Tue 19th Sep – Day 20 - Tour Day 4 - Saintly Santiago de Compostela

 I had a good nights sleep, as the bed was a lot softer that the Madrid hotel's. Woke with the alarm, showered, dressed and was down to breakfast by 8ish.  Not especially hungry this morning.

0830 and we are off on our optional tour.  Visit a Galician Grand Manor House known as a "Pazo", home to an aristocratic family and its garden. The journey with our Local Expert will also take us past the island of Arousa and the fishing villages of Vilagarcia and Vilaxoàn. Enjoy the scenery of this most bountiful seafood area of Spain, a region also famous for its white wines.

Roy is our local guide.

A very misty/foggy start to the day, with the temp in the low teens.

We ventured onto the island of Arousa and had a drive around. 

Mussel beds in the distance.

After that, we were taken to the square around 10:30 and had time to have a coffee etc, before  again meeting at 10:55 for our 11am visit to the Galician Grand Manor House known as a "Pazo", home to an aristocratic family and its garden.

The family pet came to visit.

The family grow their own grapes and have their own small distillery. 

An alcohol tasting after the visit to the house.  Back on the bus and the sun has come out, at long last.

Once back at Santiago de Compostela, we picked up the others who were doing the option with another local guide. I ate some lunch before joining that guide, who was exceptional, even though I don't remember a fraction of the information that she imparted to us.  There was very little photography allowed within the Cathedral

The crypt of St. James

and none when you visited the burial place of St. James, within the bowels of the Cathedral, although some people managed to get a photo or 2. 

After that it was back to the hotel.  I opted for a bar snack with a glass of wine, with Mike and Cindy and then back to my room, to pack up ready for our departure to Oviedo tomorrow.

Night all.