- Time of past OR future Camino
- Oct/Nov 2022_Mozarabe from Almeria
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Grf. I commiserate - toes are usual places for me to get blisters. But only if I forget to wrap them up with paper tape and lambswool, or if I do that carelessly. May it heal quickly and may no others arise!!I managed to acquire a blister on little toe!
until about 7k before Tres Cantos. Jill made the call to head over the highway - no real signage , follow your nose - once in there I asked first person I saw to point me in direction of V P Jardin.
The last section was odd .
While it's still fresh in your mind, could you expand on the oddness? I will be alone! Having looked at googlemaps I was (perhaps naively) thinking you could stick to the camino track until you hit the spot where it turns off to a via pecuria to the left or Ronda de Europa to the right - and just cross there. Then it should be a simple left turn, right turn, left turn to VP Jardin! What am I overlooking?We weren’t try to cross into tres cantos then! It is odd trying to get into the place . I had wondered why some sort of signage couldn’t have been added. I’m glad I wasn’t alone then.
That's exactly the way.While it's still fresh in your mind, could you expand on the oddness? I will be alone! Having looked at googlemaps I was (perhaps naively) thinking you could stick to the camino track until you hit the spot where it turns off to a via pecuria to the left or Ronda de Europa to the right - and just cross there. Then it should be a simple left turn, right turn, left turn to VP Jardin! What am I overlooking?
That's exactly the way.
It was very quick and logical decission for me because turn left on Via Pecuaria couldn't leads to Tres Cantos. If you look from the overpass further north you can't see any highway overpass in close distance. So how else should you come to TC if not turn right and cross the autovia
Hahaha, I was referring to your photo but obviously we were typing at the same time of your next post about the conditions.Where is the nice clear sky K1? Sleeting here..wet and brrrrrrrr.
Thanks for all information! I am starting out from Madrid 4th of April.Ok day3 tested our resilience. I felt like Mawson in the Antarctic.
Started out ok but we had to wade through 10 freezing cold crossings In the morning. . Ist two we took boots and socks off and dried etc.not knowing there were more to come. quite a lengthy task. Around the corner another one !! As each was getting higher almost to knees and splashing higher we all ended up walking with light shoes and carrying boots. Freezing. Couldn’t feel the toes. Although there were stones to jump across., they were fairly widely spaced and not one of us felt confident of keeping balance with backpack .
Once you come to the cement bridge there were no more to wade thru. . After that sleet and unbelievable headwinds all the way to Colmenar Viejo. Very slow progress. Having lunch we could see was getting worse so called a taxi to take us to Manzanares el Real. E25 between 3 of us. Jill called Ray y Rosa and although they were out, will pick us up at tourist office at 6.30pm. We spent a couple of hrs on tour of the castle here. Only E3 if over 60. Otherwise 5 .
Taking it a day at a time. It really is tough going staying straight in this wind.
Annie
So it is not possible to walk over the mountain??When we arrived at Manzanares el Real we had plenty of time to visit the castle. Very nice. One way to keep out of cold winds too. It has heaters !
Ray y Rosa picked us up at 6.30pm
It was very cosy. They are both wonderful hosts and dedicated pilgrims. We discussed the many camino routes and they have their own website which includes heaps of info and maps on most of the camino routes. They have almost finished building a separate ‘Albergue’ beside their home in the yard. Should be completed for this camino season. It has 4 places. (2 bunks) and it’s own separate bathroom (1 shower and toilet. ). All brand new.
No more streams to wade across today but did have to jump a few easy ones. There is ‘run off’ from the hills but quite do able today anyway .
Mostly peaceful walk / not the crazy winds of yesterday. We caught up with the other two west Australians from the forum. Mother (Suzette) and daughter.
The walk from Manzanares to Mataelpino was catching the warm sun and was a beautiful walk
Coffee stop there. Onward to Navacerrada- lunch there. We overshot a little as we ignored the arrow saying to pueblo and carried on straight ahead arrow. This was taking us along highway so took next left and walked into Navacerrada- lunch there.
Leaving here - added 1/2 hr heading in wrong direction and turned around. Quite an uphill out of this place. After that we passed quite a few Sunday walkers. It started sleeting a few kilometres short of Cercedilla. We are staying at Hostal Aribel (longinos) name appears on some of the signage. Even the wifi password is ‘longinos’
We decided on separate rooms , as we will be finding more albergues soon. So individual room with bathroom is E35. Or without bath is E30
Or a room for 3 would be E60
No breakfast included in room price, but there is a cafeteria here which opens for breakfast at 8.30am.
Definitely catching transport tomorrow to Segovia. Has been snowing as I’m sitting here(or is it sleet?) very grim looking.
Enjoying it though. It’s very pretty and as long as you’re dressed right (no wading in icy streams or leaning into sleet / your core is warm as you walk.
Annie
Hi norannSo it is not possible to walk over the mountain??
Good news. With obvious rising of CdM pilgrim numbers they will have constant flow in their albergue... They have almost finished building a separate ‘Albergue’ beside their home in the yard. Should be completed for this camino season. It has 4 places. (2 bunks) and it’s own separate bathroom (1 shower and toilet. ). All brand new.
I did the same but on purpose because it was after the heavy rain....Onward to Navacerrada- lunch there. We overshot a little as we ignored the arrow saying to pueblo and carried on straight ahead arrow. This was taking us along highway so took next left and walked into Navacerrada- lunch there. (...)
Quite an uphill out of this place. ...
Why didn't you go to Segovia today? There are trains through out the day as I saw......
Definitely catching transport tomorrow to Segovia. Has been snowing as I’m sitting here(or is it sleet?) very grim looking.
...
Don't mention that uphill from Navacerrada. It's a killer
But it's a good training for the uphill from Rio Mino at Belesar on Camino de Invierno! You should experience that one...You know how people talk about "muscle memory"? My muscles have PTSD from that climb!
Thank you, Annie. I sure hope so. I am training here in Nova Scotia in cold, damp weather and really hoping it will be a bit warmer in May. Both here and in Spain! Look forward to hearing how you fare in the next few days as you navigate your way to Segovia and beyond.Elizabeth, you need not worry about snow in May.
Currently I’m told the northern side of the pass is hard ice and would be dangerous. Snow is forecast for Cercedilla and Segovia for sat and Sunday but I think things should settle after that.
We would have ‘gone over’ pass on Monday so doubt it will be ok for us.
Rachel @kiwifamily9
It had been raining for 7-8 kilometres at that point, I had very tired legs and didn’t pull out my instructions or try to check the guide ... so going on sight. All arrows were going ahead. I hadn’t even been counting the bridges across the highway.
So if you’re reading your guide when u arrive - no probs. Jill said - I’m making my way up and over at the Ronda. But without a guide it was follow you nose and head into tres cantos. It was the right point - just no signs (that I saw - sounds like you have clear directions. ). You will be fine - you’re a trouper.
Annie
We didn’t try for Segovia today as tomorrow will be easy. Will have time to do train , look about and head to albergue at Zamarramala 3k on we think.Good news. (RayyRosa’ accommodation)
BTW where are they located regarding to the town center/castle?
Don't mention that uphill from Navacerrada. It's a killer
Why didn't you go to Segovia today? There are trains through out the day as I saw...
!
Of course I was, I checked the train timetable... Kinky was right. We could have caught train previous night but we’d booked hotel. ...
Alcazar is beautiful from the outskirts of Zamarramala in the night. Bring a bottle of wine and enjoy the evening....Alcazar on way us magnificent with spectacular position. Once at Zamarramala went to the bar for key to albergue. We asked him if there were any tiendas open in the pueblo. He said no there weren’t. So he made a killing selling food and wine to the others because he was closing early and nothing available until 9am. I needed nothing after big lunch myself.
When we left the bar, of course the tienda next door was open and stocked everything! Wine at a quarter of the price. Tienda said he’d be open until 8.30pm.
...
It was opened in February 2014 if I remember correctly....The albergue here looks to be fairly new. ...
Day 3-4
Cercedilla Hostal Aribel (near Renfe station) advised breakfast hrs starting at 8.30am (but was not open), so we trundled off the train station / next train (today) Monday not until 12.30! The one before left at 7am. There were 5 of us. We killed 4 hrs in Cercedilla. Kinky was right. We could have caught train previous night but we’d booked hotel. Although the day was a sunny & glorious spring day - advice was that it was not advisable to cross Fuenfria. Train trip was E3.65 to Segovia and took just over 35 minutes.
Lots of photo ops in Segovia. Lots to see. Late drawn out lunch (Menu Del Dia E10) before we set off up the hill to Zamarramala. Alcazar on way us magnificent with spectacular position. Once at Zamarramala went to the bar for key to albergue. We asked him if there were any tiendas open in the pueblo. He said no there weren’t. So he made a killing selling food and wine to the others because he was closing early and nothing available until 9am. I needed nothing after big lunch myself.
When we left the bar, of course the tienda next door was open and stocked everything! Wine at a quarter of the price. Tienda said he’d be open until 8.30pm.
The albergue here looks to be fairly new. Heaters here so dorm is warm. Hot water for showers. Good kitchen with microwave.
No toilet paper though. The cupboard was locked so handy to have ones own supply ! Or tissues.
Looks like early night.
Btw the door is secure for those inside ., you can get out but no handle on entry .. one needs a key so you need not worry about anyone wandering in unexpected. They need to phone .
Hope to meet you! Im setting out too on 4th April.Hi Annie good luck with your walk, I wish you health and strong legs and few blisters! I am very curious what the walking conditions will be in light of all the rain and snow in the area. Especially between Tres Cantos and Matealpino. I would imagine that little streams would have developed into rivers with a lot of mud and puddles everywhere! And then of course the stretch between Cercedilla and Segovia, with all the snow on the mountain. My wife and I are setting out from Madrid on 4 April and we hope that the weather would have improved by then. Buen Camino, Izak.
Hi HeatherHi Annie ,following with interest as I start on the 7th. Have you seen any other pilgrims apart from your group?
Heather
There are approx.40 villages/towns on CdM and I only remember few of them without tienda: Valsain (detour after Fuenfria Pass), Los Huertos (reports have been posted that there is a shop), Ane, Pinilla Ambroz, Villeguillo (but there's a bar/restaurant), Wamba (only bakery and restaurant as I remember), Castromonte (butchery but obviously also a tienda by this year reports), Tamariz de Campos, Fontihoyuelo and Arrenilas de de Valderaduey.@OzAnnie - thank you so much for the updates. We hope to leave Madrid on April 5. We'll be taking it slow, and enjoying the beautiful terrain. The forecast still has a bit more moisture ahead, but we are hoping the mountain pass will be walkable by the time we get there. Buen Camino, and we will continue to watch for your updates. We are really interested in the food shops in your next few days. Those little towns can be mysterious when looking for supplies for the next day. Thanks again.
Thank you Annie, its great reading your updates. can't wait to get started.Hi Heather
Yes we have. The 3 of us are still keeping together.
2 days back we ran into 2 ladies from WA who had started around same time. They were at Zamarramala with us last night but were only walking to Añe today. They aren’t going to Sahagún either - doing a bit of sightseeing too. They will walk a few days and return to Segovia for a few days over Easter. We walk approx 30k from Zamarramala today. We have 4 tonight in the (6 bed) albergue in Santa Maria la real de Nieva .
A young Ozzie girl (working as teacher in Germany) had time for a short camino so has jumped a few stages and walked a few days & is on her way too.
My feet are just about over and out. See how I go tonight.
Surprising that there is so little wifi available on this stretch.
Ps @KinkyOne Yes I agree ., you are very reliable with information you give.
The weather today was superb. It’s magic walking conditions. Snow looks to be well behind us now. I think anyone coming now on camino madrid should find it ok.
Annie.
Hope to meet up with you two somewhere on the track. So many Aussies !.@OzAnnie - thank you so much for the updates. We hope to leave Madrid on April 5. We'll be taking it slow, and enjoying the beautiful terrain. The forecast still has a bit more moisture ahead, but we are hoping the mountain pass will be walkable by the time we get there. Buen Camino, and we will continue to watch for your updates. We are really interested in the food shops in your next few days. Those little towns can be mysterious when looking for supplies for the next day. Thanks again.
After that blustery start, it's great to know you're having better weather now, Annie.The weather today was superb. It’s magic walking conditions.
I hope they recover in the night! Thinking of you, with many buen camino wishes!My feet are just about over and out. See how I go tonight.
Castromonte is a combined butchers & shop , regards TonyThere are approx.40 villages/towns on CdM and I only remember few of them without tienda: Valsain (detour after Fuenfria Pass), Los Huertos (reports have been posted that there is a shop), Ane, Pinilla Ambroz, Villeguillo (but there's a bar/restaurant), Wamba (only bakery and restaurant as I remember), Castromonte (butchery but obviously also a tienda by this year reports), Tamariz de Campos, Fontihoyuelo and Arrenilas de de Valderaduey.
Might not help you but I've had many blisters. I don't use Compeed except on hot spots or grazes. After popping blister I apply Betadine ointment,dry gauze and tape thoroughly. This feels comfortable to walk on,for me.Well there are truly camino angels.
My feet are really hurting. The others don’t think I should walk but there are no busses between coca and Alcazarén. Perhaps once the morning comes I’ll rethink walking. I will take the taxi number with me. Blisters , grrrrr. Why me? Walking is such a pleasant thing but spoilt by feeling pain in feet.
Anyway, getting back to my angel. Jessie , the most recent member of our little group has suffered with blisters before and although not her forté to work on blisters of others , she offered to look at my feet , having ‘been there ‘ herself. I took the Compeed off (very carefully ). She treated both toes first ., then the heels. One was doable . But the left one she can see it’s a blister on top of another blister. I’ll let them breathe tonight and finish cover in the morning. Just having someone who cared and had similar experience was such a positive thing.
Meanwhile , elsewhere in the Albergue whilst this ‘surgery’ was happening - Ginette was attempting to cook boiled eggs in the microwave .. there are no cook tops in this kitchen. We heard an almighty boom. Disaster with the eggs. She has cleaned up the explosion etc. poor ginette. She was trying to have eggs available for all of us tomorrow.
Quite a day !! Lol.
Annie
Thankyou Kinky,Hola, Annie,
It seems like you'll have another day of some rain but after that it will clear up:
http://www.caminodesantiagotiempo.com/caminomadrid/index.htm
Villeguillo albergue is indeed modern at least the kitchen is. It's on the edge of a village and with plenty of outside space in front of it. The bar serves very good food although you just tested coffee
Cautious about them blisters. Keep your feet dry after walking. Better to feel a bit cold then have them wet. My sister's friend ignored it on CF and ended in Santiago with blood poisoned because of blisters going septic. Maybe make a short stage to Valdestillas and stay in voluntarios staffed albergue?
Wish you all Buen and rain free Camino!
Thankyou Kinky,
... blister care, we tried to get to pharmacia earlier this evening , for some antibiotic creme but everything closed earlier with Easter coming. I will watch it. Thankyou.
Hi Rachel & others who are really giving me such support . These old feet...grumble grumble.@OzAnnie do you have time to take a day or two off and rest those feet?
Update on river crossing / Rio Eresma. Approx 6k before Valdestillas. At the moment it is too deep, high, wide to cross. We stood looking at it for 5 -10 minutes considering what was plan b., and a little red Coche arrived. Too dangerous even for cars to cross. They offered to drive 3 of us on a detour close by Matapozuelos back to the same spot but safely on the other side. Jill was somewhere behind us but we weren’t sure. The same good fortune was offered her so we all stayed dry. Not sure how long it will be too high though.
To avoid the stony descent.
No - it was nothing. JW’s description confused all of us - As it turned out ., the cycle route looked to go on the road. The walking peregrini sculpture took a left and came down into Wamba via a grassy descent, with some rocks??? Easy Peasy. It may have been drier and more slippery when JW did it - at present, just follow walking pilgrim ... some cyclists followed this way too... I think that’s what JW was trying to indicate. (That some cyclists would choose the walking way for slightly more of a challenge than the road).So I wonder if this could possibly be the hard walk on the stone filled railbed that I definitely remember in the days after Coca
Hi @camino07Did you stay in Ciguena,Annie?
Hi Laurie.Oh, Annie, ánimo! This does not sound like fun.
Generally yes if you translate just "animo" but I believe it's short from "animo tu puedes" which could be translated as "C'mon, you can do it!". And fits on the Camino much better especially while on a steep uphill like the one just before Penaflor de HornijaHi Laurie.
Just to confirm for many who don’t understand ‘ánimo!’ Including me. ? Does it mean ‘cheer up ?’ Or. Trying to get my Spanish better.
This is great, thanks Annie. Have added all the info to my CSJ guide book.Hi @camino07
Yes , we stayed in the Albergue in Ciguñuela.
I didn’t take photo of the prices board but it was E6 for peregrino. If you wanted heating it was E4 extra. Ginette has arrived first and paid it.
We had been expecting to pay for the kitchen use but didn’t need the kitchen. We found a good bar behind the church, called : La mesón la mielga.
Prior to Ciguñuela we passed through Simancas and enjoyed a ‘gourmet ?’ Lunch. Yummy food in my opinion. On left corner of plaza. .. name was something like. ....El buen Sabor?
Heading out we tried to look through the castle but it was closed for Siesta time. Awesome edifice though.
Some great castles and churches in this route .
The albergue in Ciguñuela was comfortable and very very warm as heating had been paid by Ginette. They would have liked for every pilgrim to pay the E4 for heating , I think. Albergue was too hot actually. The heating we’ve found in albergues is really tops. You can almost get by with just a thermal liner. But there could be albergues we haven’t experienced that have nothing. They keep kitchen locked if you haven’t paid extra.
Next day 1-4-18 in morning to Wamba .,
We all were lucky enough to have a tour of the church and osary at Wamba. Well worth it. Thanks. @Anniesantiago.
Had lunch at Peñaflor de Hornija (ps Rachel , yes there is a climb into this pueblo, as there are a couple of valleys or ravines or ?? And then a steep climb as if you are climbing to a castle town. Leaving is similar. //. I didn’t get the feeling to stop there so we walked extra 10k or so to Castromonte.. we didn’t get food there but we weren’t hungry. There were supplies in the kitchen and it had cooktop, Microwave , so could have made a decent meal. Also used the washing machine (no extra fee). Price for with albergue with all inclusions is E5. We found the bar later in unlikely place signed as ‘lotteries’.
The albergue - key brought down by Luis. Wonderful albergue. Heaters everywhere and on. So our washing was easily dried. Plenty of space. Hot shower. No regrets here, even if town didn’t have food. We’ve found eating a menu del dia keeps you running and if you have a few off things with you or find tapas ., you get enough.
Today walked to Medina de Rioseco. Huge old town. Very interesting. A lengthy dog leg on route. Made for a loooong haul if you have tired legs.
No bars open until Medina. ....
response for Rachel @Kiwi-family
Hostal Castilla - Rate given for individual room E25. rooms have 2 beds. We got them down to E20 for room, but didn’t choose to stay there.
We ate lunch (menu del dia ) there. Nice and good price E9. However there was no wifi there or in rooms (so they said ??) and it was cold and seemed to be unheated and gloomy so we went to check out Hostal Duque de Osuna around the corner. In JW as E20 for single / actual price is E25 single room. (2 beds). Own bathroom , heating , wifi , modern , nice bathroom. So we’ve all taken single rooms here for tonight
Ps weather. Apart from the grim start with freezing streams and crazy wind ., we have hit the jackpot with walking weather. Fresh wind etc bit glorious for walking . Although rain forecast today .. we didn’t see a drop. Being looked after.
Edit: it has rained here since we took rooms. We went out to look through church of Santiago. All doors locked !!! We tried. We have photos of outside at least .
I see there is a possibility of a boat along the canal to Tamariz.
This would be a nice foot rest for 7.7k.
Unfortunately the oficina de turismo is closed. We will probably walk to Tamariz and then take direct route on road to Cuenca de campos, if we can find the arrows.
Annie
What I see from last and this year's reports nothing much has changed on CdM since 2014 when I walked itThis is great, thanks Annie. Have added all the info to my CSJ guide book.
I’m leaving Perth tomorrow night. Eeek!
Hahaha, giving yourself additional courage for drinking...
Myself and drinking buddy think that this is just the thing !!
happy for you Heather. Jessie is now in Madrid. Weather there is ‘perfecto !’This is great, thanks Annie. Have added all the info to my CSJ guide book.
I’m leaving Perth tomorrow night. Eeek!
I only ever have a wine with dinner at home. ‘ true !Hahaha, giving yourself additional courage for drinking
No - it was nothing. JW’s description confused all of us - As it turned out ., the cycle route looked to go on the road. The walking peregrini sculpture took a left and came down into Wamba via a grassy descent, with some rocks??? Easy Peasy. It may have been drier and more slippery when JW did it - at present, just follow walking pilgrim ... some cyclists followed this way too... I think that’s what JW was trying to indicate. (That some cyclists would choose the walking way for slightly more of a challenge than the road).
Annie
Re feet. Our little forum friend @Jesso helped a lot with my blisters. I still have them but watching carefully. I am not hobbling at present.
Hi, Laurie,Good to know, Annie. Maybe this means that the couple of kms in a rocky rail bed are no longer on the Camino. I remember it was pretty painful but a few years later Kinky didn’t go on it and it sounds like you didn’t either.
...
Is this the one at the end of the house with the arches? Did she took a photo of you? I remember she told me this was her tradition and when there were enough photos to fill in the picture frame she would hang it on the outside wall.... I enjoyed it. We went nearby to cafeteria cañada ...? After lunch and it was closed but opened the door the see what we wanted. Carmina was happy to give us the key to the albergue. She phoned someone ., probably to turn on heat ?? She also did our Credencials etc in her cafe. E7. Normal 6 but 1 extra for heat
...
Sorry, K1, I just don't remember exactlyl where it was, but I think it was in the Alcazarén area. Definitely not as far as leaving Medina. When I am back with access to my journals, I will see if I can be more specific. Not a big deal, really, since it doesn't seem to be on the camino anymore!!! But I can tell you it was hard hard hard on the feet.Hi, Laurie,
The only rail bed I remember is after Lost Huertos (soon after the church in the fields) and about halfway to Ane.
But maybe you mean the middle (old) route from Medina? The route along the canal is the one to the right, disused narrow gauge rail bed is the middle one and there's another one to the left. As I remember from 2014 Amigos don't paint arrows on the left and middle route anymore. But maybe something has changed. Anyway if and when I'll walk from Medina again I'll try the rail bed route and report back
p.s. Annie, are you going to stop in Villalón?
Apologies Annie as I seen this post too late . We took the " stony path " & it is not a description I would give it , very easy . Have a good trip , cheers TonyNo - it was nothing. JW’s description confused all of us - As it turned out ., the cycle route looked to go on the road. The walking peregrini sculpture took a left and came down into Wamba via a grassy descent, with some rocks??? Easy Peasy. It may have been drier and more slippery when JW did it - at present, just follow walking pilgrim ... some cyclists followed this way too... I think that’s what JW was trying to indicate. (That some cyclists would choose the walking way for slightly more of a challenge than the road).
Annie
Re feet. Our little forum friend @Jesso helped a lot with my blisters. I still have them but watching carefully. I am not hobbling at present.
Annie, thank you for sharing your experience with us. I have so enjoyed reading your posts and they have been very helpful. Enjoy your downtime and Buen Camino on the Invierno.Hi Camino Madrid peregrinos
I decided after yesterday’s walk that I won’t do the last etape from Santervás de campos to Sahagún as legs want a break before I start the Invierno. So I won’t be able to report on the exit from Arenillas de Valderaduey. We were all to go separate directions in Sahagún regardless. So Jill has set off today on foot and no doubt when she get back home will get back on the forum. Now there @jsalt is an organized peregrina. I so much enjoyed the company of the few forum members on camino Madrid.
I caught a drive to Sahagún this morning and have my ticket to Ponferrada for 2pm. E17.
Should be there at 4.15pm.
I’ll have to crank myself up again there to set off.
This last 2 weeks has gone so fast.
@KinkyOne sorry about the double up photos- The post just wasn’t posting. Not sure how to get rid of the double ups once uploaded.
The albergue in Santervás was good. We had it all to ourselves. The heating and hot water didn’t come on at first so I had a cold shower at 6.20pm and then mentioned being ‘frio’ to Emilio (the Hospitalero). He set to contacting whoever the experts were and the other girls enjoyed a lovely hot shower. Bathroom has heating - warm as toast once it’s working. Heating throughout.
Actually on this camino ., I didn’t experience one cold albergue. They leave heating on all night. You end up warmas toast. Blankets here too.
The bar served a lovely menu del dia -
Buen Camino to those following.
Annie
Regarding old train tracks @peregrina2000 and @KinkyOne
Leaving Cuenca de campos - there is an old train track. ! Pic attached / View attachment 40882View attachment 40883View attachment 40884View attachment 40882View attachment 40883View attachment 40884View attachment 40883View attachment 40884heading to Villalon . . However today it posed the easiest part of our walk. Most of the old train section has been resurfaced with smaller soft gravel. They have also planted hundreds of trees on side for future shade. After Villalon; because of the rain last night, the track was muddy and caking the boots ! It is extremely windy and we’ve battled the wind all the way to Santervás de Campos.
This year I have a ‘sea to summit ‘ tarp poncho !!!!!
It was a pest. Flap flap flap , the studs kept being forced open with the gusting wind. Don’t use this type in winter !! Arrived at the albergue in Santervás at 2pm. Bar is beside albergue which is situated near the big church.
Menu del dia. Mmmmm. Ñam ñam. E11. Wifi in bar. Waiting for them to let us into albergue. It is E6. Wifi isn’t good signal in albergue but working for the other 2 - not on my iPhone tho.
Last night the albergue in Cuenca de campos only charged an extra E1 per person for heating. - but place was huge and heaters ran all night even in halls and kitchen and bathroom ! The place was the size of a hotel. Very fortunate pilgrims! Being a peregrina/o at this time of the year ., albergue accommodation is like private hotel. SO much choice and nobody else around .
@KinkyOne
The house you mentioned in Cuenca with arches ? We did not see it. The ladies in the cafe Cañada were hard workers. La Tata restaurant was opening for desayuno at 10.30am. Too late. Carmine said she’d open at 8am for us but we arrived and all was dark. She eventually opened the door and we returned the albergue key., thanked her for her kindness and explained that all was ok. We could have breakfast at Villalon.
At Villalon. A few places opened. Looks like nice town.
Next 8 k walk was a tiny bit if musty rain but left ponchos on. It wasn’t a hard 8ks Arrived Fontihoyuelo and as expected ., nothing there. We rested for a bit and ate from rations carried.
The final 8ks to Santervás was tough with the wind etc; as above.
Waiting for hot water to get hot now for a shower.
Comfortable with just us 3 at these albergues.
AnnieView attachment 40882View attachment 40883View attachment 40884View attachment 40882View attachment 40883View attachment 40884
Perfect solution Tom. I had to ‘find’ them (in the gale not easy )so many times and and snap but gave up in the end. I like your solution if you want to continue with S2S poncho. I may go back to Altus. I had one before but you do ‘moisture up ‘ inside more with them. But better than flap flap flap. Drove me crazy and the others kept thinking there was a car coming up behind them due to the noise.Annie:
Love your commentary on the C/M! Regarding the S2S poncho issue, I had the same problem a few years ago and found a good (for me) solution.
On returning home, I hosed off and dried the poncho, inside and out. Then I applied Super Glue to the “male” part of each snap and snapped them shut.
As I did this, I used a wooden spring clothes pin to hold pressure on each closed (forever) snap until the glue cured fully. Fifteen minutes did it.
This did the trick. Now, the snaps do not come apart. I considered alternative, emergency uses for this poncho, but decided the likelihood so nil, that sealing the snaps made sense.
I did contact Sea to Summit. They told me it was a weight to fabric shear strength issue. If they used stronger snaps, the fabric would have to be either reinforced or be heavier. This defeats the purpose of having this very lightweight poncho in the first place.
So, it is what it is. But a small dab of Super Glue on each snap did the trick.
Hope this helps.
Wasn't that solved already???Annie, thanks so much for all the many informative posts. No worries about the Arenillas doubts, it's always good to have a few mysteries left unresolved!
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