Northern Aires - Camino

[CandD]

I'm not sure how much cross over there would usually be with Motorhoming, but through it'd be worth an ask with the wealth of knowledge here...

We're following the last week of my SIL's walk of the Camino Way to Santiago de Compostela at the end of September. I've already acquired the "Bumper book of Aires" by Vicarious, but I can't help noticing its a lot smaller then the French editions.

Has anyone ever done the Camino Way? Any experience with supporting someone along with way, recommended aires/sites?
Equally and other "must do" things in the area, as I may well be twiddling my thumbs throughout the day with the other half joins her sister on the walk?
I'll be taking the bike to tackle some "Vuelta" climbs, but wouldn't know were else to start in Northern Spain.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Emmit]

I did? the Camino Frances in March 2019.
The last week of the Camino coincides with the minimum distance that one could walk to obtain the Compostela, (certificate), to show to the World that you have been there and done it.
One has to walk 100kms or cycle 200kms to get the Cert.

Consequently, the town immediately further than 100kms from Santiago de Compostela has become a tourist magnet for 'pilgrims' to start their walk.
Sarria is the town and there is an official Aire in the town in the car park of the Sports Centre.

If you want to go one stop away from the finish line (so to speak) I took Mrs Emmit, a year later, to the little village of Triacastel where we parked in the car park and had a lovely meal at the Xacobeo bar/restaurant. I wouldn't see a problem with an overnight stop.

From Sarria, closing in on SdC, the next stop following a walk of about 22kms is Portomarin.

It became subject of the news because, in 1956, the authorities built a dam below the village and as a consequence the valley and the village were flooded.

Instead of merely accepting their fate, the villagers took their church apart, stone by stone, and moved it, up the hill and rebuilt it above the high water line. The 'new' village of Portomarin surrounds it.

I doubt if any of the inhabitants of Portomarin (or any other township on the route of the Camino) would have any objection whatsoever if you were to park up for the night.
They have, after all, been providing a service for travellers for many years.

If you want any more waffle, you only have to ask.

 

[suavecarve]

I'm not sure how much cross over there would usually be with Motorhoming, but through it'd be worth an ask with the wealth of knowledge here...

We're following the last week of my SIL's walk of the Camino Way to Santiago de Compostela at the end of September. I've already acquired the "Bumper book of Aires" by Vicarious, but I can't help noticing its a lot smaller then the French editions.

Has anyone ever done the Camino Way? Any experience with supporting someone along with way, recommended aires/sites?
Equally and other "must do" things in the area, as I may well be twiddling my thumbs throughout the day with the other half joins her sister on the walk?
I'll be taking the bike to tackle some "Vuelta" climbs, but wouldn't know were else to start in Northern Spain.

Thanks,
Chris

No knowledge at all apart from it goes through Rocamadour, however, noted your vuelta excursions and jumar and jumartoo may well be of assistance with that part of your journey

 

[jumartoo]

I suggest you use P4N rather than a book.

We cycled the Camino Frances some years ago and spotted lots of places we'd put a motorhome and, since then, lots more official places have appeared.

As a "Camino" there are lots of churches with cemeteries and ermitas, mostly with good parking areas. You can park there, if you "park" only. There are a few motorhome service areas along the last section so you'd be able to empty and fill there.

 

[royandsharont]

One thing that I would suggest is not to be missed is the Pilgrims Mass in the Cathedral at SDC. From memory it is held at 11 each day but you have to be there early to get in and have a seat. For those like me I was a bit bored with the actual 1 hour service but the church is absolutely beautiful and being in the mass seeing all the pilgrims is inspiring.

The bit I wanted to see was the historical swinging of the large ball full of incense? across the knave I think.

Watching the new arrivals who have completed the walk to the square outside the church is worth observing, just to people watch if that’s your thing too. I saw a Dutch cyclist arrive and was fascinated by all the bits he had on his bike for the journey.

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[CandD]

We caught up with her in Sarria for the final few days of her journey.
Denise is walking with her and I've been remote working, currenlty sat in a Aire at the top of the hill in Portomarin - About to leave and head them off in Palas de Rui

Consequently, the town immediately further than 100kms from Santiago de Compostela has become a tourist magnet for 'pilgrims' to start their walk.
Sarria is the town and there is an official Aire in the town in the car park of the Sports Centre.

From Sarria, closing in on SdC, the next stop following a walk of about 22kms is Portomarin.

It became subject of the news because, in 1956, the authorities built a dam below the village and as a consequence the valley and the village were flooded.
Instead of merely accepting their fate, the villagers took their church apart, stone by stone, and moved it, up the hill and rebuilt it above the high water line. The 'new' village of Portomarin surrounds it.
I doubt if any of the inhabitants of Portomarin (or any other township on the route of the Camino) would have any objection whatsoever if you were to park up for the night.
They have, after all, been providing a service for travellers for many years.

If you want any more waffle, you only have to ask.

Interesting. What a place.... and what a beautiful church it is!
You can see the tell tale signs of the water on the landscape that's been carved, and the map/satellite images certainly show it full, but as I sit here today, its bone dry!!
What was it like in 2019?

 

[Emmit]

Good morning,

It wasn't full by any means but I wasn't going to emulate JC by trying to walk across it!

That was one of the days (the walk to Portomarin) when I recal having two 'Menu del dia's' in the one day.
Such was the toll on my bod but having said that, I still lost well over a stone in one month.
Another thing I remember following on from my stay in Portomarin was the grind up a forested footpath
the following morning.

It wasn't too taxing for me at that point but, had it happened three weeks earlier, (Portomarin was 600kms into
the walk by then) I would have been puffing like Thomas the Tank Engine.