The beginning of this way is rather urbanised. Its not inspiring on a very wet and stormy day.
Coming into Pontedeume turn right after the bridge to the Antiguas Longas to find the albergue. I think these are old storage depots from earlier times. Tel 981733039 or 630 609 756 to have it opened. I was the first this year, so if you want a quiet time come in Feb.....I saw no other pilg on the way. This alb is in a superb location on the waterfront; there is no kitchen, no blankets, no heating and no charge. For a bit of warmth on a cold wet windy day, I could have used the Hostal Luis, Calle San Augustin 12 for 12 euros tel 981430235. But I was coñmmitted to the alb so no complaints. Ponte is interesting and a nice 13 k from Nera; a good place to stay a day - in summer that is.
From Ferrol the yellow arrows ranged from good to poor to non existent; in Fene, they vanished totally, at a crossroads. I searched the likely ways to no avail. I didnt have a guide book incidentally. But flechas are a bonus and not a right so thats ok.
Miño, like every alb at this time,needs you to have a phone to get the place opened. If there is no number there, find and phone the Proteccion Civil. They are nice people.
Talking of nice people , its tough to see the Spanish being impoverished by fraudulent bankers (no extraordinary rendition for them of course) visible in the number of properties to rent/for sale/neglected as well as stalled building projects. Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Greece and the UK is next to sink. And the US has 50 million in poverty.
Betanzos - no alb but you can use the sports hall. There is no cooker, mattresses or blankets and no light at night. But nobody said a camino would be luxurious so thats just fine. Its dry, and it has a roof so you can stop there quite happlly.
So in answer to those who PMd -yes you need a sleeping bag and also a phone - but remember my walk was in Feb and I was the first this year. Later, you may find the albs open.
Yet,winter or not, there were blossoms on trees, in the wind and rain, and I saw a few primroses. Also oranges on trees - and how is possible that I can eat oranges from the tree in Nov on the CP and do the same on the CI in Feb? Beats me, maestro.
Yet the first and last parts of my Feb walk were characterised by wind, rain and low cloud - very low at times! I expected foghorns to sound - now that would have been atmospheric....
I liked this CI. I was there at the worst time of year for weather which at times was a bit difficult..But I was rewarded with a nice walk and when it wasnt raining, the skies were really dramatic. The last part, as has been said elsewhere, is rather less inspiring, but this is our world and its all part of the deal.
Doing this walk again would mean I´d come in summer, for I missed the warmth, but I was rewarded in other ways. You will be too.
Coming into Pontedeume turn right after the bridge to the Antiguas Longas to find the albergue. I think these are old storage depots from earlier times. Tel 981733039 or 630 609 756 to have it opened. I was the first this year, so if you want a quiet time come in Feb.....I saw no other pilg on the way. This alb is in a superb location on the waterfront; there is no kitchen, no blankets, no heating and no charge. For a bit of warmth on a cold wet windy day, I could have used the Hostal Luis, Calle San Augustin 12 for 12 euros tel 981430235. But I was coñmmitted to the alb so no complaints. Ponte is interesting and a nice 13 k from Nera; a good place to stay a day - in summer that is.
From Ferrol the yellow arrows ranged from good to poor to non existent; in Fene, they vanished totally, at a crossroads. I searched the likely ways to no avail. I didnt have a guide book incidentally. But flechas are a bonus and not a right so thats ok.
Miño, like every alb at this time,needs you to have a phone to get the place opened. If there is no number there, find and phone the Proteccion Civil. They are nice people.
Talking of nice people , its tough to see the Spanish being impoverished by fraudulent bankers (no extraordinary rendition for them of course) visible in the number of properties to rent/for sale/neglected as well as stalled building projects. Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Greece and the UK is next to sink. And the US has 50 million in poverty.
Betanzos - no alb but you can use the sports hall. There is no cooker, mattresses or blankets and no light at night. But nobody said a camino would be luxurious so thats just fine. Its dry, and it has a roof so you can stop there quite happlly.
So in answer to those who PMd -yes you need a sleeping bag and also a phone - but remember my walk was in Feb and I was the first this year. Later, you may find the albs open.
Yet,winter or not, there were blossoms on trees, in the wind and rain, and I saw a few primroses. Also oranges on trees - and how is possible that I can eat oranges from the tree in Nov on the CP and do the same on the CI in Feb? Beats me, maestro.
Yet the first and last parts of my Feb walk were characterised by wind, rain and low cloud - very low at times! I expected foghorns to sound - now that would have been atmospheric....
I liked this CI. I was there at the worst time of year for weather which at times was a bit difficult..But I was rewarded with a nice walk and when it wasnt raining, the skies were really dramatic. The last part, as has been said elsewhere, is rather less inspiring, but this is our world and its all part of the deal.
Doing this walk again would mean I´d come in summer, for I missed the warmth, but I was rewarded in other ways. You will be too.
