Day 29 Olveiroa to Finisterre

We were ready to leave by 0600, we knew we had a long day ahead of us and it was due to be very hot according to the weather forecast.

Peregrino evolution, how far they have come!!!!

We climbed out of Oliveiroa and we could see the wind turbines above the mist on the other side of the valley.

It really was an incredible sight. The sun was rising and it was already getting hot.

We stopped at a cafe after 3 miles as this would be our last watering hole for 8 miles, as we would be walking across the isolated high moors.

Time for one last shadow photo.

We soon turned off the road onto the moors.

This was turning into a beautiful walk. After we had walked for 5 miles I realised that I had gone through the 400 mile mark, we shook hands and Yotty placed a stone.

On we went, I could not wait for the lads to see the marvellous view of the sea in 5 miles. We came across a chap selling drinks and Yotty made a new friend.

The views were stunning.

We came around a corner and there it was, the most wonderful view of the sea and Finisterre in the distance, the end of our walk was in sight, what a great moment.

The above photo is the lighthouse at Finisterre some 10 miles away, that was our goal.

We dropped down into Cee and walked along the shoreline.

We had another break as it was getting so hot.

We had a very steep climb which put my Achilles to the test.

We couldn't find a Portuguese tart but we spotted a Spanish one.

I had promised Yotty that if we made it to Finisterre I would take him to a wonderful restaurant on the beach that I knew served wonderful garlic prawns and I was delighted to oblige.

I have such wonderful memories of this restaurant and I knew the food would be good and I was not let down.

Sadly it was over all too soon and we had to carry on walking in the blistering heat.

The heat was becoming unbearable but it did not deter us.

As we entered Finisterre I was feeling drained.

DOB 

Time for a beer .

Then onto the lighthouse to burn our clothes which is an age old tradition, and believe you me my clothes needed burning!!

This 4 miles would add onto an already testing walk, but it was worth it when the lighthouse came into sight.

Our journey was over; we had done it!!! We shook hands, burnt our clothes and just savoured the moment.

I placed my stone that I had bought with me from England and had my own private thoughts.

We felt like kings.

I would never have had the courage to take on a Camino if it had not been for Jeremy, so at Worlds End this one is for you and heart felt. Buen Camino, Jeremy.

By now the heat was becoming unbearable.

We  needed to get into the shade so we headed back into Finisterre to find our hotel.

We had hoped to walk for another day into Muxia, but after today it would have been an anti climax, this was always going to be where are long journey was going to end.

Tomorrow is going to be a rest day, I think we will go up to the lighthouse and watch the sunset.

It is hard to believe it is all over, we have come so far and seen so much.

We would like to thank all the people who walked with us: Barney, Martin, Louly, Christabell, Matt, James , Carmen, Phil, Heather and Steve.

I am pleased to say I heard from Oscar, he made it to Santiago, not that there was any doubt that he would.

I would like to end todays blog by congratulating Yotty, I had always planned to walk the first part of the Camino on my own, it was only 3 weeks before I was due to leave that he made the monumental decision to join me. The walk ceased to be about me and all that mattered to me was getting Yotty over the finishing line. 

Well he did it and I am so proud of him, he has never once complained about the constant pain he has been in, he has showed to me he has got real guts and a sense of determination which I suspect he did not know he possessed. I hope this journey will stand him in good stead for the rest of his life and as they say "When the Camino ends the Camino begins". A walking legend in my eyes and it was a joy to spend a month with my nephew / friend.

Stats for today

Walked 24 miles

Distance coved 419 miles