Al Coruna & Santiago de Compostela Spain

04th October 2018 – 6th October 2018

The next destination west and the most westly point we are going on this trip is to Al Coruna. We parked in the marina, walking distance into the city and the perfect weather, sunny but not too hot for Chloe. It’s all about Chloe in our world ! Al Coruna is a busy port and a destination for cruise ships, with one docked whilst we were there. How huge are they, never fancied a cruise myself but never say never. A Coruna was the site of the battle of Corunna in which British troops fought against the French to cover the embarkation of the British troops after their retreat. In this battle Sir John Moore was killed, also known as Moore of Corunna. His body lies in a beautiful park overlooking the harbour. When we found the park, there were hundreds of screaming children running round, not the most peaceful of settings. The city hall is an amazing building, the roof dazzling in the sunshine situated in the Maria Pita Square. We meandered around the streets, got up early in the morning to visit the fresh food market, but a huge disappointment. We were hoping to find an amazing market like Cadiz but alias no. The Plaza del Humour is a great little hidden gem, a small square in the old part of of A Coruna. Cartoons are depicted on the pavement, with sculptures sitting on benches, there is Groucho chasing the unobtainable. May West flouting her feminine wiles and Laurel & Hardy doing goofy things. Well worth finding if you are ever in A Coruna. After a couple of days we started to head South and to the Pilgrim’s destination of Santiago de Compostela. The city has it’s origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the city’s old town is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 100,000 pilgrims travel to the city each year from points all over Europe and other parts of the world. The city was heaving with people of all nationalities, a large group of children cheering as they had reached their destination and cyclists having their photos taken outside the Cathedral. Many follow the route as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. It had a real buzz and to get into the spirit of it all I bought a scallop shell to go round my neck. I didn’t have a clue what this shell symbolised but everyone had one and as I love a shop, even a tacky tourist shop, of which there are many, I bought one. Later to read that the shell is an emblem of St James. The Cathedral is amazing but with so, so many people we retreated. One hi-light was Barberia Milenio, now David has been growing his beard since we left and now it is quite long and needs shaping. Not having a clue on how to shape beards, although I did try. But the look David was giving me as I trimmed away with a pair of dog scissors told me that I should maybe leave it to a professional. So, we made an appointment and braved the Spanish barbers. It was pot luck but the barber, young, dark haired and with a great shaped beard himself told us that this guy knew what he was doing. In the chair David goes, collar round his neck and cape over his body. The next minute he is horizontal in the chair with a hot towel over his face. I see his head go redder and redder, as another Spanish customer tells me he once lived in Milton Keynes ! I was hoping David wasn’t going to pass out. Luckily he didn’t and 30 minutes later with a very well trimmed beard costing all of €10 we left. David was very happy and so will his Mum be, as she’s not been too keen on the growing beard.