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That is what I did in Apr/May 2019. Walked the Olvidado as far as where it meets the Salvador, then headed north to take the Primitivo to SdC. Did not see another peregrino on the Olvidado but it is a magnificent route. Well marked and there is a very good app for it.
Agree wholeheartedly about the San Martin Pinario, but please don’t tell anyone else…. The food there, especially the breakfast, is also very good and plentiful - as is the wine.
The fish market with the associated restaurants is also well worth trying. A touch on the expensive side but very good.
That is why I was taking the ‘Micky’ after perigrina2000 used the ‘real pilgrim’ in quotes on her post that I quoted. I consider it totally up to individual choice what we all do.
Is the Ponte Taboada medieval bridge the one about about 3kms after Prado? It is my favourite place on all my Caminos. I would love to have a swim there but have never found a safe way down!
Dogs do not generally worry me and I did not have any particular problems on the Invierno. I tend to carry dog treats to encourage best behaviour. However, they do seem to be more of a potential problem on the less walked routes. I walked the Olvidado in 2019 and on the Olea to Aguilar de Campoo...
In Chantada I ate at Cafe Amedeo’s. No food in the evening until 2100, but then menu la dia at 10 euros with lots of meat. Then they ask if you want more!
Not surprisingly to those who know my like of long(ish) stages I walked to Chantada. I thought it was a great stage especially after getting past the dull straight road at the start to Vide. I met 3 small yappy dogs at Barxa but I just threw them a few doggy treats and they shut up. However, the...
In MdL I stayed in the Hostal Puente Romano with a view straight onto the roman bridge in 2017. Hotel was fine and there are lots of places to eat. I tried to go to the wine tasting but got my timings wrong!
The question of difficulty is very hard to quantify from one person to another. In 2017 I wrote for my first stage of the Invierno (Ponferrada to Puente de Domingo Florez 35kms) that' it was a tough stage' and that was after starting that camino in Alicante and regularly walking 40km plus days...
In 2017 I noted that it was a lovely walk with a few hills but nothing too strenuous, reminded me of the gentle slopes up Vesuvius when I used to do the annual race. Lots of woodland and a great walk along a stream from O Pobra. Stopped at A Pobra for a coffee, luckily one cafe was open at 1100...
I remember the route as being a lovely simple walk - well marked and lovely scenery.
In 2017 I stayed in the Albergue and wrote - The albergue in Quiroga is massive and as others have mentioned can be busy with lots of school visits. That was true today, a Saturday, but the lady at the check...
Just caught up with this thread as I only started yesterday! However, as my first day (May 2017) was Ponferrada to Puente de Domingo Florez and the second day was PdDF to A Rua I am with you now. It was a while ago so my memory is a little faded but I will chip in if I can.
Sorry I was not precise enough for you!
I said - in the evening - I was probably looking for somewhere between about 2000 and 2130. Day of the week were fri and sat. (Glad I kept good records!). I am well used to searching for places to eat and asking for help but I was unlucky in these 2...
I had no trouble finding suitable accommodation when I walked the Invierno in May 17. However, I did struggle to find somewhere to eat in some places in the evening. There were definitely a few Dia picnic nights!
Not sure why you think the Mogay and Gamallo cannot be booked online as the Mogay is on booking.com and the Gamallo have their own web site. That said, it is much cheaper to go to them direct as when I was there the Mogay was 44 euros on booking.com but 26 in person.
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