If anyone has a hotline to the CSJ (Confraternity of Saint James) please could they kindly pass on my gripe/s....
During WW2, the Windmill Theatre off Piccadilly claimed ‘We never closed’! CSJ has the distinction that their Rabanal Albergue in 2020 ‘Never Opened’. (Same for the Miraz Albetgue, I believe).
1. I put their flimsy sign up properly (and it needs permanent fixing)
2. Why does their website not state that the albergue/s is/are closed
3. Could they not put a list on the door of albergues that ARE open
I have it on good authority that pilgrim numbers staying in Rabanal were down last year. Mainly due to guidebooks recommending Foncebadón as the stage before Ponferrada.
I am staying at El Tragu de Foncebadón, solo room booked via booking.com (other providers are available). Heaven - clean, large single bed, HEATING, shower room, well insulated etc. Lovely outlook and great welcome. Worth every euro on what promises to be a stormy night.
Staying two nights in Ponferrada as I an too far ahead. I want to get to know the place... and visit the Energy and Radio Museums.
Saw one chappy selling crooks/walking sticks (rather late in the day it seems to me). Rabanal very quiet. A few cafés open 10 kms on from Astorga.
Only when leaving Astorga and admiring the western facade of the cathedral did I spot that there is a ‘camera obscura’ notified in a religious association building opposite... next time!
On the accommodation front, I would recommend that small groups consider renting a flat/house. Now possible for one night at very reasonable cost - it would allow communal catering. A chance to eat the rarely seen legumbres.
Less than 240 odd kms (the numbers vary!) it feels very much like the beginning of the end. Monchila baggage service in evidence says it all.
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