New albergues under development in Betanzos and Carral

[Peter Robins]

according to a report on a meeting of representatives from various towns along the route
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/coruna/200 ... 761624.htm
no mention of Sigueiro though!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I believe Sigiuero was represented at this wingding, as "el regidor de Oroso" was listed in those attending -- Oroso is the county with Sigiuero as its seat. But I think there won´t be an albergue going in anytime soon, seeing as the representative is...José Manuel Mirás. Perhaps he of the namesake Hostal Miras, the only game in town for passing pilgrims?

 

[Deirdre]

HI Rebekah,
Glad to hear you enjoyed your solitary respite. Are you talking about the CSJ albergue at Miraz?
http://www.csj.org.uk/miraz-intro.htm

Buen Camino,

 

[Peter Robins]

well spotted, Rebekah! He may well be one of the 'Hermanos Miras' that run the hostal.

It was the same Manuel Miras who signed the agreement with Xacobeo in 2006
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/hemeroteca ... 4293.shtml
I did a search on Voz de Galicia, and find that an albergue in Sigueiro was already 'most urgent' back in 2003
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/hemeroteca ... 8036.shtml

The Camino Ingles consortium now has its own blog http://caminoingles.blogspot.com/

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Wow, Peter. You are encyclopedic!

And no, Dierdre. This is a different hostal in a different town on a different camino. I know and love CSJ Miraz (Lugo), having been part of that project from the get-go. This place is down on the other end of the scale, methinks. I didn´t stay in Siguiero, but I´m told by those who have that this is one of the more dreary places along the camino. (I went via Ordes, and stayed at the Hostal Sta. Cruz, a roadhouse along the N522. Fabulous dinner and clean, quiet room with a pasture view: 30€ for the works. Only downside is some highway walking, but I was ready for a break from all the fiddly hill-climbing and switchbacks, and it was a good decision.)

Rebekah

 

[Deirdre]

Hi Rebekah,
I totally realized that after I posted it! I clear case of where one should engage brain before hitting "submit"! And perhaps notice the topic being "The Camino Ingles"???

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Rebekah

I'm glad the Ordes detour worked for you. Sigiuero really has nothing to commend it and is a frustrating 15k from Sanitiago. The Hotel Miras serves really good food but the rooms are only borderline acceptable, all with shared bathrooms and all very well worn - but ok for a last night before an early start to arrive in time for the pilgrims' mass.

John

 

[Peter Robins]

according to those newspaper reports, pilgrims can stop at the polideportivo in Sigueiro. I've no idea what that consists of, but one of the reports described it as a 'pabellón' which implies it's rather small and basic.

When I walked the CI, I had been warned off the hostal in Sigueiro and took the bus into Santiago instead ;-)

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Peter - I agree with this. I stayed at the Hotel Miras once then walked into Santiago - the final etapa had very little to commend it apart from being the final etapa! Getting the bus is a real option!

John

 

[ivar]

according to those newspaper reports, pilgrims can stop at the polideportivo in Sigueiro. I've no idea what that consists of, but one of the reports described it as a 'pabellón' which implies it's rather small and basic.

A 'pabellón' is usually an indoor sports hall, most of them are about two handball courts in seize. 99% of them have showers.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Let's hope they stop playing before the pilgrims settle down for the night,

But seriously although I've seen reports of this facility being available I've never heard of anyone using it - perhaps because of the proximity of Santiago.

 

[Peter Robins]

Peter - I agree with this. I stayed at the Hotel Miras once then walked into Santiago - the final etapa had very little to commend it apart from being the final etapa! Getting the bus is a real option!

well, I came back the next day to finish off. I just used Santiago for accommodation. I quite often do that. If I don't like the look of a place, I catch a bus or train somewhere else for the night, then return the next morning.

 

[nidarosa]

Hi, as I can't read Spanish, I am very intrigued now - is there really going to be an albergue in Betanzos? Does any one know when-ish, we are walking the Camino Ingles this September. I was planning to get the bus out to Ferrol on the first day and then walk to the albergue in Neda, go on to Pontedeume the next day, then Betanzos, Hospital de Bruma and then taking our chances with the Hostal Miras in Sigueiro - or get the bus into town. An albergue in Betanzos would be brilliant. And thank you all for sharing and updating the information in this forum - it makes my job as designated tour leader much easier! :mrgreen:

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hi Nidarosa

The article says they are already working on it - don't know when it will be ready.

Javier - could you find out please?

 

[Peter Robins]

according to the Xacobeo it will be finished 2nd half of 2009; 40 places, 1 rua Cervantes in the town centre

 

[nidarosa]

Bit late for us then, we'll have to come back!
Thanks, Johnnie and Peter!

All the best,
LM

 

[Javier Martin]

"Javier - could you find out please?" Johnny Walker

I'm sorry, I',m reading now what was written one week ago.

Possibly not soon, at least until next year. When I know something else, I will tell you.

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

..the only problem with having an albergue in Betanzos is you might then pass up an opportunity to stay in the rooms above the Pulperia Universal! The landlord there is a character, and the rooms have the unique aroma earned by years of octopus boiling away downstairs.

What I wouldn't give for a t-shirt from that place!

(BTW, the Hostal Los Angeles listed in the books and websites is now permanently closed.)

Reb.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Just back - here is an update so far on this thread - more to come:

1 Betanzos albergue construction certainly underway although there are currently a few alternatives - I have the details.

2 Hostal Miras - they stand falsely accused! The people at the Hotel Miras have no connection whatsoever with the politician of that name involved in these discussions.

3 A bed at the Hostal Miras continues to be 15 euros two years' in succession and the food remains excellent!

4 No one in Siguiero had heard of the possibility os pilgrims staying the polideportivo but I've now recieved an e mail with confirmation from the Ayuntamiento de Oroso that it is possible but not until after 5pm - mattresses are not supplied. I'm trying to get contact details etc.

 

[lckgj]

Welcome back Johnnie.

Thanks for the new info. The way marking situation sounds a little worrying.

Ill be adding all your extra info to my csj guide - it will good to have someone to blame when I get hopelessly lost!!

Seriously though, any further information gratefully recieved as I am setting off on the Camino Ingles on 27th August.

Kind regards,

Laura