The camino

The weather was not great today so, rather than risk being caught in a downpour on a 9 hour round trip to Finisterre, I decided to hike part of the camino that heads in that direction. It’s a 90km hike from Santiago, which people usually do over 3 or 4 days. I tackled the first 7km, then returned on the same path when the clouds started to darken, and just made it back to the city as the skies opened and I got thoroughly soaked. It was worth it though, what a gorgeous path. Winding through back lanes, past small villages, over streams and through forests, this part of the camino is lovely. It is a very peaceful thing to wander about like this and I think I would enjoy doing the full 700km hike in warmer weather, as you’d only need a change of clothes and it would be better if they could dry overnight. This part of Spain has quite high rainfall; at least 13 days per month at this time of year, and the forecast looks wet wet wet for the next 10 days. Not much fun for the few hikers I saw on the path today in their plastic ponchos. Luckily there are plenty of pintxos bars here in Santiago, so if it’s wet you can pop yourself down for some good food, good wine, and good company. Tomorrow evening I’m flying to Bilbao for a few days before heading to San Sebastian and some more beach time. It’ll be nice to explore that part of northern Spain and I have to admit I’m looking forward to being warm again 🙂