Easter Rush and the Meseta...

[dgallen]

Thirteen days in from an April 1st start and onward to the Meseta. When planning my camino I screwed up my dates and realized in horror that my arrival in Burgos was Saturday and the start of Easter week holidays. So staying in Burgos is not an option (hotels 3x the price if you can find one) and I'm sure the Burgos muni would be full early. Burgos is usually my "luxury stay" i.e. private bathroom!

So off to another 11km to Tarjados I trudged. La Fabrica (a fav) was completely prebooked but did get a bed at La Casa de Beli. Judging by the pilgrims here in the garden now, I'm sure its full too. In years past Tarjados would normally be a breakfast stop... hmm busy camino?

Btw I'm a little hesitant to say busy" after making a post on the APOC Facebook site and being greeted by the usual "camino always provides" or "try to stay mid stage" (you mean like Tarjados?) etc. Since these websites promote folks to transport their packs and walk shorter 10km sections, middle/quiet sections dont exist anymore... not complaining, just sayin'. Oh, and no more posts on APOC for me .

A couple days ago in Belorado I thought the pilgrim traffic had spread out, but today I followed an Easter herd out of Burgo around noon, so thereyou go. If its crazy busy over the next few days a jump from Fromista to Leon and Oviedo for the Primitivo may be calling my name!

PS. Lots of choices in Belorado these days so thats good. Heard the magical Granon church albergue was full early, I Santo Domingo muni was busy but not overflowing to the old "house of snore" side.

 

[Bradypus]

If its crazy busy over the next few days a jump from Fromista to Leon and Oviedo for the Primitivo may be calling my name!

Might be worth asking people walking the Primitivo right now what it is like there before you jump ship. Probably a lot fewer people walking there but also a lot fewer beds to go round!

 

[dgallen]

Might be worth asking people walking the Primitivo right now what it is like there before you jump ship. Probably a lot fewer people walking there but also a lot fewer beds to go round!

Yep will do. It would be my 3rd Primitivo so know the bed situation. Will probably drop an email to David at Bodenaya to see how busy he is... plus hopefully Easter crowds will have already passed through Oviedo through Lugo.

 

[Thomas1962]

In Ferreira (halfway Lugo and Melide) it is still quit these days. No problem at all to find a bed. When I look at the reservation in our albergue Ponte Ferreira for in about a week, it doesn't look like there is a big wave coming from Oviedo yet.

 

[t2andreo]

This "pig in the python" thing will continue for another two weeks or so. Semana Santa (Holy Week) always sees an annual spike in pilgrims. It starts on Palm Sunday weekend - NOW, and continues until the end of the week immediately following Easter - NEXT WEEK.

Many Europeans have a bunch of national holidays around Easter. They add a few personal days and get a two-week vacation / holiday. Many people use this time to do a Camino, or a segment of a longer Camino.

Between these Camino-centric folks and the increased number of festivals and religious observances surrounding the Easter holiday, hotels are frequently over-subscribed. Try to book ahead when you can. You can use Booking.com even for some private alburges.

If this is not possible, always have a Plan B for lodging. Consider staying at the last place BEFORE entering your target town, or the first place AFTER your target town for the evening. This usually works.

Hope this helps... Good luck!

 

[Annelies]

I was yesterday in Grañon. In the church alberge. 10 people. Very nice!

Today in Belorado. Very quiet.

 

[LTfit]

In Ferreira (halfway Lugo and Melide) it is still quit these days. No problem at all to find a bed. When I look at the reservation in our albergue Ponte Ferreira for in about a week, it doesn't look like there is a big wave coming from Oviedo yet.

As Ton says, all is fine on the Primitivo. I started from Oviedo on the 11th and am now in A Fonsegrada. Have stayed in Grado (8 pilgrims), La Espina (3 where I was and a handful in the other - Bodenaya was closed for the day), Samblismo (6), Grandes de Salime (around 8-10) and now around 7.

There may be a jump as of Wednesday from Lugo as some start there to get a Compostela. As I am planning a short day from Castroverde into Lugo to visit the city, it should not effect me (hopefully).

The Primitivo is drop dead beautiful but no walk in the park. It is much more physically demanding than the Francés.

Ultreia.

 

[LTfit]

As an update from the Primitivo: the hospitalera in Castroverde said that there were 28 pilgrims here yesterday and 40 in Lugo!

 

[dgallen]

As an update from the Primitivo: the hospitalera in Castroverde said that there were 28 pilgrims here yesterday and 40 in Lugo!

Many thanks for the updates on the Primitivo... Will make the jump tomorrow.