Injured. Requesting suggestions for a plan B

[Pacific NW pilgrim]

Hola! I am currently on the Norte route, very close to Bilbao. It has been wonderful and beautiful, but I overdid it, and my ankles are very sore. In retrospect, I should have taped my ankles earlier and/or sent my pack ahead each day. It also took me two long days of walking to get to a place where I could rest for two nights, which exacerbated the problem.
I am here in Spain until June 20, and I've done the full Frances route twice, so getting to Santiago again is not a priority. What is my priority is finding an affordable place where I can leave my pack in a room and take gentle, mostly level walks as my ankles heal, and to find a way to have a meaningful and enjoyable time without destroying my body. I am 69, so it takes a little longer to heal than when I was younger. I would prefer a rural area or small town. A shared room/dorm is fine, and I would be happy to help out as long as it doesn't involve much standing. I can speak intermediate level Spanish, and I can cook. I can easily get to a good transportation hub (Bilbao), so location isn't that important. Suggestions, please!

 

[Flog]

You might consider contacting the donativo albergue in Guemes, close to Santander (a couple of bus journeys would get you there). Email or phone Ernesto and explain your situation and offer your services. It's a big place, they have many volunteers from different countries helping out in various ways. I have stayed there a couple of times. You will find the contact details on Gronze.

Good luck, you are wise to rest up, but you also have the toughest part of the Norte behind you.

 

[thejoker]

You could pick 5 paradores, getting steadily closer to where you are flying out from, and book 3 nights in each. Spend time relaxing while being in interesting surroundings with delicious food.

 

[henrythedog]

If you go for the Paradores option (which would be excellent) - join the Amigos de Paradores straight away; it takes moments online. There are often offers available.

 

[naplesdon]

Several years ago I stayed in very nice BnB in Laredo. There is good bus service from Bilbao, the town is small and very flat and has a broad beachfront and lots of restaurants.

 

[jjev]

 

[traveler]

If you go for the Paradores option (which would be excellent) - join the Amigos de Paradores straight away; it takes moments online. There are often offers available.

Also, identify to the parador that you are an injured, credentialed pilgrim that needs respite. We have been injured twice and needed to stop for a week or two--once this past December--and in both cases, we were treated very well by one or more paradors with good rooms (an unasked for suite) and very much reduced pricing (pilgrim rate for regular room) that included breakfast. The first time, we arrived at the parador asked for a room and were told that that nothing was available (completo). We said that my wife was injured and that we had just come from the clinic and needed something for week and asked them for a recommendation. They immediately found a room at the parador (a two-room suite) offered a very reasonable rate.

And good luck healing!

 

[Pacific NW pilgrim]

Thank you all for the great suggestions! Plan B is taking the bus to Laredo tomorrow, resting my ankles by walking without pack on level-ish ground, and then, hopefully, continuing.

 

[buridan]

Hola! I am currently on the Norte route, very close to Bilbao. It has been wonderful and beautiful, but I overdid it, and my ankles are very sore. In retrospect, I should have taped my ankles earlier and/or sent my pack ahead each day. It also took me two long days of walking to get to a place where I could rest for two nights, which exacerbated the problem.
I am here in Spain until June 20, and I've done the full Frances route twice, so getting to Santiago again is not a priority. What is my priority is finding an affordable place where I can leave my pack in a room and take gentle, mostly level walks as my ankles heal, and to find a way to have a meaningful and enjoyable time without destroying my body. I am 69, so it takes a little longer to heal than when I was younger. I would prefer a rural area or small town. A shared room/dorm is fine, and I would be happy to help out as long as it doesn't involve much standing. I can speak intermediate level Spanish, and I can cook. I can easily get to a good transportation hub (Bilbao), so location isn't that important. Suggestions, please!

Takeba train to san sebastian and get a hostel in town, i stayed in hoda, it was good.

 

[Corned Beef]

If you can walk from Laredo to Cicero, you can take the FEVE train towards Santander.

There is one at 10:34 Spanish time (but may be too late for that) or another at 15:32 or 21:34. Takes just over an hour to get to Santander.

 

[NathanNL]

Thank you all for the great suggestions! Plan B is taking the bus to Laredo tomorrow, resting my ankles by walking without pack on level-ish ground, and then, hopefully, continuing.

I think we met yesterday when checking into the hostal. Our brief conversation was the deciding factor for me to take two days of rest now. Thanks!

I wish you a good recovery. Buen camino!

 

[Walkerooni]

Just a question...the OP says she’s looking for affordable accommodation, and several are suggesting a series of Paradores. Am I missing something?

 

[naplesdon]

I believe the OP spent some time recovering Laredo. No feedback and hopefully she is on the road again.

 

[Pacific NW pilgrim]

I believe the OP spent some time recovering Laredo. No feedback and hopefully she is on the road again.

Unfortunately, I am still in Laredo, my ankle is still injured, and I am going home early. But the time I spent on the Norte, from Irún to Zamudio, was fantastic, and I will be back. Buen Camino a todos peregrinos!