Friday 27 September 2013

The End...


Hi All

Well its over, my last day on the Camino. Problems with Accommodation and under capacity. Tons of school groups doing the shorter Sarria to Santiago sections meant that we tried for over 1 hour, but we were unable to get a bed in Arca O Pedrouzo. This left us only one option… Push on... 

It was a hairy walk to Amenal on a narrow path beside main road. We stopped for Coffee near Labacolla airport. Heads down at 16km into Santiago via Monte de Gozo San Lazare.

Finally Cathedral view at 3am. 

WIND AND HEAVY RAIN greeted us but lots of people arriving in, there was a  great atmosphere! To arrive under these circumstances, considering the heat, hills and downhills, that we endured while walking the Camino, truly made it feel like a pilgrimage. 

I talked and nodded off until cafes opened at 06:00. 

THANKS TO YOU ALL for your messages of love and support. It was rough it was tough but what a journey!  825km in 29 days!!!! SORE FEET BLISTERS AND DODGY TOES. NO PHOTOS! 

SEE YOU ALL REAL SOON! 

BUEN CAMINO 

XX GER

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Day 30: Palas de Rei to the outskirts of Santiago de Compestella

Hi All 

Thank you again to all who are following me and sendin on their best wishes.

I really had a tough day yesterday. Now the path to Santiago de Compastella is becomming more and more populated the closer I get. These are the people who are doing the Camino in a week or so. As so many more people are now joining the camino since we passed Sarria. 

I left my hostal this morning  at around 8am with large crowds, even horses with us!! 

Lots of climbs and valleys. Through Casanova over Coto at 515m. I crossed the Furelos river to Melide for my 1st coffee of the day. Then Boente Ribadiso Arzua. Climb Alto de Santa Irene at 405m then into Arca, where the hostel was full, no beds. Nothing else for it but to have dinner, dressed my feet and decided to walk on into outskirts of Santiago. To I coverd a total of 55KM and I have to say I'm shattered! 

Nearly there and looking forward to a bed. 

Buen Camino 


Ger

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Wednesday 25 September 2013

Day 29: Ferrerios to Palas de Rei and Ronan leaves!!



Hi All. 

We left Ferrerios which is at an altitude of 650m at 7:00 this morning. 

Over Alto Paramo and steep downhill at Portomarin crossing river Mino at 350m. 

Ronan left us here in Portomarin after 5 tough days and got bus to Santiago, then on to to Oporto Airport to fly home. 

All the group really enjoyed his company on the Camino. We then decided then to tackle a 27km hike over Sierra Ligonde at 720m to end day at Palas de Rei. 65Km left out of 825km. HOPING TO HIT Santiago in 2 more days. 

It rained today thank god temp dropped but flies were vicious! A few more bites for my collection! Hoping to do 40km tomorrow! Hope everyone is still spreading the word on jack kavanagh on www.mycharity.ie! 

Nearly home ! 


Xx Ger

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Day 28: Villafranca to Tricastekla

Hi All,

Apologies forgot to send message last night. ALZHEIMERS! 

Anyways today was rough, we ended up doing 43km (that wasn't a typo!!) Thank god it was cloudy for most of today. The navigator took a wrong turn and ended up on the "scenic route" not intrended!

Adding almost 10km to our intended target! 

Ronan was in pain and struggling Ed strapped his ankle. Rough day left 

We left Tricastekla at 6:30 and unfortunately ended up on the road to Samos Monastery. We fought hard for the first 2 to 3 hours struggling tough this difficult terrai, before we made brekkie in Samos. 

We travelled on downhill now into and long walk into Sarria. Lunch and then a further 14 km in more tough terrain as far as Ferrerios small mountain village. 

We are so happy to be here, we are absolutly shattered! 

We are getting so close now, and expect to hit  Santigo by  Saturday! 3 to 4 more days, I delighted to have been so fortunate as to have been able to make it this far! We passed 100km marker to Santigo this evening! 

GOOD NIGHT! 

GER


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Monday 23 September 2013

Day 26: Villafranca to Vega de Valcarce

Hi again to everybody following our progress,

I had to plan for wifi for the Big Game! Here with 2 mad Mayo men!

We left Villafranca and decided to go base of O'Cebreiro on Monday morning. In Villafranca we stayed in the a really beautiful hostel, the breakfast we great too. On the road at 7 30am this morning. A much later start than the norm, we had ourselves a lie in.

1st stop for more Brekkie in Pereje. Cafe con leche! Getting hot yesterday was 33c! We got through the early mountain stages parallel to road. Climbed to Trabadelo La Portela de Valcarce, then Vega de Valcarce. Then Ruitelan arrived into hostel Albergue Pequeno Potala nice beds and communal meal at 7pm. half time Mayo by 1 point !

The temperature here at the momentis a cool 30c and we are at an altitude of 700m after walking a distance of 23km for football!!
.
Heading to O'Cebreiro at 1300m. So early start tomorrow no matter who wins in Croke Park!

MID WEST RADIO ARE THE BEST!

Buen Camino,

Ger

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Saturday 21 September 2013

Day 25: Ronan's first - Pontferrada to Villafranca


Hi all,

This morning we started out as usual, Ronan did great. The day started out a little warmer than before, with the temperature rising quicker than I expected, getiing hot here in the end. I think I may need to start defining what hot it is. Since being here, I'm sure I acclimatinzing without even knowing it.  We left Ponferrada heading towards the town of Compostilla then onto Columbrianos for coffee and tortillia. From there we then made our way on towards Fuentes Neuvas, Camponaraya and Cacabelos Pieros on the banks of the River Rio Cua for a cold cola. 

Ronan was doing great. These beautiful sleepy villages with their own vineyards, provided me again with a little sustanance, the sweetness of the grapes was a great release. Some grapes led to more as we went along the tracks. This is a lovely hilly region of the Camino. The people here are very nice and welcoming. 

As Ronan walked he spent a good amount of time chatting and got to know all the lads as we walked. Today we coverd 28km over 7 hours. Its very hot here now as we are sitting in Plaza Ayuntamiento, in Vega de Valcare. This evening we had a nice 3 course pilgrim meal for €9 with wine!

Check out the town of Vega de Valcare, compliments of Google

We will be heading of to bed at about 9pm. Tomorrow we have a big climb ahead of us up towards O'Cebreiro. If all goes well tomorrow we'll be in Herrerias for the big game. Dublin v Mayo, with two mad Mayo men, we'll have a good bit of banter and slagging, before the game is over! 

UP THE DUBS! 

BUEN CAMINO 

GER

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Friday 20 September 2013

Day 24: Foncebadon to Pontferrada and Ronan!!

Hi to everybody,

My departure from Foncebadon this morning was the usual, up early and out the door. My first goal was to reach La Cruz de Ferro at 1550m. This really was a serious climb. I got to stop for brekkie at Manjarin, where breakfast consisted of a serious roll and cafe con leche.

Then there was the descent, some people see the descents as the profit from the earlier climb and I would have thought the same, but the descents are very tough on my legs. As much and all as I give out about the climbs, I'd take them over descents any day. Oh this was one serious descent into Acebo. I rested here for a bit and had time to just stop and reflect. My daily routine, what it has now become, and has been my norm. As I became more and more capable of physically, just pushing on. As each day comes to close, I continually get closer to my goal for Jack. Everything that I have been able to acheive, the support from home has been of monumental encouragement to me. The distance I have walked still overwhelms me, but I'm not finished yet.

Today, I have a spring in my step, because I will be meeting Ronan later on today. The plan is for him to be in Pontferrada by the time I get there, I have been looking forward to this for so long.

From Acebo it was then on to the town of Riego de Ambros, then into Molinseca. Another break here for a coke and an icecream. From Molinseca, it was a long walk in hot weather into Ponferrada. Where I eventually found the hostel and Ronan.


Check out the town where I met my son, Pontferrada, compliments of Google

My Prodigal son has arrived and we are here having a beer together!

HAPPY DAYS BUT THIS WAS A TOUGH DAY! 27km but adjusted is 29km coverred in a time of 7 hours. Tomorrow I'll be walking with my son, happy days!

SPECIAL HELLO TO JACK KAVANAGH THINKING OF YOU TODAY !

XX GER

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