Day 17 Santiago to Ourence

Monte do Gozo to Santiago de Compestela

5.39 (total 561.36)

No rush to get up this morning so we let all the other pilgrims get up first and finally got up at 7:30. After getting up we pack our bags again and go down to the onsite cafeteria for a breakfast. Monte do Gozo compares well with Morecombe and Butlins all rolled into one. It’s row after row of accommodation blocks most of which are stood empty. There are some school trips in at the bottom of the site and the aubergue at the top. The cafe is in the middle and it’s empty.

Renfe leave trains anywhaer

After breakfast it’s really a matter of passing time until we catch the train to Ourence. We go back down to the cathedral and the square. Chris and I go into the cathedral for the later part of the midday pilgrims mass and see the spectacle of the censor being swung up to the ceiling. Inside the cathedral, it’s like being in Briggate on Christmas Eve as people mill around despite the mass taking place. The service itself is impressive with priests being fully robed, another very mellow organ playing and another nun with a wonderful singing voice. In the square I am fascinated watching all the comings and goings. Quite large parties arrive singing having walked who knows how far. Smaller groups huddle together. Individuals hug and greet others who they have me on the road. This includes us as we recognise other cyclists whom we have met over the past two weeks. I muse on the cathedral watching all this ever changing tapestry. We shall be gone tomorrow but others will replace us for s short while until they too are replaced.

We have coffee and say our goodbye’s to Chris who is heading off to the north coast and making his way back to Bayonne. We pass some time in a local park and meet Billy Boyle again for a long chat before we finally make our way to the train station to set off for Ourence.

Hostal Lido

We have no problems catching the train and we find that the front carriage has plenty of room for the bikes. Again we were shown true kindness by a lady at the station who probably recognised our anxiety. She responded by taking us to the train (which was already sat in the station) explained where the bikes needed to go and then saw us nicely settled before leaving us. We settle down for the two hour journey through Galicea and enjoy the scenery as it winds past the windows. We had expected a glut of hotels, UK style, at the station in Ourence but this was not to be. We had to travel down into the town and then the only place we could find was a very posh looking four star hotel. We asked passers by and one lady did an internet search on her phone for us and then directed us to the Hostal Lido where we got a room for three for just €47. Once booked in Ricky and I just wanted a shower and sleep whilst Malcolm went out to find some food.