LIVE from the Camino Invierno September 2024

[BombayBill]

Off we go again on a new route for me, Camino Invierno. Not sure I’ll have much to add the already excellent details posted by @peregrina2000 and @Wendy Werneth and Nick.

I’m trying to follow their suggestions but my staging and distances are now dictated by the realization that enthusiasm can only partially compensate for age. Despite my best intentions I’m starting out after a lengthy dinner.

Anything that stands out I’ll note here….once I fully come awake.

 

[Robo]

The frequent hills are a great cure for excess wine consumption.....

 

[Camino Chrissy]

my staging and distances are now dictated by the realization that enthusiasm can only partially compensate for age.

Although I don't consider myself old yet, I can keep my enthusiasm up if I now can shave off a few kilometers on the longest stages....and no wine before I finish walking for the day.
Good luck leaving Ponferrada after dinner!

 

[peregrina2000]

enthusiasm can only partially compensate for age.

Ain’t it the truth!

The t-shirt I got on my 70th birthday — “Hill? What hill? I didn’t see any hill!” You will see plenty of hills on the Invierno, and I’m confident you’ll get over them all.

Have a great walk, @BombayBill. Very much looking forward to hearing how it goes for you. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[BombayBill]

VILLAVIEJA to PUENTE FLÓREZ

The Albergue in Villavieja was terrific. Only another Spanish couple. In fact I’ve only seen them, 3 Aussies ( @jimmyc )and 1 other person. In fact in Ponferrada there were very few walkers. Probably a back to school lull.

I put a lot of thought into the Villavieja route finally settling on the Wikiloc trail. https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/villavieja-orellan-las-medulas-85187804

Ha! The joke was on me. Heavy fog and cloud so no views until Mirador Orellan. The gps tracks and the Wise Pilgrim deviation are not for the faint hearted with no visual orientation in the heavy cloud and mist.

I was vigilant for aggressive dogs but the hound of Villavieja has been tamed by age. Not so a sly fellow further on. He tried to slink up behind me but I’d spotted him earlier and so whirled about to see him off with a thrust of my épée. En garde!

I did see quite a lot of evidence of feral pigs/boars. Diggings and scat.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi @BombayBill, I will be reading your posts with special interest as I will be two+ weeks behind you.

 

[BombayBill]

O’BARCO

Attached photo may interest the weary walker.

 

[JenniMaria]

The Albergue in Villavieja was terrific. Only another Spanish couple. In fact I’ve only seen them, 3 Aussies ( @jimmyc )and 1 other person. In fact in Ponferrada there were very few walkers. Probably a back to school lull.

Buen camino!
I can't wait to start my own camino. I bet invierno is challenging in many ways, especially because it is My first camino, but I can't help to wonder how challenging it is if I don't speak spanish?
Apparently some places (Villavieja, Bar Mar in Sobradelo) have to be booked by phone and I'm terrified.

 

[BombayBill]

Buen camino!
I can't wait to start my own camino. I bet invierno is challenging in many ways, especially because it is My first camino, but I can't help to wonder how challenging it is if I don't speak spanish?
Apparently some places (Villavieja, Bar Mar in Sobradelo) have to be booked by phone and I'm terrified.

A little intimidating for sure. But you can overcome it with some prep. After all they’re not going to suddenly ask you your thoughts on climate change.

Write it out first. Start with something that alerts them to your issue

Buenos Dias , yo soy peregrina, tienes una cama septiembre uno , Domingo, para una mujer? I always give day of week to prevent confusion. Expect questions back. Con bano? With bathroom? Compartimento? Dorm or private? You can do it.

 

[BombayBill]

One thing of note that I neglected to take note of. I was under caffeinated. Around the entrance to O Barco or maybe more likely Sobradelo it looked like a brand new albergue on the right of the path. Very new, modern, trim in wood with a large sign outside declaring an initiative of local government. Sorry it didn’t sink in until much later.

Perhaps @Camino Chrissy some days behind me can pay more attention and provide an update?

 

[peregrina2000]

more likely Sobradelo it looked like a brand new albergue on the right of the path.

Yes, this has been in the works for a while. It’s at the entrance to Sobradelo, and it’s going to be a municipal albergue túristico. I can’t find any news about an opening. In 2022, it was projected to open in 2023. According to local news.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yes, this has been in the works for a while. It’s at the entrance to Sobradelo, and it’s going to be a municipal albergue túristico. I can’t find any news about an opening. In 2022, it was projected to open in 2023. According to local news.

That is a very impressive renovation! You quickly provided the correct answer which is no surprise!

 

[BombayBill]

A RUA

The newish donativo in A Rua is run by a nice couple. They serve a hearty communal meal. Clean , well run, good location. It now appears that there are about 30-40 pilgrims a day. 15 of them are a peregrino association from Cadiz. They kindly break into pods at accom and restaurants so as to not overwhelm any one place.

Albergue de Peregrinos · A Rúa, Province of Ourense

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yes, at first I thought you were probably talking about that new one @Bradypus mentioned on the forum, until @peregrina2000 chimed in.
The A Rúa albergue OPENED on 15 March 2024! | Camino de Santiago Forum

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/the-a-rua-albergue-opened-on-15-march-2024.85355/

 

[trecile]

The newish donativo in A Rua is run by a nice couple. They serve a hearty communal meal

It's actually run by volunteer hospitaleros/as.

When I stayed there in June there was just a single hospitalera, who was wonderful, and there were only two pilgrims (including me) sleeping there.