Friday, September 19th
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| Mel at the Ferrol waterfront |
It is still raining. No surprise! I walked to Galicia Praza to meet friend Jan who has arrived from Scotland to make the journey with me. I arrived as she stepped off the airport bus. We eat a hearty breakfast at the hotel, take some 'wee' sandwiches and cheese for later. Backpacks on we head for the local bus to get to the bus station. The bus driver is great about letting us off near the station and making sure we know which way to walk. 'Buen Camino'!
The bus to Ferrol is packed with students from the University heading home for the weekend. We end up on the second bus. The rain is coming down in sheets. We take little notice. This is the first time we have seen one another in 20 years. Suddenly it is 3pm. The bus has stopped, Jan and I are the only ones left on the bus. This must be Ferrol. We have no idea where we are in the town, but we guess a direction for the waterfront and start walking. We walk (wander) for 35 minutes to find the Tourist Information booth at the Waterfront. This is the place to get our first sello in our pilgrim credenciale. The tourist office opens at 4 pm and we are off! The goal - walk 118 km to Santiago de Compostela over the next 6 days.
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| Our first scallop shell symbol |
Our first destination is a sweeping walk around the sheltered inlet from Ferrol to Neda a little more than 14km.We find our first Scallop Shell and yellow arrow markers. We walk past large Spanish Naval bases as we journey through Ferrol. The road we follow is busy with cars,the weather is variable with rain and wind and sunshine. Backpacks seem to grow heavier, but we are confident. The local people wave to us and make sure we follow the correct path. Two folks out walking near our destination ask if we are going to the Albergue in Neda... follow them it will be quicker and easier. Good thing, it is heading toward Sunset at 8:30 pm. As we approach the double arched footbridge we are about to cross, it is over arched by an incredible rainbow. A perfect welcome to our first stop on the journey. It is energizing to begin another Camino.
Buen Camino.
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| double arched bridge at Nede |
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| Jan checks our map |
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| Looking back at Ferrol |
Dear Mel,
ReplyDeleteI am with you all the way. What an adventure. keep me posted.
Love,
Babs
Hi Mel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us along with you on your journey! Now that you are an expert on Facebook, maybe you can help with our reunion facebook page?? Wishing you all the best on your Camino with sunny days and blue skies!
Carole
Great job!!
ReplyDelete