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Belfast

Not at all what I expected. The weather was gloomy and wet nevertheless we saw a great deal from “The Troubles” to where the Titanic was built to the beautiful Mourne mountains. My Camino buddy was a great host. Lots of good craic and beer.

Alas, we had to leave. Back to Amsterdam then home on the 4th November.

HMS Caroline. She was in the battle of Jutland 31 May 1916.

Alas

Titanic was built here in this dry dock. She was great when we handed it over! So the saying goes.

Alas back to Amsterdam and sunshine.

Then Mill Bay BC.

Bye

Porto

Unique and interesting place. Fun to explore.

Douro River walk. Full of cafes and restaurants. Musicians as well.

vibrant nightlife.

Vibrant city streets.

Douro River valley wine country

This guy couldn’t wait for the table wine!

Porto is amazing.

Ferdinand Magellan’s birthplace. Sabrosa.

Off to Belfast tomorrow.

Santiago Compestele

Pilgrim homecoming. The Camino Frances end game. You see tired and beleaguered faces of the pilgrims, young and old and from all parts, gather in the square at the front of the cathedral to St James, congratulating one another and hoping the experience never ends. But alas it does.

In the garden

Standing on the clam shell in the middle of the square.

Leave for Porto in the morning.

Leon

Leon is the capital of the Spanish Province of Castile / Leon. Its origins go back to Roman times when the Roman 7th Legion was garrisoned here about 45 BCE. You can still see the remnants of their presence here in the ancient walls and fortifications.

Leon has a beautiful cathedral that was built in the 12th century. It is also the place where the Spanish Civil War started. It has a population of about 120,000 people. Today Leon is very cosmopolitan with wide boulevards that are graced with beautiful fountains, wonderful architecture and an old city core that has retained all of its charm. Streets are super clean, people are friendly and the culture is rich.

It is very cool here today. Lots of Pilgrims too. Off to Santiago by train tomorrow.

Burgos

Arrived in Burgos. Home of Charleton Heston erm I mean El Cid. It is also the capital of this part of Spain. You just cannot believe how clean this place is, as was Pamplona. It puts our cities to shame. They clean the streets here every night. The architecture is brilliant. They have real city planners. Burgos has a population of about 180,000 and is the capital of the province of Burgos, which is part of the province of Castile Leon.l

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