LIVE from the Camino Here i go again

[OxfordHiker]

Back on the Frances and hope to get to Santiago this time.
This is my 3rd part of this Camino, 1st to Logrono 2022, 2nd to Leon 2023.
After a bit of a hectic day getting to Leon from my home in Oxford (UK) I started with a short tour to the parts of city I missed last year then set out for Oncina and Albergue El Pagar. Once I cleared the suburbs the short walk to Oncina was enjoyable, shame to see the fire damage en route, the Albergue is very nice and only 8 beds, 3 of which are not taken yet, maybe some more pilgrims later
Villavante tomorrow a mere 20km's
Laurence

 

[davejsy]

Albergue El Pagar

Oh how I loved that place. Say hi to Olga

 

[NerdGjerd]

I was looking this up for future reference, and seems to be "Albergue El Pajar" with a "j". In "Oncina de la Valdoncina" on a southern variant after "La Virgen del Camino" - In case that helps other newbies like me having a hard time finding the location. I could easily be wrong, I am new.

 

[davejsy]

I was looking this up for future reference, and seems to be "Albergue El Pajar" with a "j". In "Oncina de la Valdoncina" on a southern variant after "La Virgen del Camino" - In case that helps other newbies like me having a hard time finding the location. I could easily be wrong, I am new.

Correct. The variant takes you away from the main road and is well worth it if time is on your side. The Albergue is wonderful, small (as mentioned only about 8 beds and I think 1 private room) and quaint, and if I recall the pilgrim meal was about 10 euros. You are basically staying in Olga's house and it is very homely.

Albergue El Pajar de Oncina - León · C. Arriba, 4, 24391 Oncina de la Valdoncina, León, Spain

★★★★★ · Serviced accommodation

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[olj]

I stayed there in the spring with only 3 other pilgrims and it was lovely! The inner courtyard was so peaceful with a hammock and soft music. One of my favourite stops on the Camino!

 

[KariannNor]

I stayed there in the spring with only 3 other pilgrims and it was lovely! The inner courtyard was so peaceful with a hammock and soft music. One of my favourite stops on the Camino!

And the dog and cats

 

[OxfordHiker]

Oops sorry about the spelling error.
Yea place was really good.
In Villavante at Albergue Santa Lucia now looks really good nice and clean.
Booked the pilgrim meal, breakfast and the take away packed lunch, see how it all goes.
Laurence

 

[OxfordHiker]

In Rabanal del Camino now after great stay at Albergue So Por Hoje in Astorga really nice Albergue with our host Paricia.
Off to El Acebo tomorrow passing the Cruz de Ferro .
Met some great people to walk with so all good
Laurence

 

[OxfordHiker]

Rabanal del Camino to El Acebo that's a hike to remember, not to bad on the accent but the decent was brutal, so many loose rocks and extremely sharp decent.
Anyway made it and all is good
Laurence

 

[OxfordHiker]

Im still going.
Made it to Las Herrerias from Villafranca del Bierzo in pouring rain today, not the best of days but certainly shows the shortcomings in my rain gear and I thought they were all good.
Never mind all dry and warm now.
Up to O Cebriero in the morning

 

[NerdGjerd]

Glad you’re all dry and warm now! If you have time: What was your rain gear and how did it perform?

 

[trecile]

I stayed there in the spring with only 3 other pilgrims and it was lovely!

I waa the only pilgrim there in June of this year!
Lovely place, and I loved looking at all the photographs on the walls.

 

[CWBuff]

In Rabanal del Camino now after great stay at Albergue So Por Hoje in Astorga really nice Albergue with our host Paricia.
Off to El Acebo tomorrow passing the Cruz de Ferro .
Met some great people to walk with so all good
Laurence

LOVE So Por Hoje and Pat!

 

[OxfordHiker]

Glad you’re all dry and warm now! If you have time: What was your rain gear and how did it perform?

Hi NerdGjerd, OK my jacket is a Berghaus , the tag says100 percent polyamide with ePTFE membrane
Solid lining100 percent polyamide
Mesh lining 100 percent polyester
The Sleve is marked GORE-TEX, oh a its Red
Trouser,Craighoppers, is 100 Percent Polyamide, in fairness they worked ok if they stayed up
Jacket was the problem where it was wetting pretty much all over

Laurence

 

[OxfordHiker]

Managed to get up to O Cebreiro today, unfortunately it rained again most of the way and i got wet and cold this time, so I bought a plastic poncho and hope that will bring the sun out tomorrow
Staying at Albergue Compelo, 5 sets bunks in the room, heating is on so nice and cosy and it's still raining
Of to Triacastella tomorrow
Laurence

 

[OxfordHiker]

Was I right about my new poncho.
Today's yomp to Triacastela was in beautiful sunshine from start to finish so definitely worth getting one.
Triacastela is a nice enough village but very pilgrim focused.
It was a mere 21.5kms from O Cebriero but a bit of a climb to Alto Pio then quite a decent to Triacastela. I could almost hear my knees crying.
So off to Sarria tomorrow to join the last 100 circus, should be fun.
Laurence

 

[JillGat]

Correct. The variant takes you away from the main road and is well worth it if time is on your side. The Albergue is wonderful, small (as mentioned only about 8 beds and I think 1 private room) and quaint, and if I recall the pilgrim meal was about 10 euros. You are basically staying in Olga's house and it is very homely.

Albergue El Pajar de Oncina - León · C. Arriba, 4, 24391 Oncina de la Valdoncina, León, Spain

★★★★★ · Serviced accommodation

maps.app.goo.gl

Possibly my FAVORITE albergue on the Frances last time I walked!

 

[OxfordHiker]

Oops had a bit of a stumble on route to Sarria on track through the woods coming from Triacastela. Right knee is a bit knac###ed. Sought help in the Albergue and the Pharmacy In Sarria and on my way again if not a little more slowly.
Got to Hosteria de Gonzar so still on my way even if the walk from Ferreios did take 6 hours.
What is amazing is all the people both shop workers and Pilgrims come to the rescue, I was all for calling it a day. Simply astonishing
Laurence

 

[OxfordHiker]

Moved from Gonzar to Palas de Rei today only 18km but the rain just kept coming, lots of Pilgrims with wet boots/ shoes in the morning, might be a lot of changing socks along the road
Albergue Castro is well sorted with 3 bunks I our room only problem may be the bar/restaurant being open to 10.30, we'll see.
Very little rain for tomorrow so fingers crossed

 

[OxfordHiker]

Well I am still going, arrived in Arzua today and checked in at the Albergue San Francisco, really nice,clean and well organised. Two more walking/hobbling days to Santiago.
I'm getting goose bumps already

 

[OxfordHiker]

At 11.51 today 7th October 2024 I walked out of the Santiago Pilgrim Office with my Compostela.
So glad for All the help and advice from this forum and everybody I met over the 3 years this has taken to achieve
Laurence

 

[KariannNor]

At 11.51 today 7th October 2024 I walked out of the Santiago Pilgrim Office with my Compostela.
So glad for All the help and advice from this forum and everybody I met over the 3 years this has taken to achieve
Laurence

Congratulations, well done

 

[OxfordHiker]

Congratulations, well done

Thanks Kari, means alot