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Indeed very sad news, but having volunteered in a donativo, unsurprising. I did what was not condoned, ie when asked, gave guidance as to an appropriate donation by comparing it to other private operations.
Nely is indeed a camino angel and her care in the albergue and as we headed out towards...
There is a Miam miam dodo for the Vézelay. Its symbols are universal. But the Dutch pilgrims website is very good indeed. I recall also that they had a guide Paris to Vézelay if you wanted to add a couple of hundred km to your camino, although I can't presently see it in their offering.
My rule of thumb for 60+ is 10 minutes rest per hour, and one day off per week. Can't say I abide by the hourly stops entirely when walking alone, but the one day off per week is essential.
And an hour for lunch.
While walking this route March 2023, I found it laugh out loud funny to hear the preferred method of pruning of olives: by chainsaw. Don't let anyone tell you that the countryside is quiet.
I stayed at Hostal Vaticano in early April 2023. It's also a bar. It appeared to be being run singlehandedly by a very stressed out but kindly man. Maybe closed at this time of year? I recall he didn't respond to my enquiry prior to my arriving.
There is a municipal albergue, Calle Nueva, 34. T...
When I flew from NZ in March 2023, the Madrid flight included in the same price the leg to Almería. The key was taking the Almería leg within 24 hours of arriving in Madrid. Unfortunately my luggage didn't go with me, but Nely, one of the amigos, took me back to the airport to collect it later...
Kiwi family, I walked the Mozárabe in March-April this year. It's pretty isolated and there were sections where I took a (very expensive) taxi on account of the distance, eg 32 or 35kms without facilities.
Alex Walker is right about streambed walking. It's not hilly, but it's not comfortable...
Jerry, it's on the Confraternity of Saint James website. It's the book by Tim Stapenhurst referred to in the first post on this thread.
I used the Buen Camino app for route finding, but the waymarking was pretty good. For accommodation I used Gronze. If you thought Almería-Granada was quiet...
There is one, sadly out of stock, a Confraternity of St James publication. I have asked about restocking but no reply.
Otherwise the Amigos in Almería will supply you an up to date pdf. Nely WhatsApped a copy to me as soon as I made contact with her. It's too big to print, but you can print off...
Kiwi family,
Yes, there is always a stamp at the unmanned albergues. It's DIY. Other places have stamps too. Yes, there is always a donation box. I don't recall if the albergues were all donativo or not. Especially between Almería and Granada, the albergues were mostly excellent.
There is also an albergue in a disused building next to the primary school. There is a shop and a bar that sold tapas, not meals. The albergue is adequate, although the shower drain was blocked when I was there in March 2023. (I'm a do-it-yourselfer, but I couldn't fix the drain.) There's a...
Marianne,
Loved your posts. Recalling my own journey earlier this year starting 6 March. Very solitary. Nely recommended a taxi from Alboloduy, about 10kms to the next village. Others who walked that section said the taxi was a good move. I'm 69, but you may be fitter and younger. At the...
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