June 5, 2024 – Cuiña to Santo Andrés de Teixido – 29 kms – Casa Rural San Andrés de Teixido
June 6, 2024 – Santo Andrés de Teixido to Valdoviño – 30 kms – Hotel Valdoviño
June 7, 2024 – Valdoviño to Ferrol – 24 kms – Hotel America
June 8, 2024 – Ferrol to Pontedeume – 26 kms – Casa Apilladeira
June 9, 2024 – Pontedeume to Betanzos – 23 kms – Apartment Casa Típica Betanzos
June 10, 2024 – Betanzos to Vilarno – 32 kms – A Casa do San Paul de Buscas
June 11, 2024 – Vilarno to Santiago – 32 kms – Hospedaje José Rey
June 12, 2024 – Santiago to Negreira – 24 kms – Pension Albergue de Legrosa
After finishing the Camino del Mar we decided to go into Ferrol for a night to start the Camino Ingles at kilometre zero. The Mar joins the Camino Ingles about 6 kms outside of Ferrol so it wasn’t much of a side trip. It turns out that if we had not made that decision they would not have issued us a credential in Santiago. Mileage of 4012 kms in a continuous line from Budapest is not apparently sufficient. Three different people poured over our two metre long credentials frowning and shaking their heads. What they were looking for was a completed route in addition to the 100 kms into Santiago. We did not complete the Chemin d’Arles, but rather cut over to Bayonne where we did part of the Vasco followed by part of both Olvidado routes. Then we joined the San Salvador one day after it started, did five nights on the Norte, completed the yet to be recognized Camino del Mar before starting the Camino Ingles. Relief swept over the manager’s face at the pilgrim office when she saw the stamp for Ferrol. Our credentials were stamped and our compostelas printed. Gord was hoping to get the certificate of distance, but that was a firm no. He will have to be happy with me adding the distance to both of our credentials myself. To hell with rules, we did the distance.
Our credentials were greeted with much more enthusiasm at Adelina’s cafeteria, located just before Bruma on the Camino Ingles. Hugs and photos were taken as Adelina looked at almost every stamp repeating the place or country out loud for the benefit of the local customers.
We were also proud to unveil them in the square in front of the Cathedral to a Korean chorus of “ahs”. A delightful young woman from Poland did a full photo shoot of us in front of the Cathedral this morning before we set off on another Camino. This time to Muxia and on to A Coruña before we head back to Madrid and home.
The numbers:
157 days
4,012 kms walked or cycled from Budapest
1925 kms from Arles this year
12 different Caminos, but only one official one completed.
8 Rest days
5 countries ( Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, France and Spain).
1 night with bed bugs
5 reunions with friends
1 hand delivered homemade tarta de Santiago
26 ticks found on or in us
1 case of Lyme disease
2 filled sketchbooks
So many wonderful people who helped us along the way.
Without peer.
Congratulations on an epic journey! Thanks for taking us along for the walk/ride.
Maybe a closeup or two of that scroll?
You are very welcome. Thanks for joining along!
viaggio magnifico!
Congratulations on your accomplishments. You both never fail to amaze us and we love living vicariously through you! Have loved the blog and the pics and look forward to your next adventure!!!
Hugs, hugs, hugs!
I am so happy for you.
And let’s forgive those for whom the rules are more important than the true meaning of the Camino.
We do not have a certificate at all after having done 4500 km. We just smile about it.
And I smile thinking about anybody who tried to question your Way. You did it and in great style!
Congrats!
Congratulations! What a feat and you certainly earned the compostela. With Gordon’s government background he probably understands the need for policies and rules, but that really seems to be taking it too far!
I laughed out loud at this comment John.
Congratulations, you two!!
Great to hear your stories & see your photos & paintings. Thank you for writing & sharing all your adventures!
Enjoy the rest of your time in Europe!
Thanks Mark!
Congratulations on making the epic walk and ride! By chance I am now on a Camino in Figeac, France, the Via du Puy or Via Podiensis. Later on I hope to visit places on your route this year farther south in France.
Bill
Wonderful Bill! Le Puy was my first ( and possibly) still my favourite camino. Fegeac was lovely. I remember we his it on a Sunday after a long walk and I didn’t have enough energy to really explore. The color of the stones is marvellous! Will you stay on the route?
Congratulations ???? Ruth & Gord
You did it….an amazing walk and bike???????????? and quite an adventure ❣️
Thanks for sharing beautiful pictures & drawing????????
Thanks France!
Congratulations Ruth & Gord. We are impressed. More than 4000 km! We enjoyed your stories photos and drawings.
Your list of pelgrimages is growing. With special thoughts of 2013. Lausanne to Rome, when we met on top of the Gran Bernardo.
Have another nice time in Spain before heading back home. Love. Thom&Elly
Ah the Col de San Bernard! That was a challenging day with a great end. So glad we met you that day!
Congratulations on your accomplishments. You both never fail to amaze us and we love living vicariously through you! Have loved the blog and the pics and look forward to your next adventure!!!