Manjarin - Tomas

[Deleted member 56069]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know for sure if Tomas is still at his albergue in Manjarin? I have seen some threads that suggest his health has been failing. Is he currently there, or is the his unique albergue being run by others now.

 

[Mike Savage]

He was not there in September 2015 when I checked in.

 

[Davey Boyd]

He was there when I popped in towards the end of last November

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I understand that he has a pretty nice house for himself, so he pops into the albergue when he wants to, and subcontracts the rest of the time. He has been around a long time, and deserves the rest, especially after his health problems.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Tomas has been up there at Manjarin a lot this winter. He's involved in promoting a new "Templar Information Center" initiative, but his associates do most of the everyday stuff. .. they post occasionally on FaceBook.

 

[GlenysP]

He was not there in September 2015 when I checked in.

I saw him in the September 2015 Mike. We met at Corazon, (now closed due to ill health of a family member)

 

[Mike Savage]

I saw him in the September 2015 Mike. We met at Corazon, (now closed due to ill health of a family member)

We sure did! I'm glad that you got to see Thomas but even happier I met you guys!

Buen Camino!

 

[FrederickK77]

I was there a few days ago. Tomas was there. He has been ill but was happy to chat. He has some people helping him but he is still going strong.

 

[PEI_Heather]

Tomas lives in Villafranca del Bierzo in the wintertime--he has a house and family there. He does go to Manjarin where he has a new helper who works as an orderly in a hospital in Barcelona...he's in good hands. (I can't remember the helper's name. He was new to me...He had arrived several months or so before... He looks the spitting image of the fellow who was there helping Tomas in 2012. A real sweetheart and very devoted to Tomas.)

Tomas has cardiac problems but is dealing with them. I saw both he and his helper in late October/early November (whenever it was I walked through Manjarin), had a great chat with both (though it was Tomas speaking/me nodding, understanding one in five or six words). His helper told me about the house in Villafranca del Bierzo and Tomas' daughter (I think he said).

Outside of the heart condition, Tomas was in fine form and we had a wonderful visit. I was really happy to see him, especially since David was gone from his albergue and pilgrims 'relief centre' by the time I got there (having departed for Barcelona only a month before). I was looking forward to seeing them both but very happy to visit with Toma.

Oh and Manjarin now has an official population of 10, not just of one.

 

[JillGat]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know for sure if Tomas is still at his albergue in Manjarin? I have seen some threads that suggest his health has been failing. Is he currently there, or is the his unique albergue being run by others now.

Just thought I'd check in and ask about any updates on Tomás?

 

[JabbaPapa]

Just thought I'd check in and ask about any updates on Tomás?

I walked up there some weeks ago after hearing even more rumours, and the very first sight I came across was Tomás walking his dogs, so he is very much still there.

He is no longer providing the coffee and biscuits welcome, but I think that this is mainly because a young lady has set up a caravan bar at the start of the pueblo, so he doesn't want to hurt her business.

And AFAIK he is now providing only emergency pilgrim welcome rather than doing so on a normal daily basis.