Camino Inglés Day 0: Getting to the start!

A WhatsApp message from a friend this morning, in response to me stating that I was on a bus, asked ‘Wnu Ferrol?’  My answer was ‘So that I can walk back to Santiago!’  The Camino Inglés hadn’t really been on my radar until I realised that the Primitivo would leave me with time to spare. I wasn’t certain I wanted to commit the extra time but, having not bought a return ticket, I set out on the Primitivo thinking that decisions wouldn’t need to be made until that one was done and dusted.  It didn’t quite work out like that.  Being a short Camino (114km) the Inglés is normally quiet.  The wildfires seem to have changed that.  At one point sections of the hugely popular Frances route were closed, pushing people to find other routes.  A few enquiries about accommodation on the Inglés told me that a decision needed to be made and beds needed to be booked. I started booking accommodation about a week ago. The last piece in tne puzzle finally fell into place yesterday morning.  Or at least I think it is all in place, I have a list of dates, towns and hostels scribbled on the back of a napkin!

This morning I had a lie in!  I didn’t get up until 6.30am.  I showered, sorted my kit out, and headed off to the bus station.  I was far too early for my 8.50am bus, but I wanted to be sure that I knew where I was going.  The ticket to Ferrol was €8 for a two hour journey.  

I got to Ferrol just before 11am. Hours before I could check into my room. I left my backpack there and made my way to the Pilgrim Office to get my new credential.  My hotel was 3km from the start of the Camino. I got my map out and decided that not even I am quite mad enough to add 3km to an already longish day tomorrow.  I walked from the Pilgrim Office to a point close to the hotel and recorded it on Garmin.  Tomorrow I can just get up and go!

After that I wandered around the town, had a delicious empanada and a beer for lunch before checking into the hotel for a siesta.  It feels odd to know that I definitely won’t bump into my Camino family again.  New adventures await, starting with a bit of exploring around Ferrol later this evening.