Day 12 in Spain - around Corme

Sunday 5-26

After yesterday's excitement a lazy day. The weather was nice and I tell James and Werner about the Faro (lighthouse) past the harbor. All 4 of us went down to the porto, Ute and I went into the cafe/tapas place (with WiFi where I had been several times before) and the men set off for the lighthouse (you probably have seen my lighthouse pictures). I suggested they check on their way back whether we would be still there but they never came.

I had instructions from James to upload one blog and sinc the pictures for him. I also did my “homework”. Then we decided we would like a snack and ordered calamari. Oh, they are so good here.

I couldn't think that the walk would take this long for two experienced hikers so Ute and I went back to the flat where we found them. James said there were so many of these places, he couldn't remember which one we would be in.

We had decided that our main meal needed to be at lunch time since they do not serve in the evening before 9 pm. That is the time when pilgrim's go to bed, ha-ha. No, we are really not used to that. Lunch starts at 1 pm so that's when we set off again. Werner had invited us and we went to the Miramar.

Three of us had the salad with scampi as first course. So good!

 

Ute and I had 'a selection of fish' which came on one platter for us. No idea what fish it was but it was delicious and I am sure it came out of these waters. And Spanish potatoes are super.

James couldn't believe when his plate arrived with a huge steak.

Werner was very happy with his 'tongue'.

Late afternoon we went down to the beach but the water was too high to go between the rocks and around the corner. Ute, James and I just did a brief paddle. There were some strange hippies on the beach today (I guess because it is Sunday). Some seemed a bit high. At least one of the girls sunbathed totally naked (not counting the tattoos) and when Ute stayed for a while on the bench in the sun she told us later that one of the men stripped and ran into the water for just a short while. Oh well …

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If you want to go to "Day 13" click here.

Day 11 in Spain - meeting the pilgrims in Santiago

Saturday 5-25

The day James and Werner are arriving in Santiago de Compostela. Because of Werner's leg which needs a rest I am going to get them for a couple of day. Finisterra has to wait.

Marina gave me excellent directions to a parking lot and the GPS helped too.

This is the narrow street I have to drive. She said raise your eyes and you see the Albergue where most pilgrims stay.

 The parking lot is to the left.

Up the narrow street again and into the center of the city. First thing I saw: there was a market.

Texting to James: I am here.

Answer: Just coming out of peregrinos office with Compostella (the certificate!)

Gadgets make it so easy these days to find each other. Ah, I am so proud of James!!!!! (How many ! should I use?)

James, Werner and Josef from Austria who had joint them the third day or so.

James and I get an audio guide and walk around the church to learn about the most important things. There is SO MUCH to see, incredible.

A service was going on so we were very discreet. But I had to make a little video to preserve this ear-candy as memory.

We were very early so today there was no line yet to see the tomb of St James. Whether there are really his bones or not, it is very moving nonetheless.

Then James and I went for a coffee con leche and 'had to have' a piece of 'torte de Santiago' which was offered as breakfast. Very nice.

Had to go to the bathroom. Left damas, right vino cellar.

Back to the cathedral because we wanted to be there for the pilgrim's service at noon. We were an hour early and had a seat on a bench. They filled up fast. People from all over the world, both gender, all ages and shapes. It was very moving.

 The organ.

We were told no photography, video or telephone etc. during the service but at the end when they used the cencer (the world's largest holy smoker) we were allowed. 

That was something!!! (see video)

I should have let it run a little longer because it flew even higher. I read somewhere that in the middle ages when Catherine of Aragon (later Henry VIII first wife) visited, they overdid it and it flew out of the window.

After the service a quick photo of the very elaborate altar area. Unbelievable.

Afterwards we looked for lunch. I left the three to run quickly to the lace shop (the one which closed when I went there first time).

 I love the streets. So much character.

I found it quickly enough. It was Sabado. It was before 14 o'clock ... but it was closed. No chance again to buy Marina's book about Hinojosa lace.

After lunch my pilgrims wanted to retrieve their backpacks. They were told it was open all day. Here is the sign. Well, it wasn't.

 But James went and found the man with the key.

We stopped at one of the many gift shops to buy a t-shirt for William. But nothing is really suitable. I took a picture of this for Stephen in Paducah, KY.

 So, back at the car. We said good-bye to Josef who went on to the albergue and I drove James and Werner to the apartment in Corme.

 Finally in Corme we took it easy the rest of the day. We had a little snack with the cheese I had bought the day before in the market for James. Of course the famous camino shell.

 I was told how they had been served the tapas!

 We celebrated! Here are James' books: Credencial del Pelegrino.

When they check into each albergue they received a stamp. Those are needed to get the certificate at the end.

Yes, a video!

 The most important stamp!

 And the certificate!

We have celebrated! I am soooooooooo proud of James. And I am so grateful for the blogs he has written because I feel like I could experience it somehow with him. And of course thanks to the LORD for protecting him!













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If you want to go to "Day 12" click here.

Day 10 in Spain - around Corme

Friday 5-24

Since we did a lot of driving yesterday and probably going to do tomorrow we decided on a lazy day again. Well, we took that seriously.

We had breakfast still casual and then I worked some on the lace trial project which I finished. Weatherwise it looked like it was going to be a nice day so I felt like a brisk walk. The hill to the left out of the living room window looked inviting.

Scattered houses to the right which looked like it was the direction of the lighthouse. I took the street to the left.

You can see the house with the apartment slightly to the right of the middle of this picture.

Down to the harbor.

What a surprise. It was market day. Ute had said for several days she would like to see a market. I too love open air markets. So I quickly run up to the apartment to get her because I had inquired that it would be over by noon.

The narrow streets were full with stalls. Straight ahead you can see the table with fabric. I had to buy some material for Helen and mine 'quilting stash'.

Had to buy one of the cheeses to the left. I hope it will be a treat when James is here.

When we were done looking at everything we went for lunch at 'my second WiFi place' close to the port. I did (as Ute calls it) my homework. To eat I had incredible calamari rings with fries which also were very nice. I like the potatoes here.

Back in the apartment I took a picture of my purchases.

My testing sample. 3 pair lace. Ute said she loves pulling pins. I am not happy with it but it might have possibilities. The glass head pins were a big problem with this. Of course it needs blocking and starching and trimming of the ends too.

Late afternoon we thought we needed to go down to the beach. Ute found the perfect bench. This picture also does not give a true impression. The beach looks much smaller then it is. I kicked my foot up to show that we were sitting on the bench ha-ha. There are rocks on the left of the water on the bottom of the hill and I wanted to see what was behind it. Since it was low tide it looked like that you could go through there. So I did.

 

Surprise, surprise. There is a tiny beach with almost a little cave. So beautiful.

A child's dream to play between the rocks. Of course parents need to watch the tide I am sure.

 

Later Ute and I played cards. I had bought a Spanish deck where I had to go always 'next door' (earlier blog). The suits definitely look different but it was fun. I tried to remember the rules to the game my father and I called 'Hanover'. After a while it came back to me … or at least most of it. Ute beat me 2 to 1.





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If you want to go to "Day 11" click here.