Credential is full, where to acquire a new one on del Norte

[SirenGray]

I am currently in Soto del Barco and, because several recent sellos have been quite large taking up two spaces, I find I have only two sello spaces left. What to do? Can anyone suggest known places on the Camino ahead where a new credential would be available? Should I simply have the back of my credential stamped until I can find a new one? What a fun problem to have!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola, most large albergues should have them, also check major churches.

 

[trecile]

The Albergue de Peregrinos in Soto de Luiña has credentials.

Albergue de peregrinos de Soto de Luiña | Albergue de Peregrinos en Soto de Luiña | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue de peregrinos de Soto de Luiña, en Soto de Luiña: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

 

[SirenGray]

Hola, most large albergues should have them, also check major churches.

Thank you, Saint Mike ll. We have yet to find a church open on the entire journey, even on Sundays! Even Santa Eulalia was locked up tight yesterday… while there was a service being held inside! So bizarre. I’ll keep my eyes open for sizable albergues—and open churches—ahead.

 

[SirenGray]

The Albergue de Peregrinos in Soto de Luiña has credentials.

Albergue de peregrinos de Soto de Luiña | Albergue de Peregrinos en Soto de Luiña | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue de peregrinos de Soto de Luiña, en Soto de Luiña: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

Wonderful, trecile! We will be there tomorrow. Muchos gracias!

 

[trecile]

Also check tourist information offices. Even the smallest towns seem to have one.

 

[Camineiro]

If everything fails just attach a sheet of paper with glue to your credencial.

 

[SirenGray]

If everything fails just attach a sheet of paper with glue to your credencial.

Excellent idea! Wish I’d thought of it.

 

[Saint Mike II]

As a general answer to this question, May I suggest the following: take two credentials, cut the front (face) page off and then join this shorter passport onto an original, complete one. This will give you room for upwards of 65+ stamp places.
I have suggested that Camino Authorities consider producing two size credentials, one with say 30 spaces for 100km bucket list pilgrims and another with 70 spaces for the full Camino trekkers. This larger one would definitely suit those on the Via de la Plata.

 

[SirenGray]

The Albergue de Peregrinos in Soto de Luiña has credentials.

Albergue de peregrinos de Soto de Luiña | Albergue de Peregrinos en Soto de Luiña | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue de peregrinos de Soto de Luiña, en Soto de Luiña: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

I hesitate to say anything about the Albergue de Peregrinos in Soto de Luiña as I don’t want to come across as disrespectful or judgemental , but I also feel I could offer an update to conditions we found there this afternoon. When we arrived at the anlbergue about 17:30, we didn’t know where to find the entrance as there was just a dirt path cutting across an unkempt lawn. We went to the left and found an open door but the vestibule was littered with trash and there was no sign of life. At the other end of the building was a French pilgrim who tried his best to help us by using Google translate. He and his companion were the only pilgrims there, and he said a man had shown up earlier, took their money and left without offering them any information of any kind. A sign on the littered desk inside told newcomers to claim a bed and someone would return at 20:30 to collect their money. I returned about 20:00, aware I was early, but no one was there and no lights were on. I looked around the desk thinking I could leave a few euros in exchange for a new credential if I spied one, but there was nothing but trash in the open drawers and surrounding area. I left quickly and met the two pilgrims coming back from town. They said they were still the only pilgrims there, and they hadn’t seen anyone else but me.

Perhaps in the busier summer months there are more pilgrims to give the place life. But if I had planned to stay there today after a full day’s walk, I would have been very uncomfortable. While the sleeping area and the bathrooms looked clean, the rest of the albergue looked sad, tired, dirty and on the verge of abandonment.

I offer this merely as a precaution to consider when deciding where to stay in Soto de Luiña…and also that it may not be a viable option for a credential, especially later into October.

 

[David Tallan]

As a general answer to this question, May I suggest the following: take two credentials, cut the front (face) page off and then join this shorter passport onto an original, complete one. This will give you room for upwards of 65+ stamp places.
I have suggested that Camino Authorities consider producing two size credentials, one with say 30 spaces for 100km bucket list pilgrims and another with 70 spaces for the full Camino trekkers. This larger one would definitely suit those on the Via de la Plata.

Or, you can just use two credentials without all of the cutting and pasting. I have done that on several caminos. There is no requirement in the pilgrim office that all stamps be in one long credential.

 

[krystianw]

If everything fails just attach a sheet of paper with glue to your credencial.

Just make sure to find a "real" credencial before Baamonde, if you want to get the Compostela. In the past few years, Pilgrims' Office is becoming less tolerant of DIY credenciales for the last 100km.

 

[trecile]

Just make sure to find a "real" credencial before Baamonde, if you want to get the Compostela. In the past few years, Pilgrims' Office is becoming less tolerant of DIY credenciales for the last 100km.

@SirenGray already has an official credential. She is just running out of room. It's okay to collect stamps on an additional sheet of paper attached to the credential.