Casa Avelina

[TravellingMan22]

@Peterexpatkiwi and a few others have mentioned this place on the Ingles, and a know a few folks are planning an Ingles Camino so I though I would share the tip.

Just a place with a real buzz and certainly a highlight of any Camino. It’s just north of Bruma.

I was there today and loved it. I didn’t have much of a breakfast in Betanzos so was very hungry when I got there. Just as well as the ‘normal size’ bocadillo was huge even by Spain standards. What was quite interesting was that I ordered Tomato and Tuna, it came out with just Tomato in, accompanied by a full unopened can of Tuna. It amazing how difficult opening a can of tuna without making a mess can be on a hot day after 15kms.

I loved to have got settled in and cracked on with the vino, but sadly (or maybe thankfully) I am staying in Ordes so there was still lots of ground to cover!

 

[jcat]

My bocadillo there in 2023. *won't let me upload a pic, but it was huge!

 

[TravellingMan22]

My bocadillo there in 2023. *won't let me upload a pic, but it was huge!

Indeed. I didn’t realise and seeing ‘normal size’… I nearly ordered two! First time I have been given a carving knife with a bocadillo!

 

[Kirkie]

It is certainly a place to remember. The day we dropped in, or drooped in, soaking wet, the two sisters who run the place were all over the shop, literally, helping all the sodden pilgrims and restoring us with kindness.

 

[Tincatinker]

There is one spot on the Camino Ingles that will one day, sadly but ultimately, become a shrine. I have met those sisters in sunshine and in rain in good humour and as pissed off as a Tinker can get when inclined. Them, they’ve just done their thing: feed, water, heed, nurture.

There’s an odd way in which they can meet a need that even the needy may not have realized that they had.

I told Avelina “last time, this time”. She laughed…

 

[crackmrmac]

Lovely to read your stories. Passed by recently in mid October wet morning and considered stopping for second breakfast / removing poncho etc
Blah, blah. I walked onwards. Maybe next time

Buen Camino.

 

[Tincatinker]

Lovely to read your stories. Passed by recently in mid October wet morning and considered stopping for second breakfast / removing poncho etc
Blah, blah. I walked onwards. Maybe next time

Buen Camino.

You’ll find yourself there when you need to be

 

[Blister Bill]

Thank you for posting this. I stopped at Casa Avelina twice this week; once in the pouring rain and once after a good puff up the hill from Sergude. What the Camino is all about for me, genuine kindness and generosity and done in such an unassuming way. My heart truly melted especially when mum came out as well. If you could bottle the essence of this place the world would be a better place.

Ps Getting a footstool, chair for my pack, tables moved when she spotted I was using my battery pack so a socket was free, the biscuits pushed into my hand as I left - priceless

 

[TravellingMan22]

Thank you for posting this. I stopped at Casa Avelina twice this week; once in the pouring rain and once after a good puff up the hill from Sergude. What the Camino is all about for me, genuine kindness and generosity and done in such an unassuming way. My heart truly melted especially when mum came out as well. If you could bottle the essence of this place the world would be a better place.

Ps Getting a footstool, chair for my pack, tables moved when she spotted I was using my battery pack so a socket was free, the biscuits pushed into my hand as I left - priceless

Yes I got the ‘no need to use your battery pack’ and movement of table to show there is a socket down there treatment!

 

[Blister Bill]

Yes I got the ‘no need to use your battery pack’ and movement of table to show there is a socket down there treatment!

All unprompted. I'd just point out having seen the photo that I was not lactating but had done the 10km uphill from Sergude in well under 2hours and my front pockets trap a certain amount of moisture

 

[nickyvee]

Pit stop there last May for much needed rest and refreshment. Had a huge bread and an unopened can of tuna And if that wasn't enough, she gave us cookies.

 

[LucVdB]

Super nice place on the Ingles. Was there in January 2024.
No escaping having you feet up on a small stool to rest
Also, don't forget to stock up on groceries before continuing.

 

[dcalonder12]

Yes! It was one of our “delights” of our Camino this year. It’s right where the A Coruña and Ferrol routes come together, so you start seeing new peregrinos there. We also arrived wet from the rain, and were immediately taken care of. Avelina insisted on a group picture with her American flag! It was precious.

 

[MaxHelado]

I too got the footstool, the tin of tuna and a licor de café. I then noticed the two old boys with a bottle of something on the next table.
“What’s that?” I asked
“Cognac“ she said.
“Oooh” said I, “I have to try that”
“No” she said “it does not mix with licor de cafe” and walked away.
Maybe next time.

 

[nilesite]

I don’t mean to be That Guy, but I’m not a big fan. The sandwich I had was three times what I could eat. And when I refused the chair to put my feet up, and said I already had accommodations booked ahead, she huffed off and the only spoke to the pilgrim I was sitting with. She’s quite a hustler, I’ll give her that.

 

[Pilgrim2022]

@Peterexpatkiwi and a few others have mentioned this place on the Ingles, and a know a few folks are planning an Ingles Camino so I though I would share the tip.

Just a place with a real buzz and certainly a highlight of any Camino. It’s just north of Bruma.

I was there today and loved it. I didn’t have much of a breakfast in Betanzos so was very hungry when I got there. Just as well as the ‘normal size’ bocadillo was huge even by Spain standards. What was quite interesting was that I ordered Tomato and Tuna, it came out with just Tomato in, accompanied by a full unopened can of Tuna. It amazing how difficult opening a can of tuna without making a mess can be on a hot day after 15kms.

I loved to have got settled in and cracked on with the vino, but sadly (or maybe thankfully) I am staying in Ordes so there was still lots of ground to cover!

There is one spot on the Camino Ingles that will one day, sadly but ultimately, become a shrine. I have met those sisters in sunshine and in rain in good humour and as pissed off as a Tinker can get when inclined. Them, they’ve just done their thing: feed, water, heed, nurture.

There’s an odd way in which they can meet a need that even the needy may not have realized that they had.

I told Avelina “last time, this time”. She laughed…

I, too, stopped here after a long walk in the rain. It was perfect!!! Wonderful people, delicious sandwich! Everyone was happy there, staff and customers! I would recommend it to anyone walking the Ingles!!!

 

[Varekai]

These ladies are true angels of the Camino. I had heard about how amazing they are, but to actually experience their hospitality was something else. The bocadillos are truly enormous though. One of them could easily feed two people.

We also encountered a lovely British man who lives in the area and was visiting the bar that day. We chatted and he bought us drinks, which was so amazing. After a long walk from Betanzos, getting to experience this warmth was everything you could ever want on the Camino.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

The true beauty of Casa Avelina, IMHO, is the way that the sisters make everyone feel like family -- not only their own family, but with one another. I'm still in touch with someone I met only there only briefly and never again on the path, simply because of the warmth that is spread throughout that room.

 

[walkcam2]

Super nice place on the Ingles. Was there in January 2024.
No escaping having you feet up on a small stool to rest
Also, don't forget to stock up on groceries before continuing.

So lovely to see such kindness! Buen camino !

 

[Pilgrim2022]

I, too, stopped here after a long walk in the rain. It was perfect!!! Wonderful people, delicious sandwich! Everyone was happy there, staff and customers! I would recommend it to anyone walking the Ingles!!!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@Peterexpatkiwi and a few others have mentioned this place on the Ingles, and a know a few folks are planning an Ingles Camino so I though I would share the tip.

Just a place with a real buzz and certainly a highlight of any Camino. It’s just north of Bruma.

A month ago while walking the Camino Ingles I was unaware of the existence of Casa Avelina, and ironically we had sat on a granite bench on the sidewalk to eat our picnic lunch in the sun. After finishing and on our way, we walked a mere half a block further and noticed a bar (Casa Avelina) that looked very busy as we walked by.
In hindsight it looks like we unfortunately missed a real gem on Camino Ingles.

 

[TravellingMan22]

A month ago while walking the Camino Ingles I was unaware of the existence of Casa Avelina, and ironically we had sat on a granite bench on the sidewalk to eat our picnic lunch in the sun. After finishing and on our way, we walked a mere half a block further and noticed a bar (Casa Avelina) that looked very busy as we walked by.
In hindsight it looks like we unfortunately missed a real gem on Camino Ingles.

Ah never mind. We all miss the odd thing, and normally I miss loads as I don’t do much research! Thankfully @Peterexpatkiwi tipped me off a while back.

I used your ‘live from the Camino’ postings as my main ‘go to’ actually, so thank you for that !

 

[Blister Bill]

I don’t mean to be That Guy, but I’m not a big fan. The sandwich I had was three times what I could eat. And when I refused the chair to put my feet up, and said I already had accommodations booked ahead, she huffed off and the only spoke to the pilgrim I was sitting with. She’s quite a hustler, I’ll give her that.

I've thought about your post for a while especially your comment about being "quite the hustler". Forgetting you could have just taken the excess sandwich with you if too big and that maybe your refusal of her footstool/attitude may have caused offense and hence your interpretation of "huffing off", but the thing about this place that you may have missed is that there is absolutely no competition. She does not need to do anything and we pilgrims will eat and drink at her establishment day in, day out. This was patently obvious later that day where I experienced again the not uncommon cold hospitality (over a lengthy period) at an establishment that also had the market cornered and where I spent far more. What Casa Avelina offers is genuine hospitality. I failed to see the hustle and I'm pretty attuned to it. What I experienced was genuine kindness, hospitality and generosity from a woman who, quite frankly, doesn't have to do a thing extra for the custom. In fact, refusing payment for the additional food that she, in a very maternal way, insisted I have and take. She showed genuine interest in me and the pilgrims who came in after me. She took the time to engage with us all. She imparted something that cost me nothing but left me with an indelible memory. She was generous materially, in time and in spirit and I'm sorry for whatever reason you missed that because it was a true highlight for me and for many and she is therefore worthy of defence from your mean spirited post.

 

[nilesite]

I’m happy you found her in better spirits.

 

[Blister Bill]

Here's a wonderful post from the wise pilgrim app from a German pilgrim for anyone in anyway doubting the sincerity of these wonderful women. I'm reminded of a biblical quote; "There are none so blind as those who will not see."

 

[MaxHelado]

"There are none so blind as those who will not see."

Is this a second "pop" at nilesite? I do hope not.
I have already shared my own positive experience of a visit to Casa Avelina but I appreciate that others experiences may be different and equally valid.

 

[Blister Bill]

Is this a second "pop" at nilesite? I do hope not.
I have already shared my own positive experience of a visit to Casa Avelina but I appreciate that others experiences may be different and equally valid.

Hi Max, good for you and glad you also had a great experience and thanks for sharing.

 

[truenorthpilgrm]

What was quite interesting was that I ordered Tomato and Tuna, it came out with just Tomato in, accompanied by a full unopened can of Tuna.

This feels like this is the essence of how Spanish approach food - very literally.