Confraternity of St James albergue

[Hansel]

Looking to stay in the Albergue run by the confraternity of st james on the camino frances, currently a day from Leon, but couldn't find it on their website, or in the small booklet for 2017/2018,maybe too tired when I started looking, do you have the name of the refuge and town?
Thanks Bill

 

[thomryng]

It is Refuge Gaucelmo in Rabanal. One of my favourites on the Camino!

 

[scruffy1]

And DO go to mass in the evening to hear the Gregorian chants-right across the square!

 

[Kanga]

I don’t think you can book @Hansel, which is why you may be having trouble finding it online. When you get to Rabanal walk up the street and you will find it beside the little church. If it is not open when you arrive, there will be a notice on the door with the opening time, so line up with the other pilgrims by placing your pack in a line. And don’t wander off too far! It operates on the original “refugio” principles - no reserving so not even for companions - you must be there in person, and only for those with no vehicle support, ie walking and carrying their own packs.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Be warned that the queuing can start very early at this time of year especially if it's hot. By Early I mean by 10am and they usually don't open until 1.30 after the hospitaleros have had lunch.

Alternatively El Tesin as you enter the village on your left is good - you can stand at the julliet balcony and wave to entering pilgrims and so is El Refugio Hostaria (Tonio's) on the other side of the church.

Down the hill on the village square you have Pilar's set around a courtyard and always buzzing or the Municipal.

Kanga is right, walkers/cyclists/horse riders are the rule. When I worked there I went into Astorga on my day off and took my pack in to bring back supplies. Waiting for the return bus I got talking to an American lady who assumed I was a pilgrim. We got off the bus together at Pilar's and I took the short cut through the back garden and was in reception in time for her to swear she'd walked all the way in from Astorga - and then she saw my face . . . Be sure your sins will find you out!

 

[Hansel]

It is Refuge Gaucelmo in Rabanal. One of my favourites on the Camino!

Thanks, will check my map

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I was there this afternoon. I hope your reception is more humane than the one I got!

 

[Hansel]

I was there this afternoon. I hope your reception is more humane than the one I got!

Oh dear, hope so too, how many days are you from Leon?

 

[donalomahony]

I was there a few days ago about 12 midday. On that particular day it did not open until 14.00. (Usually 13.00) no queue. Most had gone to Albergue Pilar beside the municipal Albergue. The food in Pilar was excellent. Albergue Pilar a bit cramped but reasonably organized. Breakfast from 6am €3

https://albergueelpilar.com/

Vespers in Church at 19.00 a great camino experience.

 

[NomadBoomer]

I was there this afternoon. I hope your reception is more humane than the one I got!

Oh that's a shame. It all depends on who is volunteering. The couple when I was there last September were lovely. It is one of the alburges I plan to stay at again this time if only for English afternoon tea in the garden.

 

[Hansel]

I don’t think you can book @Hansel, which is why you may be having trouble finding it online. When you get to Rabanal walk up the street and you will find it beside the little church. If it is not open when you arrive, there will be a notice on the door with the opening time, so line up with the other pilgrims by placing your pack in a line. And don’t wander off too far! It operates on the original “refugio” principles - no reserving so not even for companions - you must be there in person, and only for those with no vehicle support, ie walking and carrying their own packs.

I found it in my booklet from the confraternity, once I knew where to look, looks like I'm still about two days to go to Rabanal del Camino staying at Villar de Mazarife, at Albergue Paraiso de Jesus, has a small pool which was welcome, anyone else on the Frances nearby?

 

[Hansel]

Oh that's a shame. It all depends on who is volunteering. The couple when I was there last September were lovely. It is one of the alburges I plan to stay at again this time if only for English afternoon tea in the garden.

Might keep going up the hill, will see how the feet and legs are doing.

 

[Hansel]

Oh that's a shame. It all depends on who is volunteering. The couple when I was there last September were lovely. It is one of the alburges I plan to stay at again this time if only for English afternoon tea in the garden.

Spoke to a nice lady, but got there about eleven am, so kept going to the next pueblo.

 

[nycwalking]

Spoke to a nice lady, but got there about eleven am, so kept going to the next pueblo.

Stayiing in Foncebadon then?

 

[Diane Borden]

This was my FAVORITE stay! Loved the short pilgrims mass in the evening. I even got to be an English reader! No reservations - first come basis.

 

[Hansel]

Stayiing in Foncebadon then?

Yeah stayed in Foncebadon, now on the home straight, 140 km to Santiago.