Misson Accomplished ..... Santiago de Compestella

Well add two shiny new ??????? pilgrims to the list!! We arrived in Santiago on the 30th but due to some technical issues we have not been able to post the good news until now.
A couple of days out and what a shock to meet up with the French Route. People everywhere, coffee shops about a kilometer apart and vending machines chained to cow barns. But as usual everybody, well nearly all, were in high spirits and full of chat and good wishes.
The last day seemed an anticlimax in the end, no brass bands, no vestal virgins spreading rose petals in our path just bus loads of pensioner age spanish women elbowing their way through to the front of whatever. But we got our last stamp and received our Compestellas and found a nice hotel and promptly crashed for a couple of hours.
Next day we had a relaxed start, had a wander around Santiago and went to the pilgrim mass, saw the fumidor? swing through the chuch incense wafting everywhere. Later as a treat, seeing as it was our 21st wedding anniversary, we went to the parador, the oldest in Spain, and had dinner then back to the hotel.
Today, we picked up a hire car and are doing the tourist thing with the idea that we will go to the Picos National Park, across to the Pyrenees? to Bacelona and finish in Madrid.
I´m still not sure about the walk, I think it will take some time for it all to sink in. We saw some wonderful country, met some beautiful people, as well as some who don´fit that description,(possibly they were just having an off day) chatted to people from all over the world, had the time and peace to contemplate a lot, I think the real challange will be seeing if we can truely put our thoughts into action for many years to come.
We would like to thank everyone for the encouragement, messages, and keeping us in your thoughts, the emails were very comforting and uplifting some days even more than others. We look forward to seeing you all soon, stay safe.
Chris and Vern

Wet Muddy Flooding Spain

Well we have had an interesting week. After our last message the weather reports said 7 days of heavy rain all across the northern coast. It was rain that we where just not prepared to go out in.

So we headed by bus to Granada and Seville and the sunshine with a plan to return to the walk a week later. It was to be a great suggestion by Vern as the region we were in, Asturia had floods, mudslides, washed away cars and bridges and some loss of life.

We were seeing news reports of the damage but it was difficult to appreciate if it would be OK to continue walking on the northern coast route. Our understanding of the news bulletins in Spainins was limited to the pictures and it did not look great. So we decided that the best was was to return as planned and walk and see what the challenges were.

As planned we return after 7 days down south and the weather has cleared. There is lots of mud and a washed away bridge we reached today had been detoured by a makeshift road by the local authorities. Plenty of evidence of swollen rivers and washed away roads.

Anyhow we are on track again and walking and very pleased to be heading for the finish line now. We will soon be in Ribedo were we head south to Santiago de Compostella. We dont expect many more internet opportunities so will make a new post from there.

My feet are now doing well and the new boots are comfortable.

Thanks to everyone who had added a post as it great to recieve your comments and encouragement.

Love to All from Chris & Vern

Wet Spain

We have found wet Spain and its very wet. There is lots of local flooding and I can only imagine the state of the path ahead of us. We are in Gijon cooling our heels until it clears a little and we will try to find out about the conditions ahead.

Les we had a night in Ribadesella and it was lovely. We arrived when the sun was out and the tide was in and we stayed in a lovely old hotel overlooking the harbour. The boats looked nice and we had a much needed lunch by the water. It was difficult to leave the next morning.

I have worn out my boots and they have a hole in the tread of each one. So Vern has treated me to a new pair of boots. My feet should stay dry now so that will be a bonus.

We are keen to move on and reach Ribado as that is where we start to head south to Santiago.

Have a look at a few more photos we have added to http://picasaweb.google.com/home

Cheers to All from Chris & Vern

Coffee Shop Blogging

We are now in San Vincente in a WiFi coffee shop entering this message on the iPhone. All is good and my blisters have healed.

We are thinking of Javier and his first birthday. Sorry to have missed it. Please take lots of photos and give him our love. Our love to Maddie, Josephine and Ashley also. Tell Maddie we are still looking for Dora.

Love Chris & Vern

Santander

We have arrived in Santander today. The weather is good and we have had little rain so far.
After 31 degrees in Bilboa it is a little cooler again now.

We stayed at a great albergue last night where we met some interesting people from around the world. The host was very interesting and he had lots of volunteer who help him run the hostel. We were provided with meals and entertaiment.

We are not sure of the mileage we have done because of the conflicting information on maps , road signs when we see them and the guidebook. However there is still a long way to go so we are not focusing on the mileage.

Today we will explore Santander before moving on. It is a bustling city and a change from cow paddocks.

The little gas stove we have has proved very useful. At present my man servant is making me my morning tea.

I could not have done this trip alone, Vern has been so helpful and motivating when I needed it. That walking stick is a great prod :-) .

We met a French couple who where cycling the route and she had a whistle to send a message to her husband if he got too far in away.

We are getting into the groove

Hi to all. We are both well.

We had a rest day in Bilboa which was really nice and much deserved. After expecting an industrial city we were very surprised as it was welcoming and clean. The Guggenheim Museum was great. More so for the building than the modern art inside.

We are now on the coast west of there and our days start at about 6am walking whilst it's cool. Then breakfast along the way. Into town by early afternoon if possible. We are doing better with our walking speed now.

Heading into Cantabria and the hills are less demanding apparently, ahead of us.

There are few albergue open so we are staying in Pensions which are comfortable and welcoming at the end of the day.

We have had some nice fresh food and vino tinto (only a little).

Heading for Santander now love Chris & Vern

ummmmm....I have no idea and I didn't watch. Cane toads are too good!!