A rest day in Santiago before we start to walk the Camino Finisterre for a week.
Full breakfast in one of the many attractive cafes. One of three cafes in which we had coffee in an effort to find the Internet - always a challenge.
One of the pensions, displaying such lovely ceramics.
Delightful stone sculptures on a small church that has merged into the narrow streets.
Enthusiastic trio
Sunday midday mass. We entered the cathedral about 11.15am and there was already only sitting room on the stone floor. A challenge for Mark - particularly as it was up and down for the responses.
We were seated next to two boys from Sydney - from Avalon and Narrabeen - who went to St Luke's school at Curl Curl and loved it. They are on a surfing holiday in Portugal and combined it with walking the Camino Frances from Leon.
And yes, today was a special mass marked by the use of the huge incense botafumeiro - used in medieval times to drown out the odour of the smelly pilgrims and now, as we discovered last year, part of a magical tradition, which is spellbinding.
Lit and then swung hung high above the congregation.
We even caught one of the priests with his mobile phone taking forbidden photos.
People pour out of the cathedral while others line up for hundreds of metres for entry.
Gargoyles on buildings around the city. So many details around to entrance you, whether it be flowers, doors, window displays, sculptures - even the food is an artform.
Hot afternoon and the city slept. We found a lovely quiet cool wifi-ed cafe/bar near our pension, which served not only cerveza grande but Tinto de verano grande, as well.
Last night in bed, we heard great hilarity and joyous noise close to our pension. Today we discovered that over our adjoining wall is a garden restaurant, Casa Felisa, with a delicious menu. So tonight we decided to join them.
Mark's entree. Prawns and eels. Main course was black pudding and patates.
I had asparagus and goat's cheese and then sea bass and salad.
A wonderful find and just next door.
Tomorrow, we set off on the road again.
M&M
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