The end of the world

In pagan times, Finisterre was known as " the end of the world", as it was thought to be the most westerly point and before the discovery if the Americas, this did make it the end of the known world. Well, they were a bit off, geographically, as there's a place in Portugal further west, and there's a lot more to the world than Europe, but the tradion of walking out here has been revived, and for me, it was a much clearer end point than Santiago de Compostela. 

Leaving Corcubion pre-dawn, I was walking with Jill & Deb. Lovely, clear, cool morning

The beach at Estorde, where we found a fabulous hotel and cafe by the beach. One to return to for sure, and they served the biggest portion of bacon & eggs I've seen for a long time. I feel like I've eaten a whole pig by myself, here in Spain !

Jill & Deb, my lovely companions for this Camino. I met them early in the morning of the first day out of Santiago de Compostela, and have walked and dined with them most of the time since. 

Life's tough ...

Finisterre town. We'd been led to believe, by various books, that Finisterre is an ugly and boring place, and were glad to be proven wrong. It's not picturesque in the way of other Spanish towns, but it's far from ugly, and a pleasant place to while away a few hours. 

0.00km, the waymarker at the end of the world

The famous Finisterre lighthouse. The most westerly point is approximately 10m from where I'm standing to take this photograph

I am now in my hotel, waiting for the bus to take me back to Santiago de Compostela, where I have a couple of days to collapse, then I plan to catch a bus to Salamanca for a few days. SdeC is ok, but very touristed and with endless Camino souvenir shops. So, I'd rather get to somewhere completely different, and hole up in a nice hotel in a pretty place, to reflect on the Camino and the journey I've undertaken. 

This short Camino has been a perfect finish. The social, friendly atmosphere, the beautiful and largely off-road path, the company of my two Canadian ladies, and finishing at the sea, has completed the journey in a way that a big, scaffolded cathedral in a busy city, just didn't. Finishing off with a great seafood meal, a bottle of Spanish white, by the harbour as the sun set, with Jill & Deb, was perfect.