Albergue at Manjarin

[artbellis]

I read in Brierly’s book of an Albergue in Manjarin run by a unique character named Tomas. Rumor has it that the Albergue is closed, has anyone stayed here recently. It’s a long way to the next town (Acebo) if we wait to find out.

 

[Bradypus]

A well informed friend tells me that Tomas no longer lives in Manjarin and that it is no longer possible to stay there overnight. Tomas still visits the place most days so you may meet him in passing.

 

[SabsP]

I read in Brierly’s book of an Albergue in Manjarin run by a unique character named Tomas. Rumor has it that the Albergue is closed, has anyone stayed here recently. It’s a long way to the next town (Acebo) if we wait to find out.

It is closed.

Not an albergue but a very simple refugio. No toilet or showers.

Albergue de peregrinos de Manjarín :: Camino de Santiago

Información completa sobre el refugio de peregrinos de Manjarín: dirección, contacto, características, precios, horarios, equipamientos, ...

www.alberguescaminosantiago.com

 

[JabbaPapa]

A well informed friend tells me that Tomas no longer lives in Manjarin and that it is no longer possible to stay there overnight.

He does still live there, but he's not there every night.

He has shut down the little snack and drinks service he used to run, because a lovely lady has set up a food and drinks spot on the way into the village, and quite rightly he wants her little business to thrive.

It is still possible to sleep there, but only by exception and if you get stuck, and he's there, and if he decides he likes you. He is OTOH no longer running it as a place where you can just stay from the asking. As things stand now, it's an emergency place and no more, as it was when he first established it.

Manjarin is starting to live again, and I would not be at all surprised if in a few years, an Albergue as such popped up there.

 

[Sheesh]

It's a very interesting place to have a few minutes stop when you pass by. Last fall there was a very kindly man there (perhaps an attendant or friend of Tomas, who apparently was "napping" in the back structure). I had a nice little chit chat with this fellow, even with my limited use of his native language , and he let me put out some kibble for the many kitty cats resident at the site.

 

[Flog]

Sadly, Tomas is no longer here, I was told yesterday. I would have stopped by today.. photo taken this morning.

 

[Tincatinker]

So, the last Templar Knight has left the Camino. May all who ever encountered him treasure their memories

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Tomas has not left the Camino! He doesn't do anything that final without making a big announcement! He is still bopping around up there, don't write him off so quick!

 

[ELHS220]

I saw him and talked with him in June. I did not, however, question whether anyone was staying there anymore. He did tell me that there were medical issues. Last year it was closed up tight, taped off, and abandoned. The food truck is a God send and she is SUCH a nice lady. She actually REMEMBERED me from last year without any coaxing from me. I speak Spanish and last year I had an extended conversation with her, took pictures of her with her dog, spoke to her about Tomás, and she remembered it all.

 

[truenorthpilgrm]

I saw him this year (end of April/beginning of May) walking down the road carrying a LOT of wood, with a few scruffy dogs in tow.

 

[artbellis]

Thanks to all for your responses. We are now commutes to making it to Acebo but will stop by the remains of his place. Can’t miss the last Templar after all.

 

[Casserole]

How sad to hear. I stayed there back in 2009 and it was probably the most memorable part of the Camino for me.

 

[JabbaPapa]

How sad to hear. I stayed there back in 2009 and it was probably the most memorable part of the Camino for me.

He is still there, I'm not sure how more clearly this can be stated.

Tomás has more simply retired, mostly, and has stopped offering those coffee and biscuits and so on because there is instead a lovely lady providing that and better at the entrance to the village.

His refugio was only ever an emergency place, despite some using it otherwise over the years.

 

[C clearly]

His refugio was only ever an emergency place

It was very welcome one afternoon in November 2012, when my companion and I were caught unprepared in icy rain. By the time we got our rain gear on, we were chilled and wet. (It was just our second day on a Camino, and our first rainfall, so we learned fast.) Anyway, we stumbled cold and miserable into ManjarIn, where Tomas was presiding in his warm and smoky refuge. We spent an hour drying and warming ourselves and drinking hot tea. We had the option of staying the night, but it was not very appealing, so we moved on to the rocky walk and descent to Acebo, in lightly falling snow. However, we were extremely thankful for the much needed refuge.