Hola
@peregrina2000
Finally I did it, sorry it took me so long. I didn't checked the distance since we've been through that already. Just a few minor comments. I would really like to encourage walkers to take this Camino, sooner or later, because it isn't really more expensive than CF, the stages could also be shortened, the views and nature are great and the local people are so nice here.
So:
Page 1:
»About 245 km later it joins the Via de la Plata« - it joins Camino Sanabres to be exact, »original« VdlP goes to Astorga as I know.
Page 4:
»Make a left here, where you will find the first official mojón (granitewaymarker) indicating Camino de Invierno. Go down the hill, cross the 16th-century PuenteBoeza bridge« - this first mojon is actually a few meters before the new bridge/railway overpass from which you come to the old one on the right (new one is to the left).
»Bar El Puente is just over the river,« - wrong, before the river. First you come to this bar, then cross the river and come to the plaza. Across the plaza is the bar/restaurante mentioned previously.
»2.5km Vilalibre de la Jurisdicción
Fountain, Bar la Estrella along the highway« - maybe you come to this bar if turn right (back in direction of Ponferrada), but if continue there's no bar in Villalibre.
Page 5:
»Fountain, Farmacia, Bar along the road leaving town (Bar Taberna “El Sitio de mi Recreo” nicepatio and recommended as “cozy”).« - also bar on the main road (shop adjoining, pharmacy is on the right and those two on the left side of main road a bit further on), which was closed when I was there, but the small tienda was opened.
»From here, you have a choice between a stiff climb on the path to the left to reach the castle, andstaying on the road to bypass the castle and go directly on the road to Borrenes.« - that's after Santala (before steep uphill to Villavieja!!!). From Villavieja there's just a
gentle climb to Cornatel (and steep ascent to Borrenes on the asphalt) and the road to Borrenes is also to the right. I guess the choice is the same whether you decide to stay on the asphalt road after Santala or from Villavieja J
Page 6:
»Las Médulas has a tourist information center…« - there is one at entrance to the village on the righthand side (Hotel medulio to the left) and the second in the village itself, very close to the church.
Page 7:
»Hostal Restaurante La Torre, 300 meters down the road on your left on Chao do Marco. Tel: 987460 589 OR 987 460 081. Email:
info@hrlatorre.com http://www.hrlatorre.com/ This roadsidehotel seems seedy and un-economical until you figure-in excellent meals and a charmingriverside garden, complete with exotic birds and animals.« - main building with bar, restaurant and reception is just after Repsol gasolinera (opened all night!!!) on the left. Mentioned riverside garden is certainly not at the back of the main building. But the Hostal has some more buildings, I guess with apartments, on the other side of the road and behind them is the river, so should be the garden. I'm mentioning this just to avoid possible disappointment as was looking up to this spot and didn't find it
Page 8:
»Owner, Manuel Angel Martínez Ramos (988 335 106) has plans to open an albergue butcurrently offers private lodging for peregrinos. 8€.« - offers lodging only upon previous request (at least one day).
Page 10:
»
Note to users: The next three paragraphs could use some work; though some have made theirway up to the gravel pit and others have taken the on-road option, still others say this is totallynot the way the Camino goes. Tell me your experience!!!« - I've already sent you my conclusion or estimation that Camino now goes by the river to the roundabout just before Hiper Gadis (which is before Arcos), but I'm very interested what will you find out.
Page 11:
»You don’t actually go into town but will walk between the tracks and theriver. You pass the soccer field, pool, tennis courts.« - very welcoming bar in the entrance to the swimming pool. And easy access to the town center from there, no zig-zag-ing, just walk by the river, turn right before the swimming pool and straight ahead is the street that leads you to center of Vilamartin.
Page 12:
»Reserve a bed in the albergue
atsulma.arias@gmail.com or phone 988 311 614 or 616 124 521. Beds 9€,« - last year I paid 11€.
»and another (look for the lavadero under the bridge) atBendilló« - at the entrance below left curve.
Page 13:
»A waymarked trail leads out of Montefurado along a green path upward. This path is overgrownin parts and would be difficult to cross in rainy weather.« - wasn't overgrown when I was there, quite the opposite, very wide but also steep. I had an impression that locals use it as a fitness trail.
»Descend to the edge of the river town of Soldón. Arrows will take you through and out of townand past a riverside café (sporadic hours), which is located under the elevated national highway.« - as told by waitress it's opened all day and even into the night in high season. I guess that's because of school holidays when most of the visitors are kids and grandparents. Great spot for some snack, cold drink and a swim!!!
Page 15:
»Take a left at signs pointing to Trampillo, which for some reason take you intothe town of Barxa do Lor (and not Trampillo) with a bridge (Roman?) over the river« - I think I remember that after the first waymark for Trampillo (the one you are mentioning here), there is another one firther down the paved lane. But this is all very well marked with arrows.
Page 16:
»Hostal As Vinas, Avenida de Outeiro, 13. Tel: 982 430 124 . Friendly, clean, accommodatingfamily establishment.« - 25€/single – well worth it, the couple that runs it speak Spanish, Gallego, Portugues and French (with some basic English)
Page 18:
»…and at the roundabout with a hórreo (a Galician granary) isa bar with your last chance for coffee. Cross the road to the left, and follow the signs for A Vide.« - a petrol station is immediately after the roundabout in directon of A Vide. This could be very usefull if starting early or during weekends for some last stock-up or coffee from the vending machine.
Page 19:
»(Some report that it is better to ignore the turn-off after the Pazo, and to continue on theLU-P-4112 a few meters uphill and turn sharp left at the first house. There are arrowshere, presumably older than the ones earlier, and they take you through San Lourenzo,and then Castrotañe and finally to Piñeiro. This way is also overgrown, however.)« - or simply stay on LU-P-4112, especially when wet.
EDIT: oh, I see now that later on (Camino Grande etc.) you added that comment
»…In any event, you will never be toolost, because the roads are not far away. The best advice is to try to “keep straight on,” and don’tbe shy about asking for directions. The problem, of course, is that in this overgrown maze, youare unlikely to find any other people.« - the best is to remember on which side is the paved road and when feeling lost just head in that direction. On the road there isn't much traffic but surely there will be a car passing every half an hour J
Page 22:
»Hostal Yoel; Avda. De Lugo, 16. Tel: 982 440 294. Single room with shared bath 15€; singlewith private bath 25€ (outdated a bit, but clean, has wifi, located near supermarkets).« - I paid 12€ for room with no view J and shared bathroom, but there was a wash-basin (sink) in the room.
Page 24:
»Hostal Carpinteiras, atop the hill at Estrada Xeral, 62. Tel.: 986 790 196. Phone in advance; ahearty meal will be waiting for you here, served by friendly family. Recommended.« - I paid 20€/single, best deal on whole Camino. But it's atop (some 200mts from center) of the city.
Page 28:
»Also KinkyOne, Bimblingalong, Freescotand Econodan from Ivar’s
Camino de Santiago Forum.« - You can also add my full name – Boštjan Mašera (or Bostjan Masera if that's more convenient) J
Thanks for mentioning me though!
You've done a great job, Laurie.
And lots of admiration to
@Rebekah Scott for initial guide!!!
Every little change provokes another change, etc etc. I will definitely bring you and the others in on the conversation. Laurie
