Day 25 (del Norte): Guemes to Santander

Our last day of walk. The fog at dawn adds a magical quality to this small rural village, Guemes. A similar transformation has occurred at this simple casa rural. The attention to detail from the hostess is fully evident at a delightful breakfast. I now understand all those superlative on-line reviews of this hotel. What a way to start the last stage of the Camino for us - the town and the hotel where the beauty is not forced but discovered in the early hours of the morning.

Guemes: early morning fog

Guemes: a view from the hotel balcony just before sunrise

Guemes: candlelit stairs, appropriately with the scallop shell motive for pilgrims, lead to the breakfast room.

Guemes: one of the best deals on this trip - 50 euros buys a double room and this breakfast.

Guemes: everywhere you look, you see the exquisite touch of the hostess, including fresh flowers changed daily.

Guemes: the sun has risen.

Guemes: a little zen corner at Posada El Angel de la Guarda is complete with both Buddha and a guardian angel

Again there are choices today. I opt for a shorter route along the highway over the recommended coastal path, which is longer but more scenic. So what else is new - my way is the highway! My main concern today is the wife's left eye, which has been teary since yesterday. Exposure to a strong wind along the coastal route may worsen it, so the decision is easy. And I am a bit anxious to get to Santander soon, in case she needs to see a doctor. The highway route is a bit boring but we uneventfully reach Somo and take the ferry to Santander.

Shortly after we start walking, we get a glimpse of Santander, today's destination.

Galizano: the Camino splits here and we take the easier route, against this arrow. RIP Yogi "when you come to the fork in the road, take it!" Berra.

These geckos may be confused, but I am not. The highway route couldn't be more straightforward.

 Walking on the bike path straight along the highway.

We have seen a number of bread delivering trucks in the mornings. Here is one client.

Colors are rare on this stretch.

Arriving in Somo with a view of Santander in the background.

Somo: waiting to get on the ferry to Santander

Nearing Santander

Getting closer

Santander: walking to our hotel

With this boat ride, I feel like we are arriving in Santander in style. In a few minutes we find our hotel. So here we are. 240 km, or about 150 miles, after we left Irun. I walked every kilometer of it. Thankfully we have suffered no injury, although I had a couple of non-musculoskeletal issues. After late lunch, we get a preview of the city on the hop-on-hop-off bus, except there is no hop-off as we get on the last one.

Four euros get you a whole bunch of sterile saline solutions for the wife's eye.

Santander: the Bank of Santander seen from the tour bus

Santander: Cabo Menor