Tamsin Grainger
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Francés
De la plata
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Hi Tamsin,V v hard day today in 30 degree heat - often no shade for v long stretches (like Mesera). Well sign posted vies verdes /camí San Jaume.
Carrying too much - what to do? Have sleeping bag as scared will get stuck on mountains overnight after Olot. Yes, I know, your fears weigh you down! Tomorrow all uphill and fancy I won't make it to San Esteve d'en Bas where staying at albergue (again unable to book myself though tried and tried, but Girona Tourist Info woman v helpful and phoned for me.
Staying tonight at Restaurant Fonda Giralt - v hard to book - many sites said booked up. In the end the wonderful hospitalero at Bed in Girona (28 euros per night= cheapest in G) phoned on my behalf and sorted it just like that. 30 euros for individual room and own bath. All far, far more expensive than expected by 3 times. Landscape a mix of Camino Frances and Valencia Sierras - mostly wonderful. Especially glad I stopped at La Pilastres, though not far from Girona, and hung my feet in water as was already seriously hot by then.
Even though Sunday, there were quite lot Cafes open along the way though no shops of course. Drinks more expensive than elsewhere.
Any further advice most gratefully received. Off to bed!
Hi Tasmin - my memory always lets me down, however just throwing this out there. I walked during 2 weeks of Easter maybe 2018. Lots of local tourism, so may places booked out. When I arrived in Vic, I really was stumped at finding someplace. The local tourist office were not one bit helpful, but a local cafe was super friendly and did everything they could think of to help. Finally someone here, gave me a brilliant solution. Hop on a train.. So I booked a really nice hostel beside the train station in "Barcelona"... and was there before I knew it. I can't remember why, but I took a bus back out to meet the way from Vic again. Just an idea! Sometimes when tired and hitting walls, sometimes a ridiculous idea works. And I remember the Barcelona Hostel was near an Ethiopian restaurant - yum. So happy days!V v hard day today in 30 degree heat - often no shade for v long stretches (like Mesera). Well sign posted vies verdes /camí San Jaume.
Carrying too much - what to do? Have sleeping bag as scared will get stuck on mountains overnight after Olot. Yes, I know, your fears weigh you down! Tomorrow all uphill and fancy I won't make it to San Esteve d'en Bas where staying at albergue (again unable to book myself though tried and tried, but Girona Tourist Info woman v helpful and phoned for me.
Staying tonight at Restaurant Fonda Giralt - v hard to book - many sites said booked up. In the end the wonderful hospitalero at Bed in Girona (28 euros per night= cheapest in G) phoned on my behalf and sorted it just like that. 30 euros for individual room and own bath. All far, far more expensive than expected by 3 times. Landscape a mix of Camino Frances and Valencia Sierras - mostly wonderful. Especially glad I stopped at La Pilastres, though not far from Girona, and hung my feet in water as was already seriously hot by then.
Even though Sunday, there were quite lot Cafes open along the way though no shops of course. Drinks more expensive than elsewhere.
Any further advice most gratefully received. Off to bed!
That's a great story. I am here now. Thank you very much.Hi Tamsin,
When you arrive to Sant Feliu de Pallerols ask for the "Pescallunes".
Legends
THE PESCALLUNES
It is explained, from time immemorial, that one night in a clear sky and a full moon, a man from Sant Feliu de Llobregat was walking along the river Brugent when he had to stop attracted by the charm, never seen by him until then, that it offered that star which was reflected in all its fullness in the calm waters of the stream. He was so overwhelmed by the beauty of that moon, that it shone so brightly in the darkness of the water, that he was excited to think that he could have it and decided to fish it with a cove. But no matter how much he put the cove in the water and took it off very quickly, he couldn't get it into it.
Someone saw the show and in a mocking tone said to him: what do you want to do? Fishing for the moon ?. Since then, those in Sant Feliu de Pallerols have called us “PESCALLUNES”: people who are excited and have dreams, romantic, with ambition and many projects, people who do not stop, who always look ahead.
Good photos and good English. Many thanks againNear to t'he Rivera you can see a little esculture.
This is the sculpture I wanted you to discover.
I am not a good guide and my English is not fluent. I am sorry.
Buen Camino¡
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Sorry, that posted before I finished it. Live from the Camino Camí Sant Jaume day 2: Amer to Sant Esteve d'en Bas. So I decided to ditch my sleeping bag and the pack was lighter as a result. There was less sun, more shade and, later once I had got to the hostal, it poured with rain.Day 2: Amer to Sant Esteve d'en Bas. So, I ditched my sleeping bag and travelled a little lighter, the sun wasn't as strong, there was more shade and now it's actually raining/pouring! Make sure you see the Romanesque Santa Starts in forests then Les Planes d'Hostoles. Have to détour for open café (10 mins past a spar to The first uphill is gradual but long, the second, very steep but mercifully short, then downhill and flat through
Staying at youth hostel in Vall d'en Bas - keep on the path until you are very close, it is soon after the tunnel - look left. Probably best to book in advance. V helpful and kind staff. All clean and spacious. Good shower. She offered a rack for my clothes to dry on (she is a peregrina!) . They offer eve meal (10 euros basic) and breakfast (5 euros). Just under 30 euros per night and slight reduction if you eat too. No kitchen though they offered to microwave and you can eat supermarket food there - 15 mins walk back to town. No alcohol as youth centre.
Hi, thank you for taking the time to answer and share your experience. So far I have just, and I mean only just (!) managed to find accommodation where I have finished walking for the day, but you are right, if I cannot, I can always take a bus or train. Thank you very much.Hi Tasmin - my memory always lets me down, however just throwing this out there. I walked during 2 weeks of Easter maybe 2018. Lots of local tourism, so may places booked out. When I arrived in Vic, I really was stumped at finding someplace. The local tourist office were not one bit helpful, but a local cafe was super friendly and did everything they could think of to help. Finally someone here, gave me a brilliant solution. Hop on a train.. So I booked a really nice hostel beside the train station in "Barcelona"... and was there before I knew it. I can't remember why, but I took a bus back out to meet the way from Vic again. Just an idea! Sometimes when tired and hitting walls, sometimes a ridiculous idea works. And I remember the Barcelona Hostel was near an Ethiopian restaurant - yum. So happy days!
Yes that was my plan - L'Esquirol to Vic. Sounds amazing. Thank youAnd one p.s., @Tamsin Grainger, if you are going to walk to Vic from L’Esquirol, there are a couple of 5 star attractions that are more or less on the way but require some attention because they are off-camino. The monastery Sant Pere de Casseres is, IMHO, a wonderful detour, and on the way there, you will pass some pretty astonishing neolithic sacrificial altars.
Not sure what your plans are, but would be happy to give info if these alternatives are appealing. Buen camino.
Thanks. After today, I am not sure I will be continuing. I had a truly HARD time - 9.5 hours and then I got a lift from someone blessed from just outside Contonegrós. Not only am I unlikely to continue tomorrow, but I fear my pilgrim days may be over. I cannot put myself through that again, or risk similar.My post number 21 in this thread details the route I took and has a link to my gps tracks. If I had had an extra day I would have snagged a last minute room at the parador and then walked into Vic (about 12-13???) the next day. As it was, I had no time to spare so after I visited the monastery, I continued on a few kms to the parador and got a cab to come pick me up. I think that Alan Sykes and maybe a couple of other forum members have taken this detour and I don’t think I have ever heard any negative comments. The wikiloc tracks will show you the ascents involved and you can decide whether it would be comfortable for you.
The one really unexpected bonus was coming across a neolithic site from about 2500 BC. Some info on this website. There was a sacrificial altar (at least that’s the theory) along with some interesting carvings in the rocks. It is right on the trail to the monastery.
Good luck, and I hope you had a very nice walk into L’Esquirol! When I walked in 2015, the town had only recently been able to change its name back to L’Esquirol from its Franco-era Santa María del Corcó (or something like that), so it was very confusing. I assume that is all in the past now!
I am sorry to hear about your experience, but glad it ended well with the kindness you experienced. I hope you have a good rest and enjoy the rest of your stay in the lovely Vic area. Even if you won’t be walking, surely you will enjoy the fabulous medieval art museum in Vic.Thanks. After today, I am not sure I will be continuing. I had a truly HARD time - 9.5 hours and then I got a lift from someone blessed from just outside Contonegrós. Not only am I unlikely to continue tomorrow, but I fear my pilgrim days may be over. I cannot put myself through that again, or risk similar.
Maybe, maybe not.Thanks. After today, I am not sure I will be continuing. I had a truly HARD time - 9.5 hours and then I got a lift from someone blessed from just outside Contonegrós. Not only am I unlikely to continue tomorrow, but I fear my pilgrim days may be over. I cannot put myself through that again, or risk similar.
Tamsin, I am so sorry to hear that you had such a hard dangerous day on Wed. When I walked in mid May, the weather was perfect for hiking - cool first thing then warm but not too warm in the early afternoon. That makes for a truly different day.Thanks. After today, I am not sure I will be continuing. I had a truly HARD time - 9.5 hours and then I got a lift from someone blessed from just outside Contonegrós. Not only am I unlikely to continue tomorrow, but I fear my pilgrim days may be over. I cannot put myself through that again, or risk similar.
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