2015-10-22: Caminando Muxía - Cabo Finisterre (Fisterra) (32/522 km)

I had never walked between Finisterre and Mixía and had wanted to do that. I failed two years ago due to very bad weather coming in. But now...
I was early at the bus station since I was a bit uncertain about the time. But the bus came and left with me in it at 8:50.
In Muxía I left the other pilgrims who first should go out and visit Virgen de la Barca, out at the point with all the special stones that are supposed to be the remainders of the stone boat that controlled by the Virgin brought Santiagos body to Spain.
I took a hamburger at a bar and started to walk. I knew the beginning since two years earlier. I passed two young men .One of them had the same backpack as I. He proved to be from Finland. Photos were taken. With good speed I passed the beach where I had been swimming at my previous visit. But not now.



Up in the hills. Up, up and up! The top was at some 370 m. On the way down after almost 7 km there was a good view towards the sea. New photos were taken.











Gradually I approached Lires where that was a much feared ford over a river. But --- not now they had built a stone bridge for the camino. The old fording stones could still be seen however. And yes - it was difficult. An then I was in Lires. My first plan had been to stay there and sleep. But the walk had gone fast and it was too early. So after something to drink I continued. Now the sea could be seen at may places and the coast is beautiful. Costa del Morte (The coast of Death). Today it was the coast of life. I met not a few pilgrims walking in the opposite direction.
After a number of kilometers I started to descend towards Finisterre. I marched through the small city that I love. But what changes there had been! New private albergues everywhere. Not the only one that it had been 8 years ago. And a lot of pilgrims walking around.
I decided that there was time to walk out to the Cabo. And in spite of stopping when a couple told me not to bring my backpack - there is no albergue out there - I continued with my backpack on. The road and especially the footpath goes along an often very steep slope with no safety rail. Thrilling indeed! I reached the end of the road when passed the lighthouse (Faro de Finisterre). And here it was - the end of the Camino. The place of my dreams, where some people burn their boots and with an absolutely fantastic view of the sea. Today the sea was calm and the sun was beginning to set.



But I was in a hurry to get back. So I started to return with very quick steps when a car with two girls stopped and offer this old man with a backpack a lift into town. I declared them the angels of the day. In town I had some difficulty in finding the main bus stop. But eventually I found it and recognized the site from 2007. And the bus should not leave until three quarter of an hour later. Time for "un refresco and una cerveza"!

The bus came. We wet on board and then I discovered that I had ended up at a round trip to all the small cities around this part of the coast. A fine good last view of Cabo de Finisterre. In Santiago just after ten. At the hostel a hungry me ate the two tuna cans that I had carried in my backpack for this part of the camino. What a day!