Friday, August 10, 2012

May 27-28/2012 Side Trip La Coruna and Ferrol


We have just finished walking the Camino de la Plata, http://www.caminowalkaboutplata.blogspot.com . We had some extra days, before leaving for home in California, so we decided to take two side trips, La Coruna and Ferrol.
Plaza Mayor La Coruna
We took a bus out to La Coruna today. Quite a big seaport city. We walked through old town and along the promenade close to the sea. We saw lovely gardens and went out to the light house. It is called the tower of Hercules. The story of Hercules began in the 1200's. The story goes that a giant called Geryon ruled over all the land between the two nearby rivers, the Tagus and the Douro. He terrified the people. Hercules challenged Geryon and they fought for three days. Hercules won and cut off Geryon's head. He buried the head and commanded that a tower be built over it. He then founded the city of Crunia. Named after first woman that lived there and a woman Hercules fell in love with. After Hercules left, his nephew finished the tower. He put a lamp on it that never went out and a large mirror on top so they would know when enemy ships were approaching. It was built in the 1st century and the only lighthouse of antiquity that is still working.
Tower of Hercules
We then went to lunch and had tropical salads. Lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, strawberry, peaches, and grilled shrimp with a thousand island dressing. It was delicious.

Lunch La Coruna
Lunch La Coruna
We got back to Santiago by 1600 and then planned our trip tomorrow to Ferrol.
The 0915 bus from Santiago takes an hour and a half to arrive at Ferrol. After a very short walk from the bus station, you arrive at a major square plaza with evidence of lost hope. Modern buildings were closed.
Joan asked for directions to the sea. Three people were involved in the answer. The winer could easily have been subscripted aboard one of Magellan's ships. He pointed and said just walk down that street till you hear the gulls call. Often with such straight forward directions, there is no need for an information office. We found the Parador, Church and the open air fish market where we purchased our lunch, tuna and sardine empanadas followed up with torts with custard and cream.
On the way back to the bus station, we happened to pass the information office which was just about to close. We asked about the Camino Ingles. The gentleman was exceptionally gracious and presented us with descriptive maps and photographs of the entire way.
We were hooked. At that moment we looked at each other and said why not. So the blog continues, the Camino Ingles from Ferrol, Spain to Santiago 117k.
OTHER BLOGS:
Caminowalkabout.blogspot.com (Frances, Finisterra, Muxia)
Caminowalkabouteurope.blogspot.com
Caminowalkaboutitaly.blogspot.com
Caminowalkaboutnorthcoast.blogspot.com
Caminowalkaboutpinnacles.blogspot.com
Caminowalkaboutgermany.blogspot.com


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