LIVE from the Camino Camino Frances - new info?

[JohnMcM]

Stayed at Rocesvalles night of 15th May, looks like the basement areas have been turned into permanent sleeping areas. The laundry rooms are still available.
Larrasoana, Albergue San Nicolas, next door to the supermarket, big thumbs up from me for 10 euro. Dinner available for 11 euro was good, breakfast for 3 euro not taken.
In Cizur Menor now, Albergue Sanjuanista, fantastic pilgrims here, shared meal, laughs and kindness, all for 5 euros. Please God that people will support these less salubrious albergues before we loose them.
Buen Camino

 

[Icacos]

Please God that people will support these less salubrious albergues before we loose them.
Buen Camino

Ditto for the old treasure in San Juan de Ortega.

 

[frasert]

Ditto for the old treasure in San Juan de Ortega.

Seriously that place was grim in 2013 and people were still complaining about in when I was on CF last week

 

[Icacos]

Seriously that place was grim in 2013 and people were still complaining about in when I was on CF last week

2013 - yes, that's when I was there. And there will always be complainers. Seriously, people need to lighten up.

 

[frasert]

2013 - yes, that's when I was there. And there will always be complainers. Seriously, people need to lighten up.

It was grubby especially showers/ toilet area. I heard the same complaints this year. Why bother walk onto Ages apparently the albergue is wonderful

 

[Cailin O Eire]

Roncevelles albergue still no need to book I presume ahead for any place first week of June between St. Jean and Estella over 5 days. I'll post any gems I find along those sections
Thanks for the up to date info

 

[Rebekah Scott]

One person's "grim" and "grubby" is another person's "treasure!"
Interesting...

 

[mspath]

One person's "grim" and "grubby" is another person's "treasure!"
Interesting...

That's what helps to make the art world so exciting! A chacun son gout/to each his own (taste).

 

[Icacos]

Sometimes one needs to look beyond the "grim" and "grubby" to find the "treasure."

 

[fiona99]

San Juan was such a lovely place to stay....but due to numbers had to open extra beds that had not been aired....we're quite damp in fact....first night I slept fully clothed and in sleeping bag just to keep warm... .would I go back....of course x

 

[fiona99]

Also called in to be nosy at San Anton....too early for me to stop.....had lovely chat with sheffieldJames...volunteer hospitelero.....oh how I wish I had stayed there.....also Bercianos another donative.....we had lovely supper served at tables in the street as it was so hot at 730pm on 12th may 15.unforgettable evening.....thank you x

 

[trevorcc]

In 2013 I stayed at San Juan de Ortega, missed staying in 2014 but after two and hopefully a third next year San Jaun was one of my special moments, I awoke arounf 4am to go to the tilets and whilst walking around the balcony I looked up and was struck by the beauty of the sky filling the courtyard and just stayed looking , always remembered.

 

[Icacos]

In 2013 I stayed at San Juan de Ortega, missed staying in 2014 but after two and hopefully a third next year San Jaun was one of my special moments, I awoke arounf 4am to go to the tilets and whilst walking around the balcony I looked up and was struck by the beauty of the sky filling the courtyard and just stayed looking , always remembered.

So happy to read this! I can just imagine what it was like for you standing on the balcony overlooking the cloister with the night sky streaming in. I, too, took a night time walk to the toilet along that balcony, but it was raining at the time. I couldn't help but think what a magical experience it would have been in good weather under a full moon. I think I would have dragged my sleeping bag out there and slept out under the stars.

 

[VNwalking]

San Juan was such a lovely place to stay

San Jaun was one of my special moments, I awoke arounf 4am to go to the tilets and whilst walking around the balcony I looked up and was struck by the beauty of the sky filling the courtyard and just stayed looking , always remembered.

I will always remember San Juan for the delicious sopa de ajo...and the unbelievable piercing cold. It was -1C inside. This was this March, the middle of the month. Would I stay there again? Maybe..it would depend on the weather!

 

[OTH86]

It was grubby especially showers/ toilet area. I heard the same complaints this year. Why bother walk onto Ages apparently the albergue is wonderful

Last Fall I walked on to Ages -- one of the nicest little places I experienced on the Camino!!

 

[VNwalking]

Yes, quite agree. Had a lovely breakfast in Ages at the sweetest place...on the left as you come into town, where the Camino takes a sharp right turn. it was one of my favorite stops on the whole way and apparently it's also an albergue. We were regretting our freezing cold night when we could have been here.

 

[paul.ferris]

Sometimes one needs to look beyond the "grim" and "grubby" to find the "treasure."

A Camino without a bit of 'grim and grubby' is lacking in treasure.

 

[paul.ferris]

I think that we need to stop rating albergues. It is enough of a gift that volunteers and donors put in their hours to offer us a smile, a roof and a welcome bed at almost no cost.

 

[Icacos]

A Camino without a bit of 'grim and grubby' is lacking in treasure.

Ha! A kindred spirit! You hit the nail right on the head. I am eternally grateful.

A friend spent three days with me at the beginning of my Camino, so we could visit. She insisted that we stay in hotels .... said something about "our standards." Huh? Pilgrims have standards?

 

[mspath]

I think that we need to stop rating albergues. It is enough of a gift that volunteers and donors put in their hours to offer us a smile, a roof and a welcome bed at almost no cost.

Indeed; such gifts are true blessings. All I have ever wanted while walking the camino these past 10 years is strength to take it as it comes, to be able to enjoy the good as well as bear the bad. After all this is life. Grateful at the end of each day for simple shelter, a place to sleep (preferably a bottom bunk ), working toilet, hot shower, something to eat and when possible good companionship.

February 2006 the path to Villafranca Montes de Oca was covered with several inches of snow. Walking had become dangerous. At the simple municipal albergue no one was about, but the front door was unlocked and one dormitory was open. No heat in the radiators, but piles of blankets and a hot plate. Considering the alternative it was great! Mid afternoon I snuggled into my sleeping bag; outside the storm steadily intensified. As night fell the radiators started up. Warm and sheltered how lucky I was!

 

[paul.ferris]

Ha! A kindred spirit! You hit the nail right on the head. I am eternally grateful.

A friend spent three days with me at the beginning of my Camino, so we could visit. She insisted that we stay in hotels .... said something about "our standards." Huh? Pilgrims have standards?

Yes, Icacos, it is a pilgrimage not a 'Club Med' vacation. I truly think that the more basic the experience the more you get out of it. I sure did appreciate a separate room and toilet from time to time though

 

[Icacos]

Yes, Icacos, it is a pilgrimage not a 'Club Med' vacation. I truly think that the more basic the experience the more you get out of it. I sure did appreciate a separate room and toilet from time to time though

I agree completely. I had many basic experiences and, although I found some of them quite uncomfortable, I persevered, and like to think I found good in all of them. I also well remember the three days I spent nursing an injury in León, and the pure bliss of having my very own room and bath while doing so. Yes, the Camino is full of treasures; one needs just be open to receive them.

 

[Rhysmike]

Stayed at Rocesvalles night of 15th May, looks like the basement areas have been turned into permanent sleeping areas. The laundry rooms are still available.
Larrasoana, Albergue San Nicolas, next door to the supermarket, big thumbs up from me for 10 euro. Dinner available for 11 euro was good, breakfast for 3 euro not taken.
In Cizur Menor now, Albergue Sanjuanista, fantastic pilgrims here, shared meal, laughs and kindness, all for 5 euros. Please God that people will support these less salubrious albergues before we loose them.
Buen Camino

Agree with that. How busy was Roncesvalles in mid May?

 

[KaridadP]

Agree with that. How busy was Roncesvalles in mid May?

Just left Roncesvalles today May 25 for Zubiri. Very clean, new design (4 to a space), efficient, a bit brusque. Bad internet, you have to gonto Cafe Sabrina for any access.

What they should tell you in Orisson since there was a madhouse for laundry, is that in Roncesvalles, hospitaleros will put your clothes is washer and dryer for EU 2.70.

Romcevalles is worth just a visit. We got a discount tour of the grounda by Mercedes. She knows so much and I left with a much deeper appreciation of its historical significance for Navarre.
It has been that wet-cold-thick overcast that chills me to the bone and slightly windy

 

[Rhysmike]

Thanks for the update.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Just left Roncesvalles today May 25 for Zubiri. Very clean, new design (4 to a space), efficient, a bit brusque. Bad internet, you have to gonto Cafe Sabrina for any access.

What they should tell you in Orisson since there was a madhouse for laundry, is that in Roncesvalles, hospitaleros will put your clothes is washer and dryer for EU 2.70.

Romcevalles is worth just a visit. We got a discount tour of the grounda by Mercedes. She knows so much and I left with a much deeper appreciation of its historical significance for Navarre.
It has been that wet-cold-thick overcast that chills me to the bone and slightly windy

Thank you for the info Kari. Buen Camino!!

 

[Icacos]

Romcevalles is worth just a visit. We got a discount tour of the grounda by Mercedes. She knows so much and I left with a much deeper appreciation of its historical significance for Navarre.

Gosh, this sounds like it would have been most interesting; I had not realized there was any such tour available. I recall being intrigued by the floor in the hotel lobby and reading that it was, at least at some point, typical of that region. So many things to keep in mind for next time.

 

[mspath]

For more info re visiting Roncesvalles monastery and museum with a guide as mentioned above by KaridadP see the website www.roncesvalles.es

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

For more info re visiting Roncesvalles monastery and museum with a guide as mentioned above by KaridadP see the website www.roncesvalles.es

Thank you for the great link. Loads of data there!!!!

 

[fiona99]

Have really appriciated all the Albergues along the Camino.....everyone different but special in their own way.....my favourites Trinidad De Arte and the donative in Bercianos.....wonderful brother played the organ especially for the three drowned rats that turned up on the doorstep.....and at Bercianos we had wonderful meal at tables in the street.....it was so hot that day.....thank you for wonderful memories.

 

[fiona99]

Have really appriciated all the Albergues along the Camino.....everyone different but special in their own way.....my favourites Trinidad De Arte and the donative in Bercianos.....wonderful brother played the organ especially for the three drowned rats that turned up on the doorstep.....and at Bercianos we had wonderful meal at tables in the street.....it was so hot that day.....thank you for wonderful memories.

Would also like to add Santa Cristina 3 Porta De Pena Santiago.....near cathedral ...lovely courtyard very clean and very lovely lady who looks after you very well . Thank you x