countrycasita
New Member
Just got back from doing the first ten days of the Camino Frances from St Jean. Two quick notes on Albergues in the early stages: At Villamayor de Monjardin, the municipal albergue is closed after the roof fell in during the winter. Apparently there is some question about how to raise the money for the repairs so this could be closed for some time... this leaves only the 25 place Dutch-run Christian place at the top of the village. I found it delightful and friendly with a communal meal - but it was full by about 2pm and they were ordering taxis to ferry people on to Los Arcos. Also, although the number is given in Brierley, they don't actually take advanced telephone bookings.
Secondly I failed to find the Santa Maria hostel in Viana and was told in the bar opposite the church that it too was closed. Again that puts pressure on the main Andres Munoz albergue (which was pretty ordinary and had 3-level bunks). On the bright side, the Palacio hotel right near the albergue gave the best evening meal of the trip - quality and value (9.50 euros).
Incidentally, I was surprised how early places filled up....mid- afternoon by and large. Is it like this all the time or is late April/ early May particularly busy??
Secondly I failed to find the Santa Maria hostel in Viana and was told in the bar opposite the church that it too was closed. Again that puts pressure on the main Andres Munoz albergue (which was pretty ordinary and had 3-level bunks). On the bright side, the Palacio hotel right near the albergue gave the best evening meal of the trip - quality and value (9.50 euros).
Incidentally, I was surprised how early places filled up....mid- afternoon by and large. Is it like this all the time or is late April/ early May particularly busy??