12 – 15 September 2024
Day 5 – Pontevedra to Caldas dos Reis – 26 kms
This was a short day but busier on the trail with lots of walkers. With rocks, tree roots and the walkers to negotiate it was testing but beautiful riding.
Our first surprise was a snack stop in the forest at a waterfall.
Next stop was at a small hot spring pool in the town of Caldas dos Reis.
Then it was time for a special tapas lunch in town with our group. Lots of local food, lots of wine and lots of laughs.
Then after a short ride out of town (mostly uphill of course), we arrived at our very special accomodation Torre do Rio. A spectacular house perched on a hill between 2 streams, one stream fed directly into the pool!
Day 6 – Caldas dos Reis to Santiago de Compostela – 46 kms
Our final day saw us riding through vineyards, forests and some roads. Lots of walkers all glad to be nearing their final destination, the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. We had 2 stops, coffee and then a stop at the Santiago church in Padron. Under the altar there is a large stone that legend says the boat carrying the body of St James was tied to on its journey to Santiago de Compostela.
We were getting close now so stopped to add a stone to the last marker.
Not long after we finished in the square in front of the cathedral at 1400.
A few photos and then we were off to get proof of our adventure, our certificates. At the start of our ride we were given passports that are stamped at places along the way. These are checked before the certificate is issued.
After eventually finding our hotel, we showered and went for a guided walk and then to the Pilgrims Museum which we enjoyed.
Friends Mary Beth and Rich had invited us to join them at the Pilgrims Mass that evening before dinner. We were very privileged to share their reserved front row seats.
The mass is in Latin so hard to follow however the highlight was the Botafumeiro.
The Botafumeiro (“censer”) is one of the most famous and popular symbols of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It hangs by means of a system of pulleys from the main dome of the Cathedral and swings toward the side naves where we were seated. It takes eight men to move it, who are known as “tiraboleiros”.
It weighs 53 kg and measures 1.50 metres; it hangs from a height of 20 metres and can reach speeds of over 65 km/hr.
We finished our day with an excellent final dinner with our group.
Sergio surprised us with a video he had compiled over the week. Warning: it is about 30 minutes long!
We can certainly recommend Top Bike Tours Portugal if you would like to ride the Camino or one of their other tours!
https://topbiketoursportugal.com/
Our final day in Santiago de Compostela was spent doing laundry so we are ready for the next adventure and watching the mighty Lions come back from 44 points down to win their semi-final against GWS!