La Coruna II
Thursdays Child
Robin & Joanna Minchin
Thu 28 Aug 2014 20:44
An exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable day ashore. We were on the move for about 5 hours, the children did really well.
There is an excellent walk-way around the outskirts of the city following the coast which accommodates both walkers with views right over the cliffs, cyclists on their own two-way track, then a dual carriage way for cars, all very safe and spacious. Along the lamp posts are enamelled paintings of sea shells, sea horses, star fish etc, all thoroughly nautical which, along with many statues, helps to lift the city out of the ordinary.
We need to do some more research as there were many monuments along the way, but all paths led to the Torres de Hercules, the fabulously UNESCO restored lighthouse that dates back to Roman times. The lighthouse is now in immaculate condition and towers above the city and the Atlantic.
We queued for a short while to gain access to the interior, and once inside were treated to the history of what is now a World Heritage Site. Its story began in 61AD when Caesar arrived in A Coruna and created a Roman settlement with a lighthouse, each century is recorded by development or deterioration and was all very well documented and illustrated.
We climbed to the top of the 57m high structure onto the windy balcony and were treated to tremendous views all round. In the photo, Harry and Isabelle are standing in front of what will be our route next week; the west coast towards Cape Finisterre is stretching out behind them.
We had a very Roman lunch of nuts, olives and apricots... followed by very 21st century snack of crisps and ice creams but we managed to walk all the way back to the boat without needing to catch a bus, despite two tired children. We now have a good feel of the city and its layout and have an idea of what to do over the next few days.
Tomorrow should be very special with a train ride to Santiago de Compostela.
