Mike, Welcome Home!
I truly have to laugh about your lovely weather! When we did our 1st, in May of '08, we had rain, rain, and then a little more rain! The headlines when we arrived in Santiago were that there had been more rain in the month of May than in the entire previous year! Very happy to hear you didn't get to share our fate!
Also sorry to hear you didn't try the alburge's again. We had one rough night Valenca, but after that the refugios were terrific and rather lightly attended so we always had space and time for facilities. Some were truly special, as in Padron. This one was an old Convent on a small hill above the river. Amazing place.
Happy to hear that you had a great time, and wishing you better the next time.
Buen Camino, Karin :arrow: