LIVE from the Camino Some info from Sevilla and onwards to Santiago (Leaving 31 Mar)

[anthikes]

Greetings from Sevilla. I arrived yesterday from Lisbon on a 'Flixbus' which I highly recommend, although it took nearly 8 hours via the Algarve! Flixbus travel all over Spain and Europe. This trip only cost 15 euros.

I am staying in the ever popular 'Triana Backpackers' which is proving to be very friendly and nice. I went for a dorm bed to prepare oneself for a month or so of albergue life. It's a nice hostel and very close to the city centre. They sell the credential for 2 euros. I am paying 17 a night for a 10 bed dorm, but it's very spacious.

The small Decathlon store in Sevilla centre is actually very well stocked, and seems to have more hiking gear than the larger one I found in Lisbon! El Corte Ingles also has a good range of gear too.

I have some things to do before I leave, so will be heading out on Sunday. I noted that it's actually forecast to rain then, which is somewhat amusing for me, as I've not seen a drop for over three months now (I was in Thailand and Portugal before this).

Well it's a beautiful day today. March 29th 2019 was a date I have long dreaded, but it looks like I might still hang on to my EU passport for a bit longer!

 

[lt56ny]

Greetings from Sevilla. I arrived yesterday from Lisbon on a 'Flixbus' which I highly recommend, although it took nearly 8 hours via the Algarve! Flixbus travel all over Spain and Europe. This trip only cost 15 euros.

I am staying in the ever popular 'Triana Backpackers' which is proving to be very friendly and nice. I went for a dorm bed to prepare oneself for a month or so of albergue life. It's a nice hostel and very close to the city centre. They sell the credential for 2 euros. I am paying 17 a night for a 10 bed dorm, but it's very spacious.

The small Decathlon store in Sevilla centre is actually very well stocked, and seems to have more hiking gear than the larger one I found in Lisbon! El Corte Ingles also has a good range of gear too.

I have some things to do before I leave, so will be heading out on Sunday. I noted that it's actually forecast to rain then, which is somewhat amusing for me, as I've not seen a drop for over three months now (I was in Thailand and Portugal before this).

Well it's a beautiful day today. March 29th 2019 was a day I have long dreaded, but it looks like I might still hang on to my EU passport for a bit longer!

Did you notice if you can purchase a Swiss Army Knife at The Decathalon. I know there are always those small shops that sell all kinds of knives I think they are called something like Cuchillerias. But I will go to the Decathlon and hoping to get the knife there too.

 

[KinkyOne]

Did you notice if you can purchase a Swiss Army Knife at The Decathalon. I know there are always those small shops that sell all kinds of knives I think they are called something like Cuchillerias. But I will go to the Decathlon and hoping to get the knife there too.

I don't know about Decathlon in Spain but I bought Swiss Army knife in El Corte Ingles in Madrid so I guess they do have them in all of their stores.

 

[nycwalking]

Do continue to post your journey.

Buen camino.

 

[anthikes]

I don't know about Decathlon in Spain but I bought Swiss Army knife in El Corte Ingles in Madrid so I guess they do have them in all of their stores.

I saw them in the Lisbon store. I am thinking of buying a smaller one, because I only use the toe nail clippers and wine bottle opener currently!

Yes, I am planning on doing daily updates on here.

 

[lt56ny]

I don't know about Decathlon in Spain but I bought Swiss Army knife in El Corte Ingles in Madrid so I guess they do have them in all of their stores.

Thanks oh kinky one

 

[KinkyOne]

Thanks oh kinky one

De nada

 

[timr]

Well it's a beautiful day today. March 29th 2019 was a date I have long dreaded, but it looks like I might still hang on to my EU passport for a bit longer!

10pm news on R4 just now says it could be five more YEARS. I guess that is a bit optimistic. Happily I have an Irish as well as a UK passport. So I am not letting mine go.
Looking forward to following your progress on the route. Tim

 

[anthikes]

Another day in Triana. I bought my credential today for €2 in the hostel and also managed to send my daypack to Santiago. I used the Correos mail forwarding and storage service (linked below) and it cost €47 total to be stored in the Santiago P.O. for up to 75 days.

I think Ivar's service would have worked out cheaper, so would probably recommend that. No one in the main PO here spoke English, so it was a bit tricky, but I have a confirmation letter and tracking number in my email. All I can do is hope my backpack is waiting for me in 6 weeks or so time. I could have paid €10 less for 45 days, but that would have been cutting it fine, and I don't wanna rush.

Triana is a very friendly place. I was a little wary that it could have been a party place, as many big city hostels on the backpacker circuit are, but it is not so. A good mix of ages too. Staff are super friendly and helpful. Amazing bathrooms, home from home.

I got a sim card from Vodafone for €15 with 6GB of data for one month, which I think is really good. I am uploading Youtube videos as I go along, so need the big data in case of no wifi.

So I leave tomorrow. Excited to be finally walking after so many weeks of non stop work.

https://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/services

 

[anthikes]

10pm news on R4 just now says it could be five more YEARS. I guess that is a bit optimistic. Happily I have an Irish as well as a UK passport. So I am not letting mine go.
Looking forward to following your progress on the route. Tim

I just got 5 years residency in Portugal, just in case. That's why I came here from Lisbon. You are lucky to have the Irish passport! Who knows what will happen next. I am mighty glad to have the distraction of a camino!

 

[peregrina2000]

Another day in Triana. I bought my credential today for €2 in the hostel and also managed to send my daypack to Santiago. I used the Correos mail forwarding and storage service (linked below) and it cost €47 total to be stored in the Santiago P.O. for up to 75 days.

I think Ivar's service would have worked out cheaper, so probably would recommend that. No one in the PO here spoke English, so it was a bit tricky, but I have a confirmation letter and tracking number in my email, so I hope my backpack is waiting for me in 6 weeks or so time. I could have paid €10 less for 45 days, but that would have been cutting it fine, and I don't wanna rush.

Triana is a very friendly place. I was a little wary that it could have been a party place, as many hostels are, particularly in big cities on the backpacker circuit, but it is not so. A good mix of ages. Staff are super friendly and helpful too. Home from home.

I got a sim card from Vodafone for €15 with 6GB of data for one month, which I think is really good. I am uploading Youtube videos as I go along, so need the big data in case of no wifi.

So I leave tomorrow. Excited to be finally walking after so many weeks of non stop work.

https://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/services

Buen camino, anthikes, I love following along as people walk the Vdlp. And you have picked a glorious time of year to walk, the green fields and wildflowers are heavenly.

Let me know how your vodafone card goes. I had used one for years, and never had a problem till last year. In April, I bought a card like the one you describe in Almería at the start of the Mozárabe. I never used the data, except on a rare occasion when I needed to check something and was not connected to wifi. Yet when I got to Granada about a week later, I got a message that my data was all used up. The vodaphone guys had no explanation, and they were unable to check my usage to see where it had gone. I just bought another 15 € worth. They suggested I keep the data off all the time except when actually using it. That’s kind of a pain, but it’s what I did. And I had data for the rest of the time, no problem. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[anthikes]

Buen camino, anthikes, I love following along as people walk the Vdlp. And you have picked a glorious time of year to walk, the green fields and wildflowers are heavenly.

Let me know how your vodafone card goes. I had used one for years, and never had a problem till last year. In April, I bought a card like the one you describe in Almería at the start of the Mozárabe. I never used the data, except on a rare occasion when I needed to check something and was not connected to wifi. Yet when I got to Granada about a week later, I got a message that my data was all used up. The vodaphone guys had no explanation, and they were unable to check my usage to see where it had gone. I just bought another 15 € worth. They suggested I keep the data off all the time except when actually using it. That’s kind of a pain, but it’s what I did. And I had data for the rest of the time, no problem. Buen camino, Laurie

Thanks for the heads up! Yea I always keep my data off when not in use. Its mainly to preserve the battery, as my phone is getting on a bit now. I'd imagine one of yours apps was sucking all your data up in the background. I know things like Google Maps are real data hungry. I had Orange before and always thought they offered the best data, but Vodafone seems much more generous at this time!

 

[anthikes]

Took about 5 hours to get to Guillena today. Staying in municipal albergue which is pretty good. Its kind of in a sports complex, and about 10 mins walk through town. Was tempted to try the other albergue as it had rave reviews on Gronze, but figured it would be busy.

Did not leave Seville until 9am - it is still pretty dark even at 8 after the clocks go forward.

About 7 pilgrims here, spread over two rooms, and we all have lower bunks. The guy working here is pretty friendly. €10 for the night.

 

[anthikes]

At the Municipal (donativo) in Castilblanco. About 15 of us here now as we approach 5.30pm. I left Guillena at 10am and got here at 2pm. Perfect walking weather, with just a few spots of rain here and there.

One difference so far is the age of people on this camino. Possibly one guy in his 30s, the rest will be 40s plus, with the majority over 50.

Its actually a little chilly in this bunk room, so heading outside to warm up

 

[tangata hikoi]

At the Municipal (donativo) in Castilblanco. About 15 of us here now as we approach 5.30pm. I left Guillena at 10am and got here at 2pm. Perfect walking weather, with just a few spots of rain here and there.

One difference so far is the age of people on this camino. Possibly one guy in his 30s, the rest will be 40s plus, with the majority over 50.

Its actually a little chilly in this bunk room, so heading outside to warm up

One difference so far is the age of people on this camino. Possibly one guy in his 30s, the rest will be 40s plus, with the majority over 50.

I've noticed similar, people in general older - I've frequently been the youngest in the Albergue and I turned 55 this week. There have been younger folk too but proportion of older people higher.
However since Ourense have noticed quite a shift in the pilgrim population. Many more people, many women and mostly a younger age group.
Megg

 

[anthikes]

Hello from Aljucen. Some of you maybe interested that I have been vlogging my days...

 

[anthikes]

I am in Casar de Caceres Municipal Albergue with a fantastic washing machine!

I am wondering what to expect over Semana Santa? I arrive in Salamanca around Good Friday and already see no accommodation options. Hope it's not going to be too stressful finding beds over the next week or so.

 

[anthikes]

A somewhat angry pilgrim has just arrived. She asks if the washing machine is free, I tell her yes and attempt to explain which is the best setting. She cuts me short with 'yes I know washing machines!'.

Well I hope I don't snore too loud tonight

 

[camino07]

I am in Casar de Caceres Municipal Albergue with a fantastic washing machine!

I am wondering what to expect over Semana Santa? I arrive in Salamanca around Good Friday and already see no accommodation options. Hope it's not going to be too stressful finding beds over the next week or so.

Have you tried Hostal Tormes in Salamanca?

 

[anthikes]

Have you tried Hostal Tormes in Salamanca?

Not yet, I am just going on booking.com. Cheapest bed is €70 on Friday.

 

[Innkeeper]

Hi just read this thread and watched your vid. Both very good. Did you only do the one day cant seem to find the rest could just be me

 

[Deleted member 73526]

I am wondering what to expect over Semana Santa? I arrive in Salamanca around Good Friday and already see no accommodation options. Hope it's not going to be too stressful finding beds over the next week or so.

Did you call the Albergue de peregrinos in Salamanca? It is exclusively for pilgrims and stays are limited to one night. I was under the impression that they did not accept advance bookings, but worth checking.

SALAMANCA - Albergue de peregrinos

Camino de Santiago por la Vía de la Plata y Sanabrés. Todo lo que necesitas saber para tu Camino: Etapas / Mapas / Albergues / Consejos

viadelaplataelcamino.blogspot.com

Same rules for the Albergue in Zamora by the way.

 

[camino07]

Not yet, I am just going on booking.com. Cheapest bed is €70 on Friday.

You could try Hostelworld.com Hostel Tormes on there too

 

[anthikes]

We stayed in one of the youth hostels in Salamance which turned out to be quite nice. Now in the very quiet Municipal in Calzada.

 

[anthikes]

In Zamora now and having first rest day. Recovering from a camino romance that went sour . Looking forward to moving on tomorrow.

Trying to find out if Montamarta albergue is actually open as its been reported closed.

 

[anthikes]

Hi just read this thread and watched your vid. Both very good. Did you only do the one day cant seem to find the rest could just be me

Yes, one every day...

Ant Hikes

My name is Ant. I like to hike

www.youtube.com

 

[Martyduc]

In Zamora now and having first rest day. Recovering from a camino romance that went sour . Looking forward to moving on tomorrow.

Trying to find out if Montamarta albergue is actually open as its been reported closed.

It was definitely closed two weeks ago,,, looked very forlorn,,, but there is Casa Rural right opposite Bar Rose-Marie,,,

 

[anthikes]

Montamarta was open. I am in Villabrazaro after two long days from Zamora. I stayed in Granja municipal last night, not bad even though the mens toilet was broken.

The municipal here in Villa is ok but freezing and its only 6pm. Forecast of 2C tonight. Lots of spare blankets as only 3 here out of 12 beds.

My fingers are too cold to type.

 

[anthikes]

Survived the night and now just 22km from the mayhem of the Frances. This stretch has been challenging. Never seen so many bars that are se vende and supermarkets that don't exist. I also followed yellow arrows across some land and had to turn back half an hour later due to dogs! Been a tough day but happy to be in La Benaza albergue with my hospital bed!

 

[C clearly]

La Benaza albergue with my hospital bed!

Those hospital beds are hilarious and bizarre. I was by myself there.

 

[anthikes]

So I am in Astorga. There were no yellow arrows coming into town from the Via and no end point?

I thought there might be some sign to indicate the finish, like a photo opportunity?

 

[C clearly]

So I am in Astorga. There were no yellow arrows coming into town from the Via and no end point?

I thought there might be some sign to indicate the finish, like a photo opportunity?

I agree, the entrance route was hard to figure out, and it was bit anticlimactic.

 

[anthikes]

Well I guess it's the journey that's more important than the destination.