Cidweli to the midlands

Yeah , still crook with this flu. so taking it rather easy and still enjoy the moment. 3 days hold up in cidweli, but a nice part of the world to be doing this. Was able to check out some of the local sights. The castle was very interesting as was the rest of the town. Don’t tell anyone, but I have drank one pint of lager in the last 9 days at my local, the white lion. The people are really nice people. The weather right through Wales has also been really good. Most days between 15 and 20 degrees. Rain sometimes but lots of sunshine. Have left cidweli and headed to the midlands of England to visit people I stayed with 4 years ago. John and Shirley. A retired couple who run a bnb. I have stayed with them for 2 nights and now visiting Aiden, who I met on the Camino. Hopefully by the time I reach Ireland later this week the antibiotics will have done the job and I can get serious about enjoying myself again.

The 23 dollar ferrari. It only had 400 miles on the clock when I picked it up

Very tempted. But cup of tea

The cidweli castle

Absolute beauty

Just like I feel

Sheep. Plenty of them

View of cidweli from within the castle

Great scenery

Latest update

Sunday. ,woke up, looking for the number of the truck that hit me. Shocking cold, sorest throat, I’ve ever experienced. Body aches, and still have swollen shin. Good day for laying on the beach. John from Scotland ,hit by same truck. Amazing, finished walking days ago and the body decides to pack it in. Monday no better, off to pharmacy ,not the licensed one I normally attend. You name it, I got it. I decided I should go and do something positive, rather than laze about. Got bus from finistere to Santiago airport and flew to London gatwick airport. In the 6 months prior to camino, I saw some great docos on the Wales and Irish coast lines. So I tentatively booked a car 23 dollars a day. Tuesday was fun, no map, and off I went. I mean England isn’t that big. I drove through surrey and Redhill, and to Epsom. Then I bought a map as maybe it might come in handy. I then took the M25, ring road for about 15 minutes and was almost back in gatwick. I did a u turn and finally got north of London and got back to the country road A40, stopped at Beaconsfield and ate the sanga I made and drove past Oxford, Cheltenham, Gloucester and finished in a farm bnb in birdwood. Today I will head down to Cardiff before tackling the coast. Still crook. But, she’ll be right mate.

The big red bus

Don’t see these in Australia anymore

Fancy leaving here for the U.K. but it could turn miserable here too

I might be crook but still having fun

Me and pommie Martin

End of the world

Finnistere was recognized as the end of the world. until Columbus found America. Well today it might as well have been the end of the world. I can’t believe how bad the weather was. Hopefully tomorrow will be better because the scenery would be incredible under blue skies

0 ks the Atlantic Ocean on my right

C gull on the roof

Photos

All pilgrims are special. some very special. Bruce is a rare very very very special.

Will be much tougher for pilgrims next month in the peak season.

The church’s roof is reinforced, and I am greatful

Bus

Friday , really sore and tired. shin still swollen. So not walking to finistere. Stay in Santiago, rest and soak up the atmosphere. As soon as you walk into the square, you see pilgrims you have walked with. I was also lucky to talk to Gayle and wish her a happy birthday. The pilgrim’s church service was incredible, even for common sinners like people I know. Hard to explain the feeling. Had lunch with Bruce, Fred, his daughter and several others. Walked about, had siesta, walked about and then 5.30 met with Tracy, Lilli, Christina from Belgium and had a drink of the local medication. They left me at 7 to go to 7.30 mass. Once was enough for me in one day. I went to 12th century restored monastery, 10 euro 3 course meal including vino. you just join in with others. Early night . Weather was sunny and 25, glorious sunshine. Woke up Saturday morning, clouds and became foggy and drizzle. Caught bus to finistere. Used to be known as the end of the earth. Might as well be today. crap weather. Hopefully sun back tomorrow, as stunning scenery. My camino took 37 days. I think that gives me bragging rights over the six legs on the Camino as I recall them taking 38. I thank them and every body else for your supportive feedback. Everyone needs to walk one of the many caminos on offer. It is such an incredible experience. The Commonwealth heads of government meetings should be held on the Camino. There would be no more war. I will keep posting photos of the rest of my journey

Rest day.

Wednesday night, beautiful food and beverage. With beautiful friends. Thursday, slept till 9.30 and relaxed. Saw many more recognizable faces throughout the day. Connected up with Merton, had drinks and dinner with him, he Flys out in the morning. Saw Tracy and daughter lilly, will catch up tomorrow night. Still deciding to walk or bus to finistere. Bus sounds good, that way I can lie on the beach for a few days. Hopefully warm weather. After saying good night to Merton, I kept thinking I haven’t seen Bruce, myx Canadian friend or John mark. As I am walking to the hostal, 10 pm through the square, someone yells my name, can you believe it ,the 2 of them. We hug and hug. I didn’t want to leave without seeing Bruce again. Tomorrow, big day when we catch up. I also am going to pilgrims mass 12 noon

Keeping my credential in sight

Well hung and Justin

Me feeling great

Looks like mine

No more poncho

Left albergue under clouds but mild 10 degrees. By 11 am, the clouds broke up and it was very pleasant walking through the shaded woodlands. Pretty stuffed by the end and sore, but it was hilly from the 20 k mark and it was a 26 k day. I met shawny and ilia today, amazing, they left st Jean pied de port the same day as me and we had never run into each other before. And today saw them heaps. Also saw Sophie and Natalie for the first time in days. and less than 50 ks to go. This evening I am in ribadiso. Heading to licensed pharmacy. Hopefully have seafood. Had a big plate of garlic squid last night. You could smell me a mile away today. ‘Doesn’t matter ‘

My new friends who have been on the Camino as long as me

Nice blue

Needs a black sash

Less than 50 to go ÝAY

I can see planes again

Renovators delight

The dancing pilgrims

Finally sunshine

Had garlic prawns and a seafood pizza for dinner last night, washed down with vino and shared some octopus washed down with sangria. It eased the pain immensely. I was that knackered when I arrived at Portomarin, I had a beer before showering and washing my clothes. The albergue was good and the seafood was incredible. I am now in the region renowned for seafood. Quite cheap, so I hope to pig out on it. This morning, although cloudy and fog was mild and happy to set off in my tshirt. It looked like rain till about 11 am and then the afternoon was bathed in sunshine. I thought I must have made a wrong turn considering the weather i had been expriencing.After about 4 ks I knew I was going to be in pain so I got the big pain killer out which at least allowed me to walk at a reasonable pace as I wanted to take a detour to villa de donas. It added an extra 4.6ks to the 25 ks already on offer for the day. Anyway I made it and am now in the albergue in palas de rei. the first cafe I went to must have had 100 pilgrims and I didn’t recognize 1 of them. All brand new ones. I did meet some new ones and they were blown away when I told them I had been walking since the 11th of April. I must admit I too am blown away thinking about it.

The story of Vilar de donas

Graves of the Vikings

The new growth . looking good

Nice to find a spot for lunch and all to my own

Pizza and garlic prawns. Yum

Typical village

Lots of dairies and villages along the camino

Sarria. The run home.

Had to drag myself out of the cosy hotel this morning. didn’t leave till 9.30, latest start to date. it was tshirt weather (about 5 degrees )had rained all night, heavy cloud and fog but not raining yet. a steady climb to the top, and the fog sort of lifted away, and the views were spectacular. The walking, apart from the mud was easy and like walking through a rain forest. Saw Tracy, who was in a great frame of mind considering her daughter was linking up with her in sarria to walk the last 11 1 or so ks. from here they tell me it’s like the last stampede as many pilgrims start here to get their credential stamp of completion . I also saw my adopted daughter, Natalie, a dutch girl. Splitting image of my daughter Emily. A beautiful smile and talk you under the table. The albergue I found is quite nice. 14 beds to the dorm, but not squashed in like sardines as can be the case sometimes.