Two New Hampshire girls hike the 500-mile Camino de Santiago to raise money for women around the world.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Day Forty-Five: Maronas to Cee. April 26, 2013

Distance: 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with around 200 meters (650-ish feet) of elevation gain.

Morning, while the girls sleep -

Two more days of hiking. I'm ready to be done now, though for me, the Camino won't feel over 'till I've seen the sun sink into the Atlantic.

I'm going to make some changes when I get home. There is so much in our house we don't want or need - time to simplify. Also, loose ends abound - time to tie them up. The Camino has shown me exactly what I do and do not want in my life, and I plan to react accordingly once we return to New Hampshire.

Later, after having arrived in Cee -

What a perfect hiking day! Overcast skies, stiff and cold wind, very light rain - this was exactly what we needed; all three of us feel our best in such weather, it keeps us cool and motivates us to move quickly. The girls practically ran the entire 33 kilometers. We left Casa Pepa at 8:15 and arrived in Cee at 3pm...that's a pace of 3 miles an hour...Alex and Sage stayed ahead of me the whole day and at times it was difficult for me to keep up.

The scenery was GORGEOUS! The stretch between Olveiroa and Cee was one of my favorite parts of our entire Camino.





Cows!

By the way, there's a nice bar/restaurant in Olveiroa called Loncho.  It has excellent prices and there's a convenience store inside...and it's attached to a nice-looking two-star Pension.

We left Olveiroa and found it hard to believe we were only 18 miles from the end of the earth!

When you get to Hospital, there is one last bar before you reach the split between Finisterre and Muxia...if you need anything before you walk another long stretch, get it here.

Once you reach the split, you'll go left for Finisterre, and right for Muxia.



After walking walking walking, you might see...is that...ocean..?






Yes, it is!

Cee is a good-sized ocean-front town. Doesn't feel much like a pilgrim stop...more like a Spanish vacation area.


Decided I wanted to grab a hotel - guess we are now finished with the albergues on this trip, and I have both good and bad feelings about that -- so we are now happily lounging at Hotel La Marina. We have a huge, clean triple for fifty Euros. The folks at the reception area are kind and straightforward. No restaurant on the premises but there's a fantastic place to eat just across the street. Can't remember the name but the receptionist will tell you about it...literally across the street and under an overhang. That restaurant has great food, cheap prices, and fantastic service.

We are excited to be near the end of our journey. I am thankful the girls have done so well and enjoyed this trip so much. I've had the time of my life, though I think the big toe on my right foot has paid the price. Once upon a time, both my toes pointed straight ahead...now, after 530 Camino miles, the big toe on my right foot points outward. Methinks I now have a bunion...hopefully, it won't require surgery.



The girls are grossed out and worried about my deformed toe, but I can't help laughing when I look at it. The thing is so silly-looking, pointing starboard. I probably won't laugh if/when medical attention is required, but for right now, I'll choose to see the humor.

We will be at the end of the earth tomorrow!!

Misc. notes - We met a friendly German man just outside of Cee today - he recognized us from this blog. I was tired and out of it and may have come across as dazed at first (I WAS dazed, actually...fatigue!). I hope you made it to Finisterre today, kind German fellow (if you are reading this). I hope I didn't come across as less than amiable when we met. I was so tired...and barely coherent...much as I am now. It was a pleasure to meet you.

The girls were so fast today! I'm thinking they both might be ready for a single-day Bonds traverse when we get home. Maybe even a Presi Traverse...we'll see.

Wow, I AM exhausted. This was our longest day yet and every part of my body is trying to shut down as I type. Have no idea whether or not I'm making sense. Must get to sleep. More tomorrow, after a good night's rest and a short day's walk to Finisterre, the end of the world.

Trish
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Bravo girls. You guys rock!!!!". I have enjoyed your posts so much. Can't wait for the "director's cut" when you get back home. One more day!!!!!

Ildefonso said...

Well done girls!. By the time I´m writing this, you may been watching the waves beating the clift at Finisterre. Today is beginning your new Camino. I´m both happy and jealous on you. Keep on touch with us.
BUEN CAMINO!!!

Susan Schneider said...

Bravo! From Indianapolis, IN. We did a smaller portion of the Camino September 2012. Loved it so much we are walking a larger portion in 2014.

An extraordinary young man of 12 will be walking with us and his name is Avi. Can you provide some words of wisdom from two extraordinary young ladies who have walked the entire Way?

My word is Hikegoo.....

CONGRATULATIONS!

Susan and Doug Forrest

Patricia Ellis Herr, Alexandra Herr, and Sage Herr said...

Juan and Ildefonso -- thank you!

Susan and Doug, thanks for your comment and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you.

To Avi -- congratulations! You are going to love the Camino! Here are some "words of wisdom" from the girls:

Alex says, "Learn as much Spanish as you can before you go. Learn how to get around and how to say 'please' and 'thank you.' Also, walk 5 miles a day...start with two days a week and then build up to every day closer to the time you leave. Carry what you're going to carry on the Camino while you're training so you can get used to the weight. You don't have to walk a specific kind of trail since there are paved roads and dirt paths on the Camino...actually, getting used to both would be helpful."

Sage says, "If you ever get tired, think about how you're going to feel at the end and how proud you're going to be when you finish your big adventure. Enjoy the menu del peregrino -- that's a three course meal and it's very nice and it's only ten Euros for each person. When you're picking dessert, however, don't eat the flan. It tastes like styrofoam cake."

Hope this helps!!
Trish