 56 – Oct 31, 2022 – Ventas de Narón to Pontecampaña (15,84 km / 9.84 miles)
Happy Halloween! I am disappointed we weren’t able to shoot a video for you of us in costume. For the past week, we searched for simple costumes to wear while hiking today. We were hopeful we would find something yesterday, when we rolled into Portomarin, but it was Sunday so everything was closed.
Oh well, we tried. Instead, we dressed up as hikers on the Camino.
Day 57 – Nov 1, 2022 – Pontecampaña to Boente (18,53 km / 11.51 miles)
We enjoyed another cool, dry day today. As we get into our final push into Santiago, we’ve been forced to do some longer days. Some of this is due to how the towns are spread out, but more of it has to do with the calendar and the albergues closing down for the season. Today was a longer day than we wanted, especially since we haven’t taken a down day since we left Astorga 16 days ago. Our feet are constantly sore, but we see the finish line only 46 km away. Shut up feet, we got this!
Day 52 – Oct 27, 2022 – Triacastela to Samos (9,69 km / 6 miles)
We had a short walk today only 10km. When we arrived one hour before we could check in, we decided to have a bite and a drink at the bar across the street. This was one of the coolest places we’ve found so far. All the furniture is antique and the food was fabulous. But most importantly, the soundtrack was outstanding. The owner had built her own playlist on Creada (the Spainish version of Spotify). It flowed with offbeat folksy cover tunes. It was wonderful.
Then we traveled back in time while visiting the Monastery of San Xulián de Samos which is an active Benedictine monastery in Samos, Galicia, Spain. It was founded in the sixth century.
The stone work and art was magnificent. The tour was given in Spanish so we didn’t understand much. We would get a few words here and there and probably words we wanted to hear… it seemed the monk leading the tour said “quesadilla” often. But maybe I am just hungry. Unfortunately photos weren’t allowed, but you can view the monastery from their website here.
Day 53 – Oct 28, 2022 – Samos to Sarria (14,54 km / 9 miles)
Today was rainy, hilly, green and gorgeous! We are now only 114 kilometers from Santiago as we enter Sarria.
We went for a drink and asked for tapas and couldn’t decide so the bartender asked “una de cada” or one of each. Rex said sí, por qué no!” Which means, sure why not.
We stayed in a dorm-style albergue for the last time intentionally. We wanted to feel the new pilgrim energy. But the albergue was too loud and sleep was hard to come by. It is all a part of the Camino experience.
Day 54 – Oct 29, 2022 – Sarria to Mercadoiro (17 km / 10.56 miles)
We experimented today. We wanted to give you a day in the life of a pilgrim walking the camino. So we created a point of view (POV) video just for you. This way from the comfort of your warm, dry living room you can walk 17 kilometers with us from Sarria to Mercadoiro.
It is best with the sound on and even better on a large screen with surround sound. You can listen to the rain, wind, birds, tractors, cows, footsteps, and my heavy breathing when walking uphill. No uphill swearing though. Sorry.
The video reflects 7 hours of walking, condensed to less than 14 minutes for your viewing pleasure.
Day 48 – Oct 23, 2022 – Valtuille de Arriba to Trabadelo (14,25 km / 8.85 miles)
Community dinnerCasa ”Susi”Trying to relax and not freezeAfter lights outNew Camino FamilyDouble rainbow
Day 49 – Oct 24, 2022 – Trabadelo to La Herrerías (10,37 km / 6.44 miles)
Day 50 – Oct 25, 2022 – La Herrerías to Liñares (11,14 km / 6.92 miles)
Huge climb up to O’Cebreiro today in the rain and wind. Watch the video for all the fun.
New Camino Family
Day 51 – Oct 26, 2022 – Liñares to Triacastela (19,66 km / 12.21 miles)
Today was our longest walk since before our break and we did well. We’d be lying if we said our feet aren’t hurting, but we have no new blisters or injuries. We are now less than 140km to Santiago! Woohoo! We walked the majority of the day with a lovely couple we shared a table with at breakfast from Australia (Jenny & Peter). The conversation made the walk fly by.
Thanks for reading, watching and providing moral support of our journey.
