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.