- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2024 - which Camino? IDK!
2025 CF from SJPdP?
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Totally agree, they are extremely nice. I was there in 2021, when the closure of the albergue was giving them a huge bump and they were actually a bit frazzled. Not complaining mind you, but running themselves a bit ragged, because they also run the bar that’s there on the road right before you get to the hotel. I hope they continue to do well, these small family run places are disappearing in Spaiin just like everywhere else, and they add a special something that you just can’t get in a chain.the women who run Hotel la Payareta are really special.
I'm so looking forward to walking the San Salvador! I will begin around June 8-10 (depending on how long it takes me to walk from Logroño to León). Did you pick up the special credential for the San Salvador in León?This Camino is no walk in the park, and we haven’t even gotten to the mountains!
We did - you get it at the municipal hostel after 11am. I think it was 2 euros?I'm so looking forward to walking the San Salvador! I will begin around June 8-10 (depending on how long it takes me to walk from Logroño to León). Did you pick up the special credential for the San Salvador in León?
So excited for you! Yeayyyyyyy! Are you staying in Pajares and or Bendueños? Hope you have a great time and Buen Camino!!!we set off on our first leg
Have you seen many other peregrinos along the way? Was there plenty of room at the albergue?Day 2: La Robla > Poladura de la Tercia. Another late start at 8:45. I guess that means we’re sleeping well, but also that we were hoping that a café would be open for coffee. But, it being Sunday morning, the town was closed. We went and made our first pitstop at Buen Suceso. Unfortunately, the bar is closed because the owner is jubilado (retired - great word!). We had packed a monster sandwich, so we enjoyed a small part of that outside at the chapel at a picnic bench.
After a bit of a rest, we made our way another 4K invite to Pola de Gordon where we thoroughly enjoyed our first (and second) coffees. The tortilla and the sponge cake that came with it was a great bonus!
So, we were fueled up for the asphalt walk to Buiza, and then the strenuous climb up and over the mountains. Along the way, we saw a shepherd tending to her sheep. Also, Suzanne thought that the wolf on the lookout was real(at least for a moment). At this point we had “invested” a day and a half of fine walking, but the return on that investment was about to begin.
The track up and out of Buiza is a doozy. Practically straight up: +370m over just 3K and you start at 3700’ altitude! But, poco a poco, we made it. And, the payoff is amazing views, amazing. This day and the next were the reason I needed to bring Suzanne and walk this Camino again.
I could go on about the views, but I won’tJust watch the video!
We stopped and soaked our feet in a cold mountain steam - what a treat. Totally worth the hassle of taking shoes and socks off and on.
We missed the unmarked path across the farmer’s field to Poladura, so we made the decision to go “off piste” and take the road from San Martin to Poladura. The only vehicle we saw on the short road section was the bakery van honking its horn and delivering its bread.
We stayed at Posada el Embrujo and enjoyed relaxing in the yard and spending time with our French friends. Dinner was at 7 (sharp!) and we asked Carlos, the other peregrino to join us. He spoke no English, but we had a nice conversation with my bit of Spanish and improvising. It was a great stay!
It’s interesting and definitely different walking with Suzanne instead of being on my own. I’m hoping she’s enjoying it as much as I did, and I’m worrying about her Achilles which is acting up (not good given the ups and downs we’re in for). But, even after 33+ years of marriage, we’re very encouraging and appreciative of each other, and we have a ton of laughs - including playing cards where she keeps beating meSo, different, but just as wonderful a Camino!
Relive 'San Salvador Day 2: La Robla > Poladura (Wowza!)'
View my hike: San Salvador Day 2: La Robla > Poladura (Wowza!)www.relive.cc
I think that a bigger issue may be the huge stretch of asphalt/pavement from Pola de Gordón into Mieres and then beyond. I am no PT, but I have occasional flare-ups of tendonitis when I walk on a lot of asphalt. My PT has told me that it’s because when you walk on asphalt, the repetitive foot strike is always the same and. Walking on dirt, trails, etc, doesn’t run the same risk. As soon as I feel the pain/discomfort starting in my shins, I stop and start stretching (lots of videos online, here’s one.). It happened to me last year leaving Salamanca on the pavement, and I immediately incorporated a few of these stretches into my daily routine. Icing is also good.and I’m worrying about her Achilles which is acting up (not good given the ups and downs we’re in for
Just make sure you read Ender’s guide and you’ll be fine. Food can get tricky in a few places if you’re not aware. But, this is an amazing Camino. Enjoy!This all sounds great and is a big help! I'm starting the Salvador on May 19. Anything you can share with me will be appreciated!
Buen Camino!!!
There are few of us out here. In Poladura there were 6 in Embrujo (us and 4 Brazilians). In the albergue there were 4 (our French friends and two Spaniards).Have you seen many other peregrinos along the way? Was there plenty of room at the albergue?
Thank you! Suzanne’s Achilles did much better today. We’ll see what tomorrow brings. Thanks for the stretching tips - they’ll be put to good use!I think that a bigger issue may be the huge stretch of asphalt/pavement from Pola de Gordón into Mieres and then beyond. I am no PT, but I have occasional flare-ups of tendonitis when I walk on a lot of asphalt. My PT has told me that it’s because when you walk on asphalt, the repetitive foot strike is always the same and. Walking on dirt, trails, etc, doesn’t run the same risk. As soon as I feel the pain/discomfort starting in my shins, I stop and start stretching (lots of videos online, here’s one.). It happened to me last year leaving Salamanca on the pavement, and I immediately incorporated a few of these stretches into my daily routine. Icing is also good.
Good luck! Hoping for good weather for the etapa reina!
I don’t know anything about weather forecasting, but I heard an interview with a guy from NOAA that it is much less reliable than it used to be because of all the extremes and rapid changes caused by climate change. But hey, it’s always good to have a plan B.So, I plan to post to the group looking for suggestions about “calling an audible”. The weather further south looks fine. We’ll finish the San Salvador in Oviedo on Thursday, but may change plans away from the Primitivo. Maybe the Francés from Astorga and then on to Fisterra? (It may be crowded and we’ve done it before). Maybe get to Ponferrada and walk the Invierno/Sanabres? I know nothing about these routes. I’d love your thoughts - though maybe that should be a different thread?
Thanks again Laurie!
Bob
The dog is there but on the right side of the fence ,which, it seems, has been fixed.I am going to go out on a limb and predict that there will be no dog on our way down to San Miguel. Fingers crossed! Buen camino, Laurie
Yes, no dog was a godsend! And yes, Sandra does take reservations - you can reach her on WhatsApp. Buen Camino, it’s great!I’m looking forward each day now to your updates. I was hoping the infamous dog would not be a problem today because I’m walking by that spot solo in a few weeks and I was bitten by a “good dog” once. I’m so looking forward to staying in Bendueños and hoping it works out. Did you reserve ahead? Seems like a good idea given the steep climb at the end, but I’m not sure if Sandra accepts them.
Hi there! Thank you for your compliment!Bob, I'm sorry I did not see this "Live" thread until today, but am so over the moon to read your chronicles! I'm hoping Suzanne is feeling better by now. I loved reliving this walk through your descriptions -- it truly is an incredible, and challenging, and even more incredible pilgrimage...I'll never forget it. I'm sorry you missed Oviedo - I chose to take a bus from Mieres into Oviedo due to a bone spur making walking virtually impossible that last day. I love Oviedo...But I'm glad you're on the Invierno - and cannot imagine anyone reading this thread NOT making that recommendation (wink wink, Peregrina2000 and El Cascayal)!!! Buen camino!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?