following the shells: Day 6 driving - Santiago to Muxia and Finisterre

We decided to hire a 9 seater minivan on our last day so we could spend a day visiting Muxia and Finisterre. My youngest was very happy to drive us around for the day and after the initial challenge of collecting the car from the railway station and negotiating exiting the city we set off westwards. The weather was perfect, dry and sunny, not hot but warm enough. we had a short snack stop just outside Negreira where once again we received superb hospitality from the local people. Without exception this was the case everywhere we went and made our visit to this region of Spain very memorable.
We arrived safely in the lovely town of Muxia and parked out by the Church of "Our Lady of the stone boat" .We had heard about the fire on Christmas day and it was sad to see the interior of the church so badly damaged. This church held a very special place in our hearts as it was a church for the seafaring community and had many boats displayed inside.
Despite the damage to the church this is still a very special place and I think we were all agreed that this was the completion of our camino journey. I know I am so fortunate to have shared this journey with all my adult children, 2 partners and my very close friend.
For those that weren't able to travel with us and for some close friends with health problems we carried them symbolically by bringing quartz pebbles from Donegal all the way along our walk and finally left them at the sea in Muxia. A very special moment for everyone.
While there we spent some quiet time on the rocks and some of us did the required 9 times under the pedra dos cadris in the hope of obtaining a relief from back problems.
Finally a few of us ventured up the hill of monte corpino to admire the views of the surrounding coast.

under pedra dos cadris

eighth time under!

relaxing on the rocks

ninth and final time

taking our pebbles to the sea for those who weren't able to be there or with special intentions

the lighthouse

church of "Our Lady of the stone boat"

contemplation

contemplation below the pedra de abalar

special moments

silent thoughts

view over Muxia town from Monte Corpino

Prestige oil disaster monument

back down from the viewpoint

Muxia mile marker

mile marker and prestige monument

So with our camino now completed we set of once again to visit Finisterre believed at one stage to be the "end of the earth". On our way through the town we visited a small supermercado to get the goodies for the picnic before drive the last couple of kilometres to cabo Fisterra. By now the sun had come out quite nicely and the picnic proved to be an excellent call. Lovely fresh rolls with cheese and ham rounded of with chocolate and crisps. Following the picnic we walked over to the headland to see the charred remains of pilgrim shoes and clothes and the youngest decided ,in true pilgrim style that he would burn his hat and jacket and the temporary walking pole was also added to the fire.

the picnic