Next Phase In Fitness & Life

Over 60 and living my best life

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Finisterre – 2 years ago

July 6, 2016 By nextphaseinfitness Leave a Comment

Two years ago today, I walked into Finisterre to complete 1018 kms walking the Camino de Santiago, across Spain.  I just thought I would mention it today, as I didn’t say anything much about it at the time. The end of the Camino for me was very much an anti climax and I still think I haven’t had entire completion in my mind.

I had actually completed the official Camino at Santiago, but from when I first decided to do this pilgrimmage, I knew I wanted to walk the extra distance to the Atlantic Ocean, which in medieval times was considered to be the edge of the world.

20140709-153216.jpg

I had planned to take three days to walk the extra distance to Finisterre – about 90ks.  But at the end of the first day, I received the news that my father had passed away. From then on, I just wanted to get home as soon as possible. Getting home was going to be complicated from where I was, and I was really worried that I would miss my Dad’s funeral.

After making enquiries, it was obvious that the only way to get home was to continue walking to Finisterre. The walk between Santiago and Finisterre is much more isolated than the Camino had been, so there was nothing for it, but to walk. The next day, I walked over 50k in pouring rain – alone, sad and crying most of the way. It still brings tears to my eyes, thinking about it. This was the worst day of the entire Camino for me. I was wet, I was grieving and I did not want to walk. I just wanted to go home.

On reaching Finisterre, I needed to be alone so decided to book into a B&B instead of staying at the crowded albergue. From there it was a long trip to Madrid airport, by bus and train and another overnight stop at the airport, before finally flying out of Spain towards home. That was also, after paying the huge amount the airline demanded to change my tickets. After charging me thousands of dollars extra, the airline lost my luggage! I should say that the luggage did eventually turn up a couple of days after I arrived home.

I would love to go back and walk Santiago to Finisterre again, as it’s a bit of a blur to me. I remember that, after the last 100k on the Camino to Santiago,  being very crowded, especially with noisy school groups, it was such a relief to feel isolated again. I saw very few people walking the route after Santiago, and actually was concerned a few times whether I had wandered off the track, as it was so quiet.

The Lighthouse at the end of the world, known as Faro de Fisterra.

20140709-153331.jpg

Bronze boot mounted in stone – A symbol of the end of this part of the journey. Some pilgrims choose to burn their boots at a firepit nearby. There was no way, I was burning my much loved boots that never let me down.

 

https://nextphaseinfitness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/20140709-153242.jpg

The very last Camino shell pointing the way.

 

Save

Save

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Camino, Camino de Santiago, Finisterre

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to My Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,242 other subscribers

Categories

Archives

Kiva - loans that change lives
Australian Women Bloggers Directory by Blog Chicks

Tags

12wbt 150 Walks In Victoria April A-Z Challenge Axedale bendigo Blogging books bushwalking Camino Camino de Santiago Central Victoria challenge Christmas Coastrek CoastrekMelbourne cycling exercise Fernwood Fitness Fitness For Seniors fit over 60 fitover60 foxy goals gym Health healthy eating hiking history I quit Sugar life Maxine's Challenge Melbourne Coastrek 2017 Michelle Bridges nutrition O'Keefe Rail Trail postaday reading running Spain strength training sugar free Victoria walking weight training

Connect with me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • About Camino de Santiago

Copyright © 2022 Next Phase In Fitness · Contact

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.