I hesitated for a while about posting this, because the truth is that I am not 100% convinced it is accurate. But the following notice has appeared on several forums in Spanish (rough translation).
"Last week I was walking alone on the first stage of the Vdlp, about 6 km before Guillena, and I was attacked by three guys on bikes with a knife. They took everything I had, even the walking stick."
What makes me suspicious about the veracity is that the poster reported that the Guardia Civil, when phoned by someone who later came upon the scene, reportedly told the pilgrim that since he had walked that far already, there was no need to send a car to pick him up, he could just keep on walking into the police office in Guillena. That to me sounds totally out of character and unlikely.
There are many comments about this incident on the boards, but what would be great is some independent corroboration. I haven't been able to find any yet.
This is quite distressing if true, obviously. Buen camino, Laurie
UPDATE: I just called Spain and spoke with the hospitaleras of the Guillena albergue and a private Guillena albergue. Neither of them has heard anything about this news. That makes me think it is a farce, but I will continue to try to corroborate
"Last week I was walking alone on the first stage of the Vdlp, about 6 km before Guillena, and I was attacked by three guys on bikes with a knife. They took everything I had, even the walking stick."
What makes me suspicious about the veracity is that the poster reported that the Guardia Civil, when phoned by someone who later came upon the scene, reportedly told the pilgrim that since he had walked that far already, there was no need to send a car to pick him up, he could just keep on walking into the police office in Guillena. That to me sounds totally out of character and unlikely.
There are many comments about this incident on the boards, but what would be great is some independent corroboration. I haven't been able to find any yet.
This is quite distressing if true, obviously. Buen camino, Laurie
UPDATE: I just called Spain and spoke with the hospitaleras of the Guillena albergue and a private Guillena albergue. Neither of them has heard anything about this news. That makes me think it is a farce, but I will continue to try to corroborate
