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I was staying in San Martin at the time of the heavy rains. The water that flowed into the building came from the cloisters [the garden area] and was cleaned up when the rain eased. My room [No.445] was unaffected and I heard of no other rooms that had been impacted. Breakfast was as always...
Thanks to all for drawing my attention to the movie. I watched it yesterday and was left with a " I'm glad I watched it but I don't know why" feeling. There was so much that was not at all similar to walking a camino. I have 2 friends who are walking from Astorga this year and I hoped this would...
In 2008 I stayed in a donativo albergue in Burgos. It was very near the cathedral, and had only [from memory] 18 beds. It was above a church, the floor of the albergue was the ceiling of the church, and it was so central and close to restaurants, The hospitalero was insistent that we make our...
I went to a special occasion barbeque at Petes' place one evening, and we shared a 1978 Grange, followed by a '79 Grange [which as the pick of the two]. I don't think Andrew is quite up for buying one of those. But i'm sure he would come up with a decent offering. We will patiently wait.
I spoke to Pete yesterday, and he is back in Australia after successfully walking the Invierno in 11 days! He rewarded hmself with 2 nights in the Parador.
I have often stayed in the San Martin, and am doing so again for 3 weeks in October. The meals are mostly enjoyable, but I have been disappointed on occasions, and I usually eat elsewhere.
My mate Pete from Orange took me on my first camino in 2008, and I will alays be grateful. Pete heads off on a holiday to Ireland and England next week, and then after that flies to Spain to walk the Invierno from Ponferada. Oete is 85, and had a double knee repacement 12 months ago. I am so...
I don't know its name but there is an Italian restaurant in Rua do Vilar in Santiago where you can dine on pulpo pizza. Truly! It is my favourite pizza ever, except for anchovie pizza but as that gives me gout, a no-no when walking the camino, the pulpo pizza is No 1.
I arrived at 2.30 PM in mid-May and I was the first to arrive. Some time later 3 American women doing a slow camino came in, and our final companion, a Romanian fireman, arrived at 5 PM. So, just the five of us as pilgrims, and two hospitaleras from America and Austria. Refugio Gaucelmo at...
Hi PAK,
Buen camino! May your walk be a good one!
I have never had jet lag flying from Australia to Spain ie flying from East to Weast, and have always been able to get started the day after I arrived. The reverse is true however when I fly home going from West to East, and it takes me usually...
I am flying from Madrid to Santiago on August 31st. On Sept. 2nd I am taking the 8.00AM train to Astorga, arriving about 1.00 PM. I am staying that night at Albergue Las Aguedas in the village of Murias de Rechivalda, some 4 KM from Astorga on the way to Rabanal del Camino. Las Aguedas is on of...
The Benedictine monasery in Rabanal del Camino. Must stay at least 2 nights, but 3 nights are available. Meals with the monks, with the midday meal eaten in silence.
I have been a hospitalero 5 times, but never with 4 of us there at one time. Twice I have been one of two, once at Miraz and another time at Rabanal. Other than that Jeff Crawly has given a very good insight into what the duties of a hospitalero are. The only thing I would add to what he has...
I did the Frances in 2019 at the age of 69, and completed it in 28 days, mainly because I had an appointment the day after I arrived. To do so though I had no rest days, so if tourism in some of the wonderful places you pass through is important to you, start closer to SdC, as many people have...
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