Today felt like a week! It is really stunning here. A small stream winds through a sandy-floored canyon out into a crescent shaped bay on a long inlet. The ocean is invisible until you wade out round the corner and suddenly the deep cobalt blue horizon opens up, framed by craggy rocks. The sound of waves gently lapping the shore is mixed with birdsong and cow bells from the cliffs, with a couple of pine trees for shade. Perfecto!

After the albergue breakfast we transfer our packs to the Hotel La Ferola del Mar. The unsmiling receptionist/barmaid who we nickname 'Granny' looks rather dubious at having a couple of those pesky, feral pilgrims check in!

Rebecca decides to stay in the albergue for an extra night, but joins Christine and me on the beach. I wade around in the sea, go exploring up the creek and then finally decide to go for a swim. Lovely. The is sea shallow for a long way out and is warmish once you pass the midriff moment.

It's very nice to be amongst the normality of family life on the beach. Children paddle, make sand castles, mums sunbathe, boys play football and a few pilgrims tramp past on the cliff path in their parallel universe...

There is a very nice restuarant in the other hotel and we have a posh lunch on the terrace; baked vegetables and a big plate of Pimentos Padron. More sunbathing in the afternoon, but by 8pm I'm ravenous again and tuck into a plate of pig's trotters and chips!!! The most fattening thing I spotted on the menu- I seem to burn off however many calories I eat!

Then a good sleep; I realise how much I miss the luxury of real cotton towels and ironed sheets!