Today we arrived in Santiago at 11 am after walking our final stage of the "Way" from Lavacolla at an early hour this morning. Laura and Noel joined us this morning for the final 10 kilometers in the pouring rain! 

The husband traveled by bus with not a single word of Spanish and duly arrived at the Cathedral in time to capture our arrival moment on camera.

The only thing that dampened our spirit was to receive the news of the passing of a close friend after a long illness, Mary D RIP. 
We know Mary would have been very proud of us and to know of our pilgrimage was ending as she entered heaven.

Full details of our journey with pictures to follow.

So the journey begins......

Well we are on our to Santiago in preparation for starting walking tomorrow. The excitement levels are high at the minute!! We are waiting to board our flight in Dublin Airport which so far is all on time!

Countdown is definitely on!

Well the countdown is really on now!! So I'm the third member of our walking group and I am excited about the adventure but also think I should of listened properly before I agreed!!! Most people will guess that when we first mentioned completing "the way" I only registered it being in Spain and Spain = sun... As time has gone on and more research done I've realised the weather isn't going to be much different to the UK but I'm still hoping I might see some sun! My travels have now begun and I am having a weekend in Derry before we officially set off on Tuesday! Bring on the 75miles in 5 days :-)

the final countdown!

No longer counting weeks, it's days now! I am back on the walking trail mainly on the fairly smooth level ground. My bag is packed and the final checklist is being completed. The knee is improving but I wont be running up or down hills or  steps any time soon. I have however taken advice on trekking poles from the very experienced walkers on the Camino forum and have decided to invest in a pair of poles in an attempt to take some pressure off my knees when going up and down hill on the "Way". I just hope and can get them through airport security! If I get them out to Spain and back the husband and I will have a walking stick each when we need one.

So here are some pictures from where I have walked during the latter half of this past week.

Derry Peace Bridge at night

The City Walls

TheAtlantic Drive- looking towards Fanad and Malin Head

 Malin Head (Cionn Mhálanna) is the most Northerly point of Ireland as is located at the northern tip of the Inishowen peninsula in Southern Ireland! -the Republic of Ireland. For those of you who prefer to travel by car there is a beautiful drive known as the Inishowen 100. This circular route of 100 miles goes around the Inishowen peninsula and takes in mountains , lakes , coast, cliffs ,beaches and a host of other magnificient sites of great beauty and some fascinating historical sites.

Voted one of Ireland's Top 10 Scenic Drives in the Irish Independent 2010

It is hard to pick a favourite spot on the route out of so many but the walk from Shroove to the port-a-doris- the port of the door is a definite contender. This walk along the coast leads to a hole in the rocks that opens out into a lovely cove with very high sides and some amazing rock formations and  complete with a "wishing well" to get your wishes granted. Close by is the big white bay overlooked by Shroove lighthouse which is a European Blue Flag beach.
On a day with good visibility you can see the Western Isles of Scotland from this beach (Islay and Jura)

The Magnificient bell at the church of St John the Baptist Carrigart

Rosguill is a designated Gaeltacht region

dodging the cars on this stretch!

My Shoes following the shells on Strand Road Derry

I did attempt a walk on Sunday but have to confess the gale force winds and driving rain got the better of me and I phoned to get collected and driven home. I came across this quote later on in the evening and enjoyed the sentiment of it although I am not sure what you would have needed to wear as it was the type of day that would definitely would have been best spent beside the fire.

Alfred Wainwright (1907 – 1991)

British hill walker and author of guidebooks on the fells of the English Lake District and coast-to-coast walks

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing."

Another blue sky day!

I can hardly believe that the northwest corner of Ireland has been bathed in sunshine for another weekend albeit a bit cool for the month of May. My injured knee has seriously limited my activities over the past few days. My usual long beach walk was replaced by a leisurely drive over to Ards monastery for a short walk and lengthy sit in this most beautiful location looking out over the sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Sheephaven bay.
There are lovely scenic walks around the area with many beaches and links into the Ards forest park.

www.ardsfriary.ie

When we arrived the tide was very far out and it looked as if you could almost step over to the long beach of Tra mor almost 4 miles in length and extending as far as the village of Downings (Na Dunaibh) but this is a very dangerous stretch of water with strong currents. By the time we had completed the walk and taken a rest overlooking the water the tide was already filling in very quickly. We reluctantly departed from our seat to drive back for some dinner and unusually for me we didn't stop for coffee and homebakes at the lovely coffee shop.

Feeling a bit worried again now that I hear how much training my fellow walkers are doing as they were much fitter than me to start with. However the morning rain has finally stopped and the sun is shining so I am off to walk!

Octopus for sale!

I forgot to mention that my shells were there last week in Amsterdam in the bathroom of our B & B in Landsmeer and surprisingly there were fossilised shells embedded in the stone work on the pavements in Amsterdam just like here in Derry! and what else did I see there? yes my friend the "pulpo" needless to say I did not try it out but opted for a delicious Dutch pancake instead.

Time out in Spanish Point
We headed for the peace & beauty of the sea in Spanish Point.  It was very windy when we arrived but on with the hats & coats & off we headed in the name of preparation for the Camino.  We avoided the cliffs as it was a bit too windy so we kept to the by-roads we did our usual scenic route & back to the mobile.
Sunday we did a mother & father of a walk which took us 3 hours from sea scenes to country & village.  Ended up in Miltown Malbay where we bought the paper the steaks & spuds plus a treat for dessert ..then back with weary legs to the mobile to cook & relax for the evening.  That evening we drove over to Dunbeg walked the surfers walk to the beach via the Golf Course to be met with a howling wind which blew us to the edge of the sea & quickly back to the car ..no walk ....legs too tired & wind too strong.

Mon I decided to go to the gym to really tone up for the WAYINMAY..30 mins on the treatmill is more than one could bear after all the lovely walks in Spanihs point etc....gyms are boring ...the swim in the pool after is the nicest bit.   I did a half hour walk at lunch time down town Nenagh.  My friend Judy rings at 3 to ask me to play tennis at 6...poor Judy was really stuck when she asked me ...because anyone that knows me can tell you I am useless when it comes to anykind of sport ....hence that's why I walk...its easier on everyone.   Well I turned up & hit a few balls.
I wished my work collegue Patricia all the best as she was heading off the next day to Santiago to begin her walk she said she would keep me posted.

Nothing done Tues only the lunch time walk with Sharon around the bi-pass in Nenagh ...we use this hour as our catch up time on chat & letting off steam after a hard monings work in the office.  I must say since this walking routine to get into shape for the Camino Sharon has got super fit I find I am trying to catch up to her now ...well done Sharon ...perhaps you will consider doing the Camino some time....Thanks also for the company ...your a star.
Text from Patricia she had arrived safe & weather was Irish style no need for the sunscreen but the walk had begun & she was enjoying it.

Wed Sharon & myself got out again for another bi-pass walk I think your enjoying this Sharon ...what will we so when the Camino is over? ...I think we will still walk we might go back & do another bit next year ...what do you think Trudy? Wed evening I collected Liam in Dolla at our local GAA field where he had been training under 6's & 8's ...poor Liam ( he really loves it but he won't admit it) I had the two dogs in the boot of his car ( as I didn't want to dirty my car ha ha ) & we all headed to the Silvermine hills again for a good climb & this time I took the bag on my back ..mind you it wasn't full just a few things in it...I managed ..surprised myself.  Our dogs are really enjoying all this prep for the Camino...it's good some one is enjoying it all.
Another good report from Patricia the walk was going well.

Thursday I paid a visit to the gym again ....very boring but sure I get a few kilometres in better then nothing I suppose.   Sharon & myself took off again around the bi-pass...it must be lovely for the people in Seaside places to have the sea to walk along.
Today was my twins birthday so I invited all the family including my new beautiful Grandaughter to dinner we had the dinner followed by the cake it was a lovely evening & Ciara made it special.

Took a break from the walking on Friday to get ready for Ciara's Christening on sat.  Cakes to be made Christening robe to be ironed ( my dear Mam made it by hand 61 years ago for my brother, it has been used by all the family & is a very beautiful & precious garment).
What a wonderful day we all had on Saturday as the Doyle & Keogh families all got together to Christen our beautiful Ciara.  William our oldest son & Conor's Mam both stood for her it was a wonderful occasion with all our family & friends.  Father Bredan our Parish Priest made it all very special as he always does.   He told us he had a funeal a wedding & now a Christening all in the one day...he is a busy man but takes it all in his stride & makes timer for everyone...we are very lucky to have him.

No walking Fri & no walking Saturday ....Sunday I just have to do someithing...my friends daughter Hazel is doing the 10k Limerick Fun walk & as I promised her I would be there to send her off ... into Limerick Liam & myself we had to go to wish her all the best .....we couldn't stay as our 3 sons were in a cup soccer final back home.   Now soccer not high on my list of sport favouites ..but when your 3 sons get into a final its time to take an interest.   We arrived late but not too late along with our daughter Marie husband Conor & new baby Ciara ( her first soccer match but not her first match because at only 6 weeks old she has been to many hurling matches all over north Tipp to support her Dad & five Uncles who all play the game...sure with the surname Doyle she won't be able to miss out on being a hurler or as they call the female game camogie player when she grows up )...anyway the three girlfriends were able to tell us that the boys were a goal up when we arrived but by half time the other team had gotten a penalty with only 5 mins to go our hero David got the winning goal & the rest is history....they're out now celebrating ...what a great weekend of celebrating both the Christening & the Cup.....now what about the walking ...well we managed to get a good hill walk dogs & all up in the Silvermine mountains again...we don't have the sea but we have beautiful hill walks.

I am only hoping that my friend Trudy is ok & that her knee is going to be alright...Trudy I am behind you all the way ....by hook or by crook Linda & myself will get you along the Camino way in May.

Tomorrow is our Parish Fun day  we start at 1.30 with a 10k cycle so watch this space ....cycling may become the new walking....

Murphy's Law!

For anyone following us Murphy's Law relates to those type of occasions when anything that possibly can go wrong does go wrong!


It all started last weekend, we had a lovely weekend beach walking, swimming pool as we are still having the best weather in the UK. When I say best I don't necessarily mean brilliant but it is marginally better than southern and eastern regions are getting at the moment. Then on sunday the grandson was in an inexplicable grumpy mood which we later discovered was a result of some kind of bug that had him up vomiting much of the night.


We were heading to the airport early monday and almost managed to miss the bus. Most unusually for us, we had baggage booked into the hold. We found it rather nice not having to drag our cases round the terminal, up the plane steps and into the overhead lockers and what luxury-allocated seats so none of that trying to get sufficiently near the front of the queue to ensure a window seat with a view or at the very least get seated beside each other! We usually travel cheap and cheerful with Ryanair or EasyJet and are master packers and can board the plane and get the luggage into the overhead locker faster that you can say "cheap airlines" So our flight on Monday was somewhat of a novelty, travelling with a regular airline.

Having landed safely at Schiphol after flying in over the magnificient swathes of colours in the Dutch bulb fields we found our way to the baggage tracks to collect our cases. I had the bright idea that I would go on out to the arrivals hall and collect our train tickets and top up our chipcards. Seemed like a very sensible plan at the time! Off I went got the tickets and waited and waited and ...........waited and worried. After about 45 minutes my phone rang (fortunately I had turned it on as I had no reason to suspect anyone might be phoning me). One very concerned husband on the line tells me one of the cases has not appeared on the baggage track. So there I am outside with no passport or proof I had just flown in and there he is on the inside being asked to fill in a pile of forms (he hates form filling with a passion) and I was not allowed back in. Almost 2 hours after landing we had to leave the airport minus one case, my case! all our toiletries, cameras and much of our medications. I had the clothes I was wearing and it was Queensday  in Holland and almost all the shops were closed.


Anyway we weren't for allowing a lost case to spoil our trip so off we went to enjoy the  Keukenhof spring flower show the following day after buying some essentials to keep us going. Later that evening our missing case magically arrived at our temporary home in Landsmeer and all was well again.


I had heard on previous trips to Holland about the "hidden" churches that can be found in Amsterdam in particular one known as de Papegaai (Parrot). This church is almost impossible to spot on Kalverstraat, one of the busiest shopping streets in the city. Its wooden doorway is easily missed and on my last visit I couldn't find it. This time I found it, and realised that a possble reason I missed it previously was that it is directly facing one of my favourite Dutch chain shops-Blokker so I may have been somewhat distracted. I expected to find a tiny church behind the doors instead it was a magnificient church almost cathedral size with lovely mosaics and stained glass windows. It was a lovely quiet few moments and is worth a visit if you are in Amsterdam.The name De Papegaai originates from the church having been built in the grouds of a bird merchant. The Parrot can be seen on the exterior stone facade.

Main Altar- De Papegaai-St Peter and Pauls church Amsterdam

15 minutes for God

 

 

Mosaic at De Papegaai entrance

Later on after strolling through the famous Albert Cuyp Streetmarket we left the city and took a short journey to the small town of Muiden just a few miles east of Amsterdam home of the famous Muiderslot castle.

Pampus fort island

One can almost picture Rapunzel climbing down from the tower!






From Muiden you can take a ferry across to Pampus island a Unesco world heritage site that is currently being restored by volunteers. This island is part of the wartime defences for the city of Amsterdam. It reminded me very much of Alcatraz and the boat journey out to the island was really pleasant in the warm sunshine. Unfortunately it was here that our next mishap occured when I had a really nasty fall while looking around at things instead of looking where I was going.
So since I arrived home I have had to visit the hospital, fortunately nothing broken but some serious knee damage and only 2 weeks till I start my Camino!

Progress report

I got that walk in on 20th April in Killarney after a night of laughter in the Glen Eagle at Gift Grub.  I started out at 9am lucky to have brought my rain coat with me as it was so nice when I was leaving I was nearly tempted to forget about a coat but was I glad I had it as I passed along the forest walk in The National Park in Killarney  the skies opened & not only did it rain the hail stones that fell were unreal.   I passed a poor american tourist  out walking with just a track suit on her & God love her all she could say to me was "nice coat" as she was wet through & through I answered her by saying welcome to Ireland she laughed & passed on I decided to speed up & jogged my way back to the hotel in order to get a quick shower before I went for a nice Irish Breakfast with my friend Deirdre who was sensible enough to stay indoors.

Sunday 22nd April myself & my Friend Ann took to the hills in Bodyke Co Clare ...a good 2 hour long forest walk which took in many a steep hill but this time we were lucky to stay dry....Anyone coming to Ireland be sure & bring your waterproof shoes & a good rain coat ha ha because it sure rains here.

Back to work on Monday & my usual walk at lunch time around the by-pass Liam decided to join me which was nice as my usual friend Sharon was trying to work a bit of time.
Monday evening I got an invitation from another work collegue to join her on a walk in Castlelough Portroe with spectacular views of Lough Derg.  Patricia is going with the Nenagh walkers to do the Camino the1st May so she gave me great tips & advice.  She had her bag on her back as we walked along together which was something I hadn't thought of so Trudy & Linda get the bags on !!!I still have to pack mine...ha ha anyway it was a really nice walk & one I had never done before.   I am finding that all this walking is really becoming part of my everyday life & I am really enjoying it as I go along & discover new territory every day...thnaks Patricia & thanks for the advice & books you have given me ...safe journey & I am looking forward to hearing all about your trip when you get back.

After our nice long walk on Monday evening I had my choir practice & would you believe the song we are practicing for up coming concert in Kilaloe is called Harmony & Diction & the Altos part which I am involved in sing " she sells sea shells on the sea shore"..what do you think of that Trudy? another sign...

Tuesday evening myself & Liam took to the Silvermine mountains again to join the Nenagh Walking club to do the Silvermine Ridge ...now this was a tester a right good hill walk with loads of challenges...sometimes wet under foot but what views we could see as far as Limerick on one side & across to the Galtees on the other & a near view of Keeper Hill.  Beneath us we could see all the old mines & quarries that have been left behind from hundreds of years of mining lead and zinc in the area.  It was nearly dark when we arrived back down & were really lucky to avoid the terrible rain that fell on our way back home in the car. 

Wednesday I was back on the by-pass walking & talking with my friend Sharon.  On a lighter note I took to the hills to the hall in Kilcommon with my ICA lady friends for a Federation Meeting & took part in a competition for an Easter Bunny...yes I know Easter is over but the Bunnies were all out Wednesday night in Kilcommon.   We had a good laugh as I modeled our entry & now I am now known as the 'Funny Bunny'.  I hope I am still laughing in 4 weeks time when I am struggling along the roads in Spain on route to Santiago de Compostela.