Highlights

🍳 7:00am – Another slap-up breakfast. The spread was as generous as ever, but the chatter was a little more subdued than yesterday. Was it nerves about tackling 17 miles? Or the 3:30am refuse lorries that made sure no one slept through the night? Either way, bellies were full and boots were laced.

🇪🇸 8:00am – Walker’s briefing done, and then… the Spanish national anthem filled the air. Two soldiers in immaculate uniforms raised the Spanish flag outside as we watched. What a way to begin our Camino!

🥾 9:50am – The first five miles twisted through Ferrol’s city streets. Distractions came in the form of military soldiers jogging past (the girls certainly noticed 👀). Then it was time for our first café stop. But wait….. Jan and Gaby missed the cafe and powered on! Cue me sprinting down the road in just my socks to catch them.

⛪️ 10:55am – Our first church of the day, with a congregation unlike any other… many cats! Dozens of them, even one curled up near the altar.

🫏 11:03am – A baby donkey stole the show. Enough said.

📸 12:12pm – The iconic 100km marker appeared on the outskirts of Ferrol. Cameras out, everyone snapped that all-important shot.

🌳 12:33pm – Picnic time under the shade of the largest Magnolia tree in Spain. Ten miles done, seven to go.

🍺 1:05pm – The first Radlers of the trip were cracked open. Too early for me and Lucy, so we kept marching on. At this point, Alison and John wisely bowed out for the bus, Ali’s awaiting a knee op and didn’t want to risk it on the hills ahead. Smart call.

🐈 Cue Lucy: “Ah, look at that cat sleeping in the sunshine.” Not sleeping. Dead cat. 😳 Awkward silence, quick shuffle onwards.

🌴 The last four miles – A gorgeous eucalyptus forest trail, blessedly cooler beneath the trees. Who’s that in the distance? Ali & John! Turns out their bus only dropped them part-way, so they had to tackle the final 3.5 miles on foot. Ali smashed it, even on the uneven ups and downs. Her poor knee!

🏨 3:30pm – We arrived at Hotel Chips. (Weird name for a hotel!). Modern, clean, and, most importantly, serving cold beer.

By 4:30pm, the whole crew was back, showered, and swapping stories of cats, donkeys, goats and unexpected bus rides. Dinner was… interesting. Let’s just say if you like chips, you’d have been very happy indeed. 😂