enjoying the forum

[frmikeminn]

I'm Michael and will be traveling on the Camino in April and May. It's my second Camino and I'm looking forward to it. My daughter is traveling with me. I want to thank the people who have put so much time and effort into this forum and the people who watch it daily to help answer all the questions people have. I've learned a lot and know I will enjoy the trip more with the information I have received. I also remember with a good deal of fondness my time in Rabanal. My feet with pretty beat up by the time I got there and the people running the refuge were great. a hot shower, a clothes spinner and a great cider at a nearby pub..... ahhhhh.

now to find my daughter and go shopping!

 

[vinotinto]

I also remember with a good deal of fondness my time in Rabanal. My feet with pretty beat up by the time I got there and the people running the refuge were great. a hot shower, a clothes spinner and a great cider at a nearby pub..... ahhhhh.

Me too - a great albergue, nice folks, and the spinner was a godsend! The pubs were good as well, although an electrical storm had knocked out internet access while I was there - kind of a bummer, but oh, well. I stayed on for two days in the monastery, which was a good period of reflection - and partying with the albergue gals and priests. What a combination!... :wink: :arrow:

 

[Arn]

Vinotinto wrote:and the spinner was a godsend!

VT...did I miss something in the translation here?

Is that something like a wringer or some such?

Arn

 

[vinotinto]

Is that something like a wringer or some such?

It's basically a no-frills clothes dryer, about the size of an office-style trash container. It uses centrifugal force to draw the water out the clothes.

The internal cylinder spins, and the water drains out through a spigot into a bowl (or just on the ground, I suppose). It only takes a couple of minutes to get your clothes almost dry - an hour or so on the line will take them the rest of the way...very nice!

It does have one drawback - one small item of mine (an arch support sock) was sucked between the inner and outer layer, and I looked all over the place for it until I figured out what happened. Luckily it had stuck close to the top where I could reach it...:arrow:

 

[brendan nolan]

Hi Vinotinto,
I recognise that spinner! You must have stayed at hte 'English' refugio - Gaucelmo - in Rabanal. I spent many a happy afternoon last year, as hospitalero, drying pilgrim clothing. The expressions of gratitude at dry clothing were worth a fortune!
What dates were you and frmikeminn at Rabanal - we may have met, if not, thanks for the praise of the CSJ hospitaleros - we try to provide a real pilgrim welcome.
Brendan

 

[vinotinto]

What dates were you and frmikeminn at Rabanal

I was there around the 14-16th of August 2007. The first night I stayed in Gaucelmo, and then I spent two nights in the monastery before heading off into the hills. The albergue was one of my favorites - good accomodations, nice big back yard, hot water, small library, and the spinner - sweet!

I seem to remember the Gaucelmo albergue being staffed entirely by women when I was there. They all came over to the monastery for a feed, and then either that night or the next we all went down to the town festival, where I earned the nickname "Mr. Dance" (the Electric Boogaloo/Slide is apparently international). One of the women (a Canadian, who helped me with the spinner) sent me a couple pictures of myself thru the mail. They were a nice bunch. :arrow:

 

[frmikeminn]

I was there is may of 2001. seems like a long time ago, but the memory of a good place sticks with you.