Saturday 17 October Rua to Santiago de Compostela (20.35 km/12.64 mi)

Last day! And it’s been a very big one! Another great hiking day into Santiago today, meeting Sarah from Aukland, soon to be Melbourne along the way.

A short stop in Vilamaior along the way, where we’d hope to grab a bite of lunch but we were too early. (We’d stayed here on our last Camino and the food was sensational).

Then onwards into Santiago to the Praza de Obradoiro and the Cathedral. After reflecting on our achievement and taking the celebratory photo, we headed to the Pilgrim Office to get our Compostela.

The hike from Sarria has been harder than I remember (I must be getting old), but more beautiful, fabulous to walk with Beth, and we’ve met some lovely people along the way, including Sarah today.

Then let the celebration begin… first round, to the Parador cafe for a glass of cava.

Then nearly a kilometre up a hill and multiple stairs to our hotel for a quick shower and change. Then it was back to the Cathedral to do the Roof and Carracca’s Tower tour… not ideal to do all those stairs just after a 20+km day but we fly out tomorrow morning. Beth didn’t realise we’d actually be walking on the bare roof with no guard rails etc, in strong wind… but what’s life without a challenge? She was a bit nervy but very brave and faced down her fear.

After a bit of shopping, we had an hour to kill and there was no way I was going back up the hill to our hotel… so we had an aperitif in the bar before enjoying a delicious dinner at Dos Reis Especia at the Parador.

One small blister and a lot of protection…
Waiting for scraps after breakfast
Heading out of A Rua
In O Pedrouza
With Sarah walking through the bluegum forests
Around the airport
Today’s beautiful fungi…
a classic fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) (Thanks Google)
Protest signs against industry/mines in the forest just before Lavacolla
Mountain sheep?
Into Lavacolla
Less than 10km to go
Morning tea at Vilamaior… carrot cake with a delicious light topping. Cream cheese based? Not too sweet.
Beth had liked this graffiti when I posted it in 2025… now her turn!
These stickers were all along our hike.
Into Santiago
Bagpipers still playing non-stop under the entry arch
With the final stamp and Compostela
Celebratory cabaret overlooking Obradoiro Square
The 🤬🤬🤬 hill
A delightful bakery on the way back down… with delicious mini tartas de Santiago
Enjoying her half of our mini tarta
Windswept and nervous on the cathedral roof
The fabulous Maria
Looking down into Praza Obradoiro, and Parador on the right. The tents are a long-term protest over lack of housing.
The back of the statue of St James, above the Portico of Glory
Back downstairs again and into the Myseum … The Cloister
The current Botafumeiro… yes, the actual one they use. On display in the museum during renovations
Into the Parador
(Hostal dos Reis Católicos)
Aperitifs
The restaurant (thanks Google)
Galician soup
Roasted lamb shoulder
Cañitas rellenas de crema de castañas (chestnut creme fingers)
Our wine
The Cathedral at night… the Square was disappointingly quiet. I suspect due to the protest
On the way home…
That 🤬🤬🤬 hill again!
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Lyn & Gary

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