In Dutch: episode about a couple seeking a place to start an albergue on the Norte

[Luka]

The TV-program 'Droomhuis gezocht' had an episode about a Dutch couple looking for a property on the Camino del Norte to turn into an albergue for pilgrims. They showed 3 properties for sale. Location somewhere in the Bask Country or Cantabria. It wasn't always clear, but they showed Bilbao, San Sebastian, Santillana del Mar and I think I recognized Castro Urdiales.

Some parts were a little bit awkward. It was clear that the makers of the program were pretty ignorant about the Camino and they seemed to find it almost weird. There is one scene of one of them spending a night in a monastery (I didn't recognize it). She didn't speak a word of Spanish and she seemed almost shocked when she finds out that she is going to stay in a dorm for 22 people and that the room could be full in high season.

Anyhow, I hope the couple (seasoned pilgrims) will find a nice place to start an albergue. It is most welcome on the Norte!

Uitzending gemist van Droomhuis Gezocht op Nederland 1. Bekijk deze uitzending van "Droomhuis Gezocht" dan nogmaals op Uitzendinggemist.net

Uitzending gemist | Droomhuis Gezocht, Santiago op Nederland 1

www.uitzendinggemist.net

 

[Marc S.]

Thank you for the link. I think they bought the farmhouse in Santillana del Mar, so I hope they will manage to find their way through Spanish legislation and start their albergue there.

 

[LTfit]

The TV-program 'Droomhuis gezocht' had an episode about a Dutch couple looking for a property on the Camino del Norte to turn into an albergue for pilgrims. They showed 3 properties for sale. Location somewhere in the Bask Country or Cantabria. It wasn't always clear, but they showed Bilbao, San Sebastian, Santillana del Mar and I think I recognized Castro Urdiales.

Some parts were a little bit awkward. It was clear that the makers of the program were pretty ignorant about the Camino and they seemed to find it almost weird. There is one scene of one of them spending a night in a monastery (I didn't recognize it). She didn't speak a word of Spanish and she seemed almost shocked when she finds out that she is going to stay in a dorm for 22 people and that the room could be full in high season.

Anyhow, I hope the couple (seasoned pilgrims) will find a nice place to start an albergue. It is most welcome on the Norte!

Uitzending gemist van Droomhuis Gezocht op Nederland 1. Bekijk deze uitzending van "Droomhuis Gezocht" dan nogmaals op Uitzendinggemist.net

Uitzending gemist | Droomhuis Gezocht, Santiago op Nederland 1

www.uitzendinggemist.net

Watched it too and completely agree! Definitely not impressed. @Luka did you notice the pronunciation of Camino as Camiño/Caminho (maybe mixed up Spanish and Portuguese) Indeed little research done. And that woman co-host who said that the average stage for people walking is at least 30 km and that she was doing just that, in those clothes, arriving fresh as a daisy in that monastery (where was that ?). Had to laugh when I saw her reaction to the bunk bed .

Too bad as Dutch TV has had some quality programs about the Camino but then again this was more about property along the Norte than anything else.

By the way I believe you are right about the shot of Castro Urdiales.

p.s. I'll be back on the Norte from Irún to hopefully Santiago late May and June. If you get itchy and want to come down off your mountain

 

[Luka]

Thank you for the link. I think they bought the farmhouse in Santillana del Mar, so I hope they will manage to find their way through Spanish legislation and start their albergue there.

They actually bought house number 3? Wow. I hope so too. I got the impression that they have no idea what they are getting themselves into. No word of Spanish, no idea about legislation, no research about the location and the possible demand for an albergue at that specific spot and I wonder whether they have any experience as a hospitalero.

 

[Luka]

Watched it too and completely agree! Definitely not impressed. @Luka did you notice the pronunciation of Camino as Camiño/Caminho (maybe mixed up Spanish and Portuguese) Indeed little research done. And that woman co-host who said that the average stage for people walking is at least 30 km and that she was doing just that, in those clothes, arriving fresh as a daisy in that monastery (where was that ?). Had to laugh when I saw her reaction to the bunk bed .

Yeah, that was funny. And no, she didn't walk 30k that day and after that last shot she must have gone straight back to her hotel. Did you see her pack? There was certainly no sleeping bag in there. I actually felt a little bit embarassed by her behaviour.

So you as well didn't recognize the monastery? Strange...

 

[Luka]

p.s. I'll be back on the Norte from Irún to hopefully Santiago late May and June. If you get itchy and want to come down off your mountain

Nice! Let's see if we can meet for a drink when you are somewhere around Ribadesella. Might coincide with my parents' visit though...

 

[LTfit]

They actually bought house number 3? Wow. I hope so too. I got the impression that they have no idea what they are getting themselves into. No word of Spanish, no idea about legislation, no research about the location and the possible demand for an albergue at that specific spot and I wonder whether they have any experience as a hospitalero.

Had the exact impression but didn't want to sound too snobby

I'll msg you when near Ribadesilla. Who knows, maybe it will work.

 

[Marc S.]

I got the impression that they have no idea what they are getting themselves into.

Same impression here. However, some people seem to make their best decions in life whilst not having a clue, so let's wish them well ! - they seem a lovely couple.

By the way, the monastery is in Cenautza / Zenaruzza, I think.

 

[Luka]

Same impression here. However, some people seem to make their best decions in life whilst not having a clue, so let's wish them well ! - they seem a lovely couple.

Agree! And I have seen many episodes of 'Ik Vertrek' with people I thought were never going to make it.

You could be right about the monastery, but the dorm looks completely different.

Is this house 3 by the way?

Casa o chalet en venta en Barrio Vispieres, Santillana del Mar

Casa o chalet de 438 m², Casa o chalet en venta en Barrio Vispieres, Santillana del Mar, Santillana del Mar

www.idealista.com

Casa de pueblo en venta en Lugar Barrio Vispieres, 9 A, Santillana del Mar

Casa de pueblo de 200 m², Casa de pueblo en venta en Lugar Barrio Vispieres, 9 A, Santillana del Mar, Santillana del Mar

www.idealista.com

If so, it is not on the Camino

It seems way too expensive. Not even worth half the price. In the program the asking price was 185.000.

 

[Bala]

They have shows similar to this in the U.S. All of them equally unrealistic. Further, I learned from a couple who were featured on Househunters (well, ok, their parents), the house was already purchased before the show was filmed. They went back with the crew and had to fake their original responses.

Usually, though, they try to make it a little more believable than this one sounds....

 

[Luka]

They have shows similar to this in the U.S. All of them equally unrealistic. Further, I learned from a couple who were featured on Househunters (well, ok, their parents), the house was already purchased before the show was filmed. They went back with the crew and had to fake their original responses.

Usually, though, they try to make it a little more believable than this one sounds....

True. I think in these kind of programs no one ever actually buys one of the properties shown. That is probably why they never do follow-ups.

 

[Marc S.]

Yep this looks like house number 3. Seems expensive to me as well - but you know more about house prices in Spain than me. But at least it is a house they can walk around - this seems important to them.

So this means the house is still for sale ? I managed to find the full names of Tom and Corrie and checked their facebook pages (when I get curious, I just want to find out....) but I find no indications they have actually bought the house.

 

[Luka]

So this means the house is still for sale ? I managed to find the full names of Tom and Corrie and checked their facebook pages (when I get curious, I just want to find out....) but I find no indications they have actually bought the house.

It happens often that houses are sold but are still advertised for months, but let's hope they indeed didn't buy it.

I can't find any reason for a price this high:
- The house needs a total reform
- Just 1800 m2 of land
- It is not at the coast
- It is not on the Camino
- The location is not special or scenic

I would say it is worth something like 60.000 maybe. Probably less.

 

[Marc S.]

- Just 1800 m2 of land

"Just" 1800 ?

 

[Luka]

"Just" 1800 ?

Sorry, Spanish countryside snobism...