- Time of past OR future Camino
- Portugués Porto'17,Lisbon'18
Inglés A Coruña y Ferrol '18
Invierno'19
Hello,
This is my first time posting, I thought I would give my thoughts on our camino invierno since I have benefited so much from reading others thoughts.
My 17 year old son and I started the Camino invierno from Ponferrada on Sunday April 14,2019. He is on break from school for semana santa and I had a concert the 13th so we only had/have 9 days, I can't imagine doing this Camino in any less time probably better more time!!
Day one Ponferrada - Puente de domingo florez
My husband drove our son and I to Ponferrada from our home in A Coruña where we have lived for 25+ years, we are American by birth and Spanish by choice. This was an amazing day but too long, I would probably choose the other 9 day itinerary from the guide the next time or allow more days. The climb to Villavieja let me know exactly why I was on camino again, tired body but clear mind, I would not want to have missed this tramo but going all the way to puente de domingo florez it might have been easier to have skipped this. As médulas of course is a sight to see, but we couldn't stop long 8 more km to go and downhill for me is always tougher. We stayed at the Hostal La Torre ll. Our room was sufficient and the food was good as we couldn't walk anywhere else!! The bar opens at 6am for the early risers.
Day two puente de domingo florez - A Rua
We knew we would run into rain so we got an early start, we probably spent half the day in pouring rain but it was still beautiful. We stayed in the Pacio do Sil. A nice place but definitely not in town, for the tired I suggest you get anything you need before walking up since the next day is without services and at least 27km. For us we walked down and back up....the beds, as mentioned by others, were wonderful, I asked the owner the next morning and he said that he gets calls about the mattresses and that he spent his working life walking and needed a good bed so he has them for everyone. He said the manufacturer doesn't matter that you need 'gran confort 35 kilos' if anyone is interested. One other interesting thing, on the back of the door are the rules of the establishment one of which is 'no washing clothes'.....
Day three A Rua-Quiroga
This tramo as mentioned in the guide, is without any services. The first kms are indeed on a road however it was a lovely walk for my son and I. From Montefurado to Hermione is just beautiful but I would not want to do it in the rain, we were there the day after a very rainy day and at one point slipping down a slate trail. We stayed at the Hostal Dimar and it was nice. A'familia' grocery one minute down the street, and a new restaurant opened in March (2019) in the building of the hostal, it smelled great but we didn't eat there, after a long day with out stopping to eat much, we had bread and cheese from the familia and then slept, the long days are catching up, and the longest tomorrow.
Day four Monforte - Chantada
Today, my birthday, we knew we had 35 to go with a forcast of rain after 5pm and 20+ before a place to stop so we started off early. I must admit that this is the one place so far that the guide was confusing it has you 'continue on N120 for serveral km' however I don't believe we ever walk on the N -120 but on the LU-933, because at the intersection we almost got on to the 120 ( thinking we were continuing) instead of crossing to the derelict nightclub, mind you it was still dark so I can't be sure but for those good with maps it is worth a look. In addition to the forum guide we have been using the wise pilgrim app. Today even though it was long we throughly enjoyed it, the climbs were not too tough as the cloudy cool day helped. We arrived in Monforte just as the rain started and we took the way by the train station no mud needed for us!! We stayed at the Hostal Midievo. What a cute place and Lorena was just lovely. I did laundry at a laundromat about 6 min away back on the camino and we ate Telepizza, a perfect way to celebrate my 52 years.
Day five Monforte - Chantada
My favorite day so far, the view across the miño as you walk down a Roman road looking at the walk up the vines you will do.....just timeless. We stayed in the Hotel Mogay no discount during semana santa but it was very nice my son was in heaven. We ate at the Oagocho pizzería-cafetería ( can you see a theme? 17 year old....) I really liked the staff here and the food as well.
Day six Chantada - Rodeiro
I have to say this was a tough day for me with out reason. We walked in complete fog so no view for us at the top of Monte Faro, we couldn't even see the windmills!! We stayed at the Hostal Carpinterías which was nice. They are just finishing up their new Albergue, it will open on April 27,19, with space for 30 and a small kitchen, I took a peek and it looks great for those that want an Albergue.
Day seven Rodeiro - Lalin
Today we chose the road option and we're glad we did. It was nice to arrive before noon and yes it is on the road but there were still nice views to be seen and it was so nice to sit for coffee after just an hours walk!! I like that the Camino isn't a through hike.
I am now sitting in the kitchen of the Hostal Carracas doing laundry (2€ wash 2-4€dry) contemplating the end of another camino. The invierno will end soon after we start tomorrow on our way to Ponte Ulla and Monday to Santiago, then a short drive home to A Coruña. Tuesday will find my son back for his last few weeks of high school and then I will have 3 college kids and one more to get through high school (not easy in Spain). I can't promise to write about the last two days since real life will take over as soon as I step through the door at home. Thank you for reading and please excuse any typos, I'm using my phone and you know auto correct.......
And a huge thank you to everyone for putting yourselves out there and helping us 'readers' you have inspired me to try to help!!
Buen Camino!!!!
MaryEllen
This is my first time posting, I thought I would give my thoughts on our camino invierno since I have benefited so much from reading others thoughts.
My 17 year old son and I started the Camino invierno from Ponferrada on Sunday April 14,2019. He is on break from school for semana santa and I had a concert the 13th so we only had/have 9 days, I can't imagine doing this Camino in any less time probably better more time!!
Day one Ponferrada - Puente de domingo florez
My husband drove our son and I to Ponferrada from our home in A Coruña where we have lived for 25+ years, we are American by birth and Spanish by choice. This was an amazing day but too long, I would probably choose the other 9 day itinerary from the guide the next time or allow more days. The climb to Villavieja let me know exactly why I was on camino again, tired body but clear mind, I would not want to have missed this tramo but going all the way to puente de domingo florez it might have been easier to have skipped this. As médulas of course is a sight to see, but we couldn't stop long 8 more km to go and downhill for me is always tougher. We stayed at the Hostal La Torre ll. Our room was sufficient and the food was good as we couldn't walk anywhere else!! The bar opens at 6am for the early risers.
Day two puente de domingo florez - A Rua
We knew we would run into rain so we got an early start, we probably spent half the day in pouring rain but it was still beautiful. We stayed in the Pacio do Sil. A nice place but definitely not in town, for the tired I suggest you get anything you need before walking up since the next day is without services and at least 27km. For us we walked down and back up....the beds, as mentioned by others, were wonderful, I asked the owner the next morning and he said that he gets calls about the mattresses and that he spent his working life walking and needed a good bed so he has them for everyone. He said the manufacturer doesn't matter that you need 'gran confort 35 kilos' if anyone is interested. One other interesting thing, on the back of the door are the rules of the establishment one of which is 'no washing clothes'.....
Day three A Rua-Quiroga
This tramo as mentioned in the guide, is without any services. The first kms are indeed on a road however it was a lovely walk for my son and I. From Montefurado to Hermione is just beautiful but I would not want to do it in the rain, we were there the day after a very rainy day and at one point slipping down a slate trail. We stayed at the Hostal Dimar and it was nice. A'familia' grocery one minute down the street, and a new restaurant opened in March (2019) in the building of the hostal, it smelled great but we didn't eat there, after a long day with out stopping to eat much, we had bread and cheese from the familia and then slept, the long days are catching up, and the longest tomorrow.
Day four Monforte - Chantada
Today, my birthday, we knew we had 35 to go with a forcast of rain after 5pm and 20+ before a place to stop so we started off early. I must admit that this is the one place so far that the guide was confusing it has you 'continue on N120 for serveral km' however I don't believe we ever walk on the N -120 but on the LU-933, because at the intersection we almost got on to the 120 ( thinking we were continuing) instead of crossing to the derelict nightclub, mind you it was still dark so I can't be sure but for those good with maps it is worth a look. In addition to the forum guide we have been using the wise pilgrim app. Today even though it was long we throughly enjoyed it, the climbs were not too tough as the cloudy cool day helped. We arrived in Monforte just as the rain started and we took the way by the train station no mud needed for us!! We stayed at the Hostal Midievo. What a cute place and Lorena was just lovely. I did laundry at a laundromat about 6 min away back on the camino and we ate Telepizza, a perfect way to celebrate my 52 years.
Day five Monforte - Chantada
My favorite day so far, the view across the miño as you walk down a Roman road looking at the walk up the vines you will do.....just timeless. We stayed in the Hotel Mogay no discount during semana santa but it was very nice my son was in heaven. We ate at the Oagocho pizzería-cafetería ( can you see a theme? 17 year old....) I really liked the staff here and the food as well.
Day six Chantada - Rodeiro
I have to say this was a tough day for me with out reason. We walked in complete fog so no view for us at the top of Monte Faro, we couldn't even see the windmills!! We stayed at the Hostal Carpinterías which was nice. They are just finishing up their new Albergue, it will open on April 27,19, with space for 30 and a small kitchen, I took a peek and it looks great for those that want an Albergue.
Day seven Rodeiro - Lalin
Today we chose the road option and we're glad we did. It was nice to arrive before noon and yes it is on the road but there were still nice views to be seen and it was so nice to sit for coffee after just an hours walk!! I like that the Camino isn't a through hike.
I am now sitting in the kitchen of the Hostal Carracas doing laundry (2€ wash 2-4€dry) contemplating the end of another camino. The invierno will end soon after we start tomorrow on our way to Ponte Ulla and Monday to Santiago, then a short drive home to A Coruña. Tuesday will find my son back for his last few weeks of high school and then I will have 3 college kids and one more to get through high school (not easy in Spain). I can't promise to write about the last two days since real life will take over as soon as I step through the door at home. Thank you for reading and please excuse any typos, I'm using my phone and you know auto correct.......
And a huge thank you to everyone for putting yourselves out there and helping us 'readers' you have inspired me to try to help!!
Buen Camino!!!!
MaryEllen
