It was a beautiful early morning as we left the albergue. We were now looking for 'double-markers' and "M & F" arrows on the Road, which indicated the route for both Finisterre and Muxia. Walkers go vise versa too -- we met quite a few who were trekking to Fisterre from Muxia.
The path wound through similar landscapes seen on the way to Fisterre -- there were ferns, flowers, farms, and lush tree groves.
Corn was stacked tightly in rows inside an horreo.
All my pictures are of Dad walking, so he took
one of me with my pack.
The path to Muxia descended down to white beaches similar to Fisterre's playas.
Within the town limits
We checked into our albergue, Bela Muxia, which had a nice kitchen that was handy for making bocadillos later.
Once settled in at the albergue we continued on to the Sanctuario de Virxe da Barca (Virgin of the Boat), where the penultimate scene of the movie The Way was filmed. The ex-voto tradition is still followed here during the annual "romeria" in Sept. A romeria refers to an annual short distance pilgrimage.
Although the church doors were locked, I was able to take some pictures through the entrance windows. Boats hanging from the ceiling reference a legend about the Virgin -- as the story goes, she sailed to this spot to offer encouragement to St. James in his missionary work. Boat ex-votos are left by sailors asking for protection on their sea voyages.
Out to the rocks for the final steps of the journey
Next we stopped by the pilgrim office to receive our certificate of completion for walking from Fisterre to Muxia. After lunch, we returned to the office to inquire about leaving the kidney, arm, and spine ex-votos at the Sanctuario, which is particularly associated with healing renal conditions. Pilgrim Alessandro helped us translate. The office manager promised he would give the votives to the priest tomorrow. I wrote a note, translated again by Alessandro, that explained the votives' healing purpose and listed the person's name each one represents.
To celebrate the day, we went to dinner at O Cordobe's, a marina restaurant recommended by the owners of our albergue, and feasted on local seafood.
Before going to eat we walked again to the Sanctuario to watch the sunset, which is a pilgrim tradition. It marked the end of our Camino and to leaving the last ex-votos.
Today, July 8, is also the 3 year mark of Aunt Ginny's passing. She was the last of the "Charn girls" to 'set sail to the other side of the sea' within seven weeks of each other in 2010. We remembered her, Mom, and Arlene as we watched the setting sun.
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