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How lucky can you get? Full bedding! A treat on any camino! Ultreia!For all those following me I have some tips for. I was lucky to meet Nalod from the forum in the Hotel Simon yesterday, he had just finished a short 5 day Camino and was kind enough to share information, as they say always listen to the experienced pilgrim.
Firstly he showed me the first part of getting on my way from Sevilla, this really was useful, although I soon got lost, I was really surprised because this should never happen to someone with no sense of direction. I’m not sure whether it was me or just a lack of Camino signs, you really need eyes in the back of your head. You really need four people walking together two to look left and right and the other two up and down. The signs didn’t get regular until after Santiponse.
Now I know your all waiting with baited breath to hear about the stream crossing, I’ve been tracking the rainfall for the last 2 weeks hoping that I’d be able to just walk Acton the wet dip in the track, but alas this wasn’t to be.
Now if you have some for thought when packing and remember to pack you bikini and buggie smugglers then you’d have no problem crossing, although you may have had to have your backpack above your head.
Having forgotten to pack my bikini and buggie smugglers, and having missed the alternative route as discribed in GK’s guide I needed an alternative. Well some kind person has placed a steel girder just to the right, it is about 9 inches wide. On recommendations from Nalod the beat way is to shuffle because it’s not really wide enough to walk across normally. Mind you if your an ex gymnast you’ll have no problem you could even throw in a few summersalts, I so wish I was young again.
Now the next thing I have to share with you relates to the municipal albergue, for all of you wishing to stay there you’ll be disappointed because it’s closed and I’m not sure when it will be open. Now the alternative is the albergue (private) La Luz, it’s run by Pilar who is exceptional. 12 euro including breakfast, lovely beds with full bedding and all tea and coffee facilities, I can’t praise it enough.
Well fellow pilgrims I hope this is a useful update of the first stage, it’s now time for me to have a cold beer. Oh I forget the weather has been really hot and dry, long may it continue.
How hot can it be in February? What is the temperature?For all those following me I have some tips for. I was lucky to meet Nalod from the forum in the Hotel Simon yesterday, he had just finished a short 5 day Camino and was kind enough to share information, as they say always listen to the experienced pilgrim.
Firstly he showed me the first part of getting on my way from Sevilla, this really was useful, although I soon got lost, I was really surprised because this should never happen to someone with no sense of direction. I’m not sure whether it was me or just a lack of Camino signs, you really need eyes in the back of your head. You really need four people walking together two to look left and right and the other two up and down. The signs didn’t get regular until after Santiponse.
Now I know your all waiting with baited breath to hear about the stream crossing, I’ve been tracking the rainfall for the last 2 weeks hoping that I’d be able to just walk Acton the wet dip in the track, but alas this wasn’t to be.
Now if you have some for thought when packing and remember to pack you bikini and buggie smugglers then you’d have no problem crossing, although you may have had to have your backpack above your head.
Having forgotten to pack my bikini and buggie smugglers, and having missed the alternative route as discribed in GK’s guide I needed an alternative. Well some kind person has placed a steel girder just to the right, it is about 9 inches wide. On recommendations from Nalod the beat way is to shuffle because it’s not really wide enough to walk across normally. Mind you if your an ex gymnast you’ll have no problem you could even throw in a few summersalts, I so wish I was young again.
Now the next thing I have to share with you relates to the municipal albergue, for all of you wishing to stay there you’ll be disappointed because it’s closed and I’m not sure when it will be open. Now the alternative is the albergue (private) La Luz, it’s run by Pilar who is exceptional. 12 euro including breakfast, lovely beds with full bedding and all tea and coffee facilities, I can’t praise it enough.
Well fellow pilgrims I hope this is a useful update of the first stage, it’s now time for me to have a cold beer. Oh I forget the weather has been really hot and dry, long may it continue.
I was thinking the same thing.. I hope you means it's fine and warm and pleasant walking.How hot can it be in February? What is the temperature?
Now I know your all waiting with baited breath to hear about the stream crossing...…………………………………………. Well some kind person has placed a steel girder just to the right, it is about 9 inches wide. On recommendations from Nalod the best way is to shuffle because it’s not really wide enough to walk across normally.
The temperature today was 18c and it’s going to be same all week.How hot can it be in February? What is the temperature?
I'm not to sure how deep it was I can say that I couldn’t see the bottom. The girder is not too bad if you don’t look down. I would recommend that if you use poles to stow those so your hands are free, just in case you need them to hang onto a sky hook.hmmmmm… sounds a bit scary-- 'walking the plank'... how deep was it., if you'd lost your balance and fallen in?
I wouldn't have expected the melt to have happened so early in the season..
Great info Waka....thankyou for reporting
Annie
Waka - most useful. I am starting 22 Mar so nice to know.The temperature today was 18c and it’s going to be same all week.
I'm not to sure how deep it was I can say that I couldn’t see the bottom. The girder is not too bad if you don’t look down. I would recommend that if you use poles to stow those so your hands are free, just in case you need them to hang onto a sky hook.
18c sounds like nice walking weather for me. Thanks and look forward to more updates. Especially about albergue availability, distances you walk and albergues to enjoy and those to avoid.Waka - most useful. I am starting 22 Mar so nice to know.
That’s great value Waka for a room to yourself.Something I forgot to mention last night. My guide book says that there are no facilities like water and food on this stage, well about half way through the Olive grove you will see a sign for Aguascalientes, the pipe comes out the ground with a tap on it.
The municipal albergue in Castilblanco was not open so I stayed in the Casa Salvador, very nice. You get a room to yourself for 14 euros. Also plenty of places to eat.
Typical predictive text, it should have red just Aqua. I’ll try and pay more attention next time.That’s great value Waka for a room to yourself.
Re the sign for hot water .,(Aguascalientes) was it super duper hot, or just warm?
Great tips and info you’re passing on - very helpful
Buen Camino
Annie
Waka, delighted to read this and keep up with you. I hope you sat back and fully enjoyed the scenery as you drove past it all! well done.The stage from hell, who ever named it this really got it right.
I’m going to start with the hill at the end, in my opinion it was a real killer, you can see it in the distance and you think I hope that’s not it, but it is.
I was
Lucky because I had a young women ahead of me and 3 students behind me, so it gave me peace of mind in case anything went wrong. I did make it but I have to say I was shattered. Now if your below 70 then you’ll find it no problem.
The walk through the park was really beautiful and the km seemed to disappear quickly. From the beginning of the park it took us about 3.5 hours.
Now the road section went better than I thought, 16 km down the road went very quickly and cost 30 euros in the taxi. In my view this wasn’t cheating or against any pilgrim tradition, it was just plain common sense. After driving it I knew full well that at my age I could not have completed this stage on foot.
Today has also been hot with know wind, I know this will change as I move North but I’m loving it while it last.
The stage from hell, who ever named it this really got it right.
I’m going to start with the hill at the end, in my opinion it was a real killer, you can see it in the distance and you think I hope that’s not it, but it is.
I was
Lucky because I had a young women ahead of me and 3 students behind me, so it gave me peace of mind in case anything went wrong. I did make it but I have to say I was shattered. Now if your below 70 then you’ll find it no problem.
The walk through the park was really beautiful and the km seemed to disappear quickly. From the beginning of the park it took us about 3.5 hours.
Now the road section went better than I thought, 16 km down the road went very quickly and cost 30 euros in the taxi. In my view this wasn’t cheating or against any pilgrim tradition, it was just plain common sense. After driving it I knew full well that at my age I could not have completed this stage on foot.
Today has also been hot with know wind, I know this will change as I move North but I’m loving it while it last.
Nice one.How about 69?
Thanks @Waka for pm response. Re the earlier day-Typical predictive text, it should have red just Aqua. I’ll try and pay more attention next time.
I alwasy recommend starting walking in Guillena, really...For all those following me I have some tips for. I was lucky to meet Nalod from the forum in the Hotel Simon yesterday, he had just finished a short 5 day Camino and was kind enough to share information, as they say always listen to the experienced pilgrim.
Firstly he showed me the first part of getting on my way from Sevilla, this really was useful, although I soon got lost, I was really surprised because this should never happen to someone with no sense of direction. I’m not sure whether it was me or just a lack of Camino signs, you really need eyes in the back of your head. You really need four people walking together two to look left and right and the other two up and down. The signs didn’t get regular until after Santiponse.
Now I know your all waiting with baited breath to hear about the stream crossing, I’ve been tracking the rainfall for the last 2 weeks hoping that I’d be able to just walk Acton the wet dip in the track, but alas this wasn’t to be.
Now if you have some for thought when packing and remember to pack you bikini and buggie smugglers then you’d have no problem crossing, although you may have had to have your backpack above your head.
Having forgotten to pack my bikini and buggie smugglers, and having missed the alternative route as discribed in GK’s guide I needed an alternative. Well some kind person has placed a steel girder just to the right, it is about 9 inches wide. On recommendations from Nalod the beat way is to shuffle because it’s not really wide enough to walk across normally. Mind you if your an ex gymnast you’ll have no problem you could even throw in a few summersalts, I so wish I was young again.
Now the next thing I have to share with you relates to the municipal albergue, for all of you wishing to stay there you’ll be disappointed because it’s closed and I’m not sure when it will be open. Now the alternative is the albergue (private) La Luz, it’s run by Pilar who is exceptional. 12 euro including breakfast, lovely beds with full bedding and all tea and coffee facilities, I can’t praise it enough.
Well fellow pilgrims I hope this is a useful update of the first stage, it’s now time for me to have a cold beer. Oh I forget the weather has been really hot and dry, long may it continue.
Where was the stage from hell. If you can identify places and Albergues etc it would be great. ThanksThe stage from hell, who ever named it this really got it right.
I’m going to start with the hill at the end, in my opinion it was a real killer, you can see it in the distance and you think I hope that’s not it, but it is.
I was
Lucky because I had a young women ahead of me and 3 students behind me, so it gave me peace of mind in case anything went wrong. I did make it but I have to say I was shattered. Now if your below 70 then you’ll find it no problem.
The walk through the park was really beautiful and the km seemed to disappear quickly. From the beginning of the park it took us about 3.5 hours.
Now the road section went better than I thought, 16 km down the road went very quickly and cost 30 euros in the taxi. In my view this wasn’t cheating or against any pilgrim tradition, it was just plain common sense. After driving it I knew full well that at my age I could not have completed this stage on foot.
Today has also been hot with know wind, I know this will change as I move North but I’m loving it while it last.
Sorry I was a bit vaque regarding locations. The stage from hell is between Castilblanco de los Arroyos and Almaden del la Plata. Yhe first section is 16 km up the side of the road, then through a lovely park until you come to the hill.Where was the stage from hell. If you can identify places and Albergues etc it would be great. Thanks
Hi Waka, your answer is a lot of help. I too am a pretty simple Perigrino. A clean albergue, with a decent bed and shower and hopefully cooking facilities makes me a happy person. So if you want to recommend them to me that would be great. As you can see I am following you very closely. I really want to walk the VDLP for many reasons. One is the solitude and facing possibly being alone for many days with very little contact. There are many reasons for this that (unless you are interested) I don't really need to bother you with. I have read about this section and I have heard similar comments like yours that the park is nice but the rest of the walk, well it ain't that great! So for me any specifics you want to comment on would be welcome by me. I think we are similar walkers at least in the area of distances and what we need to be content. Thanks so much and keep it coming and Buen Camino!!!Sorry I was a bit vaque regarding locations. The stage from hell is between Castilblanco de los Arroyos and Almaden del la Plata. Yhe first section is 16 km up the side of the road, then through a lovely park until you come to the hill.
Regarding Albergues I have had no problem, there aren’t as many open this early in the year and there are not many people around.
I don’t really like to recommend Albergues because people’s tastes vary. I’m a pretty basic sort of guy when I’m on Camino and as long as I get a bed and hot shower I’m happy.
Now you all must remember that I’ve had exceptionally good weather so far, to the stream crossing have been easy. I rainy weather some of the stages I’ve done could be really bad.
Hope this helps.
Wonder how the arroyos in the park are these days. They were a nightmare when I went through May 2011. Balancing on stones with frauding water around was not my favourite moment.The stage from hell, who ever named it this really got it right.
I’m going to start with the hill at the end, in my opinion it was a real killer, you can see it in the distance and you think I hope that’s not it, but it is.
I was
Lucky because I had a young women ahead of me and 3 students behind me, so it gave me peace of mind in case anything went wrong. I did make it but I have to say I was shattered. Now if your below 70 then you’ll find it no problem.
The walk through the park was really beautiful and the km seemed to disappear quickly. From the beginning of the park it took us about 3.5 hours.
Now the road section went better than I thought, 16 km down the road went very quickly and cost 30 euros in the taxi. In my view this wasn’t cheating or against any pilgrim tradition, it was just plain common sense. After driving it I knew full well that at my age I could not have completed this stage on foot.
Today has also been hot with know wind, I know this will change as I move North but I’m loving it while it last.
They have all been fine, there has been no rain for a couple of weeks. I’ll be leaving El Real de la Jara in an hour or so and I’m in for anothe sunny day.Wonder how the arroyos in the park are these days. They were a nightmare when I went through May 2011. Balancing on stones with frauding water around was not my favourite moment.
The hill at the end of the day is hard, but for me it’s all part of the journey and I’m glad that bit is behind me. But without the hill you wouldn’t be able to experience the fantastic views.Hi Waka, your answer is a lot of help. I too am a pretty simple Perigrino. A clean albergue, with a decent bed and shower and hopefully cooking facilities makes me a happy person. So if you want to recommend them to me that would be great. As you can see I am following you very closely. I really want to walk the VDLP for many reasons. One is the solitude and facing possibly being alone for many days with very little contact. There are many reasons for this that (unless you are interested) I don't really need to bother you with. I have read about this section and I have heard similar comments like yours that the park is nice but the rest of the walk, well it ain't that great! So for me any specifics you want to comment on would be welcome by me. I think we are similar walkers at least in the area of distances and what we need to be content. Thanks so much and keep it coming and Buen Camino!!!
Or 67.5??How about 69?
Waka thinks climbing up "el calvario" before Almadén de la Plata is hell. He has not reached "el puerto de castanos" between Grimaldo and Galisteo yet. You will start praying that the camino does not go up the mountain and that what you deem to be a forrest track is only for fire protection. But it is not. The hill seems to be never ending but in the end it is not really that bad. At least nothing in comparism to the Camino Primitivo.Where was the stage from hell. If you can identify places and Albergues etc it would be great. Thanks
I walked the Norte last year and I thought some of those hills were placed there directly from the bowels of hell. When I got to Santiago I met some friends who broke off from the Norte to walk the Primitivo and they said the hills there were worse. Did you walk the Norte too? If so can you compare? Hoping these hills do not measure up to the best (or worst depending on your adjective of course) on the Norte?Waka thinks climbing up "el calvario" before Almadén de la Plata is hell. He has not reached "el puerto de castanos" between Grimaldo and Galisteo yet. You will start praying that the camino does not go up the mountain and that what you deem to be a forrest track is only for fire protection. But it is not. The hill seems to be never ending but in the end it is not really that bad. At least nothing in comparism to the Camino Primitivo.
So helpful Waka...thanks!Now in Torremejia after a 27 km boring hike. Very few places to park the bum for a break. Take plenty of food and water on this stage because there is nothing.
On leaving Zafra a few days ago I, and the others got lost, the pilgrim signs just vanished, it looked as if they had been removed from the sides of buildings, eventually I came across a very small faint arrow.
I had heard from a friend that he encountered this problem with the arrrrows during his VDLP Camino. He also told me at times locals were less than helpful. (He has walked many caminos and he was shocked by that) .Zafra is a pretty big town, comparatively speaking. Did you leave so early that no one was around or did you not ask for help from the local townspeople?Now in Torremejia after a 27 km boring hike. Very few places to park the bum for a break. Take plenty of food and water on this stage because there is nothing.
On leaving Zafra a few days ago I, and the others got lost, the pilgrim signs just vanished, it looked as if they had been removed from the sides of buildings, eventually I came across a very small faint arrow.
Thanks so much for that information. My friend who walked from mid September of 2018 said that 35 and higher was a frequent occurrence. He left way before sunrise to insure he was off the Camino by 1 at the absolute latest. He thought it could be deadly after that.I was on the VdP in Mid September as well as late October. September is far too hot, according to AEMET (spanish meterologic institute) in average even hotter than June. Oktober is colder, but the days become shorter soon. So it is difficult, to get your laundry dry or to reach your destination by daylight doing longer stages. I also encountered many albergues without heating. And some mornings we had temperatures below 0°C. That is definitely not the period of the year in which I prefer being on the camino.
I have no difficulty with temperatures around 30°C. So I will stick to my original plan (Seville to Salamanca) unless the weather forecast predicts a longer period of temperatures above 35°C. Then I would go to Leon (Salvador+Primitivo) or Irun (Norte) instead.
BC
Alexandra
It wasn’t so early, I have found that the Camino doesn’t seem to be as well known and large towns so far have been badly marked.I had heard from a friend that he encountered this problem with the arrrrows during his VDLP Camino. He also told me at times locals were less than helpful. (He has walked many caminos and he was shocked by that) .Zafra is a pretty big town, comparatively speaking. Did you leave so early that no one was around or did you not ask for help from the local townspeople?
What I haven’t been able to with the app is show distances from my current position. I’ve done all the app asks but still no joy. Any idea?I agree. You are walking enough. There is nothing more frustrating than getting lost and adding unnecessary kilometers! When in doubt use the app!
I use maps.me . It is free to download. I had the route for the VdlP downloaded onto it. There is a function to show the distance from one point to another and options for walking or driving or public transport. I have used the walking setting and it seems fairly accurate. You could try it, but I would personally stay on the Camino route if it is suggesting different routing. Good luck.What I haven’t been able to with the app is show distances from my current position. I’ve done all the app asks but still no joy. Any idea?
Have a nice flight back. Sorry you can’t complete what you intent to walk. Enjoyed following your steps.I’m afraid that I have to return to the Uk, therefore Camino vdlp stopped. Now on the way to Madrid for a flight tomorrow evening.
Thanks for all the support
Sorry you have to cut short. Thanks for all your posts. Hope all will be well when you get to your home.I’m afraid that I have to return to the Uk, therefore Camino vdlp stopped. Now on the way to Madrid for a flight tomorrow evening.
Thanks for all the support
I’m afraid that I have to return to the Uk, therefore Camino vdlp stopped. Now on the way to Madrid for a flight tomorrow evening.
Thanks for all the support
Hope all is ok with you, sorry to hear that you had to return to U.K. Regards DermotI’m afraid that I have to return to the Uk, therefore Camino vdlp stopped. Now on the way to Madrid for a flight tomorrow evening.
Thanks for all the support
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