Barb and I took the bus to Fisterre on Friday while Ian headed to Bilbao and San Sabastian. Ian was keen to spend some time at Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum while we wanted to keep with the Pilgrim's tradition of travelling the see the Atlantic Ocean at what was once thought of in Spain, as Lands End.
Cape Finisterre is sometimes said to be the westernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. However, this is not true, since Cabo da Roca, in Portugal, actually the westernmost point of Continental Europe, is about 16.5 km farther west. The name of Cape Finisterre, like that of Finistère in France, derives from the Latin name Finisterrae, which literally means "Land's End".
We had a lovely bus ride which followed the coast for several hours prior to arriving in the small town of Fisterre. The Cape of Finisterrae is a peninsula which has spectacular scenery and beaches. Near the end of the peninsula is Monte Facho and beyond that a small hotel and lighthouse. There are also several spectacular beaches. I assure the place is swarmed with people in the hot months of July and August, but now the place is pretty deserted. There are just a few Peregrinos wandering around town.
We settled into a really cozy hotel (Barb was happy to see a bathtub instead of the usual shower). Next door was a little bar where the owner played guitar and sang Spanish songs.
On Friday we walked out to the western beach over the hill on the other side of town. It had been raining, but as if we were granted a wish, the clouds cleared and the sun came it as we set out. I can't do justice to the landscape with words and I am sure my pictures don't do it justice, but they will have to do.
An hour before sunset it clouded over. Maybe we will get lucky with a beautiful sunset tonight or tomorrow night. We have decided to stay until Monday.
On Saturday we set off from town in the other direction around the cape, toward the lighthouse. The views cannot be described. After exploring the area of the lighthouse and climbing out to the point of land which is as far as you can go on the penninsula, we climbed Monte Facho, elevation 238 m. We wound our way back from the opposite side of the mountain, down what seemed to be goat tracks.
Can you see the lighthouse fade into the distance?
We are at the peak of Monte Facho. You can see the two sides of the penninsula.
the same beach as we sat on yesterday, watching the sunset.
Back to civilization! Tonight there is a fiesta! Tomorrow we explore the long beach which spans 2 or 3 km just before you reach the town.
I have been there with every step (post) of your journey, Peggy, from Cuba through Europe. It simply has been that I do not always comment. Thank you, for sharing your adventure.
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