Camino Canal Boat near Frómista.

[aname4me]

There appears to be a Boat operating along the Canal between (just past) Boadilla del Camino and the Locks at Frómista.

Does anyone has any Info, or can share their experience?

 

[Dsavid Keyte]

The Canal de castilla was built to carry grain from around Medina del campo to the Northern coast,there is a tourist boat that operates from Medina the round trip cruise takes 2 hours.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

See also, from earlier this year: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/cruising-the-canal-de-castilla.62597/

 

[rappahannock_rev]

See also: https://en.calameo.com/read/00520790612235f8deff3

 

[KinkyOne]

Canal de Castilla was not only built for transport (S-N) but also for irrigation of the grain fields (N-S).
And Medina del Campo is on Camino de Madrid if that's of any interest

 

[scruffy1]

The walk from the En El Camino albergue in Boadilla del Camino is very pleasant wouldn't want to shorten it even with a nice barge ride. Fromista does have the wonderful Iglesia de San Martin de Fromista – look up for the Romesque column capitals and just down the street to the right, in the square, we sailors can find Saint Elmo in his boat - not too much else to entice a quick entry into the town.

 

[Anniesantiago]

The walk from the En El Camino albergue in Boadilla del Camino is very pleasant wouldn't want to shorten it even with a nice barge ride. Fromista does have the wonderful Iglesia de San Martin de Fromista – look up for the Romesque column capitals and just down the street to the right, in the square, we sailors can find Saint Elmo in his boat - not too much else to entice a quick entry into the town.

That's right, it's a beautiful walk, and Fromista has the best pork chops I've ever eaten in my life!

 

[Anniesantiago]

The walk from the En El Camino albergue in Boadilla del Camino is very pleasant wouldn't want to shorten it even with a nice barge ride. Fromista does have the wonderful Iglesia de San Martin de Fromista – look up for the Romesque column capitals and just down the street to the right, in the square, we sailors can find Saint Elmo in his boat - not too much else to entice a quick entry into the town.

Hey Scruffy, I tried looking for En El Camino albergue to book lodging in March. I've stayed there before, but could only find private room reservations online. Do you know if they allow you to reserve pilgrim beds? Have they changed to only private now? And the photo to the entrance looks a lot different too. I'm a little confused.

 

[naplesdon]

Eduardo runs the hotel next door with the "grander entrance." It has first class private accommodations. He also runs the albergue as well and spends his days there. I am not sure if he runs the albergue on a first come, first serve basis.

 

[Kathar1na]

Does anyone has any Info, or can share their experience?

What kind of additional info are you looking for? As the poster says, the boat operates every day except Monday and if you are walking on the Camino in the direction of Santiago you can take it in the morning or around noon, at 9.30 or 12.30. It covers a distance of about 3 km. It moves slowly. So you either walk on the towpath along the canal or you glide past it on the boat. The poster shows the arrival in Fromista and below is an image of the starting point shortly after Boadilla where the Camino Frances hits the canal. You can't miss it, I guess, so the main question is whether you will arrive there at one of the daily departure times. The second question is whether there are places left during their season as it caters mainly for visitors to Fromista who want to go on a short boat trip there and back on the canal.

 

[Davey Boyd]

I have walked this section quite a few times, yet never seen or knew about the boat. Everyday is a schoolday!

I really don't like Fromista, I have always felt unwelcome from the locals in the bars there. (The town has a bit of a reputation amongst the Spanish too, - though that is probably undeserved). And (apart from the church) it really is not pretty. I always walk on the extra few km to Poblacion and the excellent albergue La Finca.

Davey

 

[trecile]

I always walk on the extra few km to Poblacion and the excellent albergue La Finca.

I absolutely love La Finca. One of the best albergues on the Frances. So worth the extra 4km from Fromista.

Servicio desactivado

Lower "bunk" - note that there is a mini staircase, not a ladder to the upper "bunk"



Upper "bunk"

 

[Kathar1na]

I have walked this section quite a few times, yet never seen or knew about the boat.

They started the boat trip only last year in August 2018. And now that I had a closer look at it, I see that the poster is also from last year . So it's anyone's guess whether the days and times for departure are still the same in 2019.

I remember what my feet felt like when we walked to Fromista to stay there so a slow moving boat would have been a great temptation but there was no boat. I don't remember anything negative about Fromista. I stayed there twice and would not hesitate to stay there again. I would visit San Martín each time I'm there and there's some other stuff to explore if so inclined ...

 

[Davey Boyd]

I absolutely love La Finca. One of the best albergues on the Frances. So worth the extra 4km from Fromista.

Servicio desactivado

Lower "bunk" - note that there is a mini staircase, not a ladder to the upper "bunk"

View attachment 64054

Upper "bunk"
View attachment 64055

I love this place so much! Plus free washing machines and excellent food. First time I was there just after it opened 7 pilgrims decided to stay a second night! And the guy who I was walking with decided to marry the hospitalera!

Davey

 

[trecile]

And the guy who I was walking with decided to marry the hospitalera!

Was she the blonde woman from California?

 

[aname4me]

What kind of additional info are you looking for? As the poster says, the boat operates every day except Monday and if you are walking on the Camino in the direction of Santiago you can take it in the morning or around noon, at 9.30 or 12.30. It covers a distance of about 3 km. It moves slowly. So you either walk on the towpath along the canal or you glide past it on the boat. The poster shows the arrival in Fromista and below is an image of the starting point shortly after Boadilla where the Camino Frances hits the canal. You can't miss it, I guess, so the main question is whether you will arrive there at one of the daily departure times. The second question is whether there are places left during their season as it caters mainly for visitors to Fromista who want to go on a short boat trip there and back on the canal.

View attachment 64053

My main questions were.... Where and When

So (if I understand correctly) they have built a "Dock" where the Camino joins the Canal Road and they arrive there at 9:30'ish and Noon'ish.

Good.

On My Camino (next Month) I assume I will be Staying in Castrojeriz and walking to Frómista (25.5Km).

Sounds like 9:30 is too early and Noon is late'ish..... but doable.

When I get to Castrojeriz, I will call the number on the Poster, to check availability, and time.

(I hope it works with my VERY limited Spanish)


Thanks

 

[henrythedog]

I love this place so much! Plus free washing machines and excellent food. First time I was there just after it opened 7 pilgrims decided to stay a second night! And the guy who I was walking with decided to marry the hospitalera!

Davey

I just settled for a sello, your companion showed a much greater degree of commitment.

 

[Davey Boyd]

They started the boat trip only last year in August 2018. And now that I had a closer look at it, I see that the poster is also from last year . So it's anyone's guess whether the days and times for departure are still the same in 2019.

I remember what my feet felt like when we walked to Fromista and stayed there so I would have taken the boat without hesitation but there was no boat. I don't remember anything negative about Fromista. I stayed there twice and would not hesitate to stay there again. I would visit San Martín each time I'm there and there's some other stuff to explore if so inclined ...

Ah so the boat is quite new!

I have been to Fromista 5 or 6 times, I don't remember anything but rudeness. Could just be me though! Anyway, since La Finca opened I have no reason to stop there ever again.

Davey

 

[Davey Boyd]

Was she the blonde woman from California?

Yeah that's her. She stayed the night it opened, then stayed semi permanently. Last heard (2017) she was in discussion about becoming a partner in the business. I will have to contact them on facecrap to see how they are getting on. I think we may have had this discussion before Trecile!

Davey

 

[aname4me]

I have twice stayed at Hostal Camino De Santiago in Frómista (far end of Town)

Very friendly. Welcomes you with a (free) COLD Beer or Soda.

Within a Block are a Supermecado and a Bar/Restaurant.

I plan on staying there again.

 

[Kathar1na]

I have twice stayed at Hostal Camino De Santiago in Frómista (far end of Town)
Very friendly. Welcomes you with a (free) COLD Beer or Soda.

Excellent choice . We stayed there once, the other time it was unfortunately fully booked. Very good memories, the lady was very welcoming and helpful. Spanish language only, though, but I'm quite happy with this, despite my poor command of the Spanish language.

 

[scruffy1]

Hey Scruffy, I tried looking for En El Camino albergue to book lodging in March. I've stayed there before, but could only find private room reservations online. Do you know if they allow you to reserve pilgrim beds? Have they changed to only private now? And the photo to the entrance looks a lot different too. I'm a little confused.

Don't know, I always showed up at the back gate and walked in - one of my favorite albergues!

 

[naplesdon]

Fromista has some top rated restaurant worth the stay just for the food

 

[Anniesantiago]

Now that I am thinking about it, I'm wondering if that rare pork you get in Fromista could be causing the stomach problems in Carrion. I never eat rare pork, but remember eating "the best pork chops ever" in Fromista and I remember they were still bloody, which concerned me, but I threw caution to wind. I did not get sick, nor did Joe, but that was many years ago. I understand people are being cautioned about pork again.

Just a thought.

 

[trecile]

Yeah that's her. She stayed the night it opened, then stayed semi permanently. Last heard (2017) she was in discussion about becoming a partner in the business. I will have to contact them on facecrap to see how they are getting on. I think we may have had this discussion before Trecile!

Davey

Yes, I think that we have had this conversation before. When I met her in 2017 she was looking to open her own albergue modeled after La Finca. I was curious if she has found a place.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Yes, I think that we have had this conversation before. When I met her in 2017 she was looking to open her own albergue modeled after La Finca. I was curious if she has found a place.

I will have a chat with them and let you know. It means going on facebook though!

Davey

 

[TAF]

I recently walked through Fromista. You can do a trip down the canal on this boat and there is a reduced price for pilgrims, I think it was €2 for a half hour trip. They also have a stamp for your credencial!

 

[jsalt]

When I get to Castrojeriz, I will call the number on the Poster, to check availability, and time.

When I walked past the jetty on 1 March this year, the (permanent-looking) sign said it runs every day from Wednesday to Monday. No times given. Pilgrim rate 2 euros.

 

[JabbaPapa]

It's a traditional means of doing one's Camino, so even a crazy "purist" like myself would be happy with it.

Looks like fun, and that particular stretch is always a bit of a chore by foot.

 

[aname4me]

Today I stopped at the Town before and asked.... when does the boat arrive?
1pm she said
We rushed ahead and waited... nothing
We phoned the number on the sign.... They are only running at 5pm today.... and it was full.
Nice idea.... but not reliable

 

[longwayhome]

When a gaggle of tourists and a BOAT appeared surprisingly out of the dust haze of a passing sheep flock around noon on a late summer day, my poor tired brain struggled to understand what I was seeing in the middle of the meseta. As I came over the rise I was surrounded and questioned by some lovely Spanish seniors on a day trip from Fromista. Was I walking to Santiago? Si. Was I walking sola?. Si. I was "tan valiente" , But where was my hombre? I understood that I suddenly had many prayers to carry to Santiago, was hugged some more until they reboarded. I kept pace with the boat most of the way into Fromista Thanks for the memory!