Albergue - Puente la Reina

I have no picture at all for this albergue but it was under a three star hotel just outside the town. I recommend this place - all beds were in the basement but were sectioned off into smaller groups. The hotel did a Pilgrim meal (for which you got a voucher for a euro off) but also had a small but good kitchen and dining room.

The owner was very helpful and friendly - my sello did not print very well on my credential so she, without me saying a word, re-did it on a spare piece of paper, cut this to size and then glued it in for me.

There is a laundry room with a machine and hand-washing facilities and an outside area reserved for drying clothes.

A small sitting area is for the use of those in the albergue as well as the hotel.

Showers were nice - posh hydrotherapy ones (although I could not work out how to use anything but the basic shower function but that was good enough!).

The albergue is a little out of town but it took us only five minutes at most to walk in (and there were only five people staying at our albergue whilst the albergue in the town looked to be packed).

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Route Napoleon closures: November-March

For anyone thinking of setting off on the Camino anytime soon just a reminder that the Navarrese Govenmnet closes the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees from November 1st - March 31st each year (and longer if need be). Roncenvalles in the snow The official notification for this (from last year) is below.

The Camino Primitivo

The Camino Primitivo (or the Original Way) is reportedly the very first Camino Way to Santiago in the 9 th century when most of Spain was under the control of the Moors and it runs from near the city of Ovideo in Asturias as it starts in Villavicosa (which also lies on the Camino Norte so many people follow this Way from Basque city of San Sebastian (Donosti in Basque) or in from the French border at Irun ( this route then hugs the Bay of Biscay passing through Guernica, Bilbao, Santander, Llanes before going under the Picos de Europa and then heads along the coast to Ovideo) before branching off onto the Primitivo which goes across the mountains and through the city of Lugo before joining the Frances at Melide. The route is 320km long. Image taken from https://viaalpina2013.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/camino-del-norte-camino-primitivo/

Pilgrim Prayer - Columba

Columba was an Irish monk (who founded several monasteries in Ireland) who sailed with 12 others to the island of Iona just off the west coast of Scotland. The Abbey he funded became one of the powerhouses of Mediaeval Christendom. He lived from 7th December 521 until 9th June 597. Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand Than if a host did round me stand. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path below me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, tonight and forever.

On the Camino

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