Monday, 3 June 2013

New look pilgrim rest stop

I painted an old door and with two easel supports I now have a bigger table for the coffee, fruit and pastries, leaving the other three small tables for pilgrims to use as they want. I am very easy going and really don't mind if pilgrims have their own food and just want to sit for while in the shade and rest and eat. 
Everyday I am sustained by pilgrim stories and conversations in english and spanglish. Inspired by a young German lad who was walking with his grandmother for her 70th birthday. They do about 10 kms a day and he carries their gear. Wow the generosity of youth. I don't despair of the younger generation at all. 
I continue to delight in providing free maps of Portomarin and chat about options for accomodation. It is so rewarding for me to be helping pilgrims on their journey in some small way. 



Saturday, 1 June 2013

Pilgrims reap the benefits of donativo generosity

Peregrinos de hoy cosechan los beneficios de las donaciones de ayer. Como peregrinos vuelven más generosos también lo hace la variedad de aumento de provisiones. Me deleito en la empresa la concesión de pequeños kit kats para la energía y pequeños bares muesli. También he tomado a proporcionar tazas de cerámica de fabricación local pequeño para solo café. La pequeña área de peregrino se parecía más a un café todos los días. El café que usted tiene cuando usted no está teniendo un café.
Mis esfuerzos son recompensados ​​diario con muchos agradecimientos y gracias. Me parece a mi sorpresa que me sostiene por las gemas diarias de conversación con los peregrinos de todo el mundo. Me encanta mi vida aquí y la gente parece que quiere oír hablar de la ex peregrino que volvía a vivir y hacer un ir de él. Muchos caminan el camino y pensar en la compra de un recorrido por casas, que vemos en abundancia, y aquí hay alguien que lo hizo.

Today's pilgrims reap the benefits of yesterday's donations. As pilgrims become more generous so does the variety of provisions increase. I delight in now providing small kit kats for energy and small museli bars. I have also taken to providing small locally made ceramic cups for cafe solo. The little pilgrim area is looking more like a cafe everyday. The cafe you have when you're not having a cafe. 
My efforts are daily rewarded with many thank you's and gracias. I find to my surprise that I am sustained by daily gems of conversation with pilgrims from all around the world. I love my life here and people seem to want to hear about the ex pilgrim who came back to live and made a go of it. Many walk the camino and think of buying a run down casa, which we see in abundance, and here is someone who did it. 

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Take a walk on the wild side

Wonderful walking all around Vilacha with spring wildflowers in abundance and lots of lovely fruits and chocolate on the donativo pilgrim table.








Tuesday, 30 April 2013

A big couple of days at casa susana

A big couple of days at the casa susana pilgrim rest stop. It has rained and turned cold again, so many pilgrims have sought shelter from the rain, whereas last week it was the shade that was sought after. The little packets of various pastries have been very popular, with 2 kgs marching out the door in as many days. I am enjoying coming downstairs to check on supplies and engaging in conversation with pilgrims. Today the highlight was two men from the States walking from Sarria to Santiago with their 86 year old mom. Wow! I hope my son will walk with me when I'm 86. They were prepared to take it slow and walk 100 kms in 10 days, whereas many do it in 3 or 4. I delighted in showing them inside and enjoyed their company for almost an hour. So whilst it gives me pleasure having the donativo table and giving to pilgrims; conversations enrich my life also. I have started stocking maps of Portomarin and happily offer suggestions about eating, albergues and supermarkets to buy food and other supplies.

Monday, 1 April 2013


El "donativo" de mesa y sillas para los peregrinos del Camino de Santiago va bien. La mayoría de mis días de gastos y las donaciones son más o menos nivelados. Esto comenzó como un experimento para mí, ya que ciertamente no podía permitirse el lujo demasiado de una subvención, pero por otro lado no tenía ganas de generar un ingreso, sólo para cubrir fue mi deseo. Así que una. Muchas gracias a todos los que se han sentado en mi silla, se come la fruta o pasteles y tomaron café Me ha sorprendido el café no es tan popular como pensé que sería. Cuando hice el Camino en octubre de 2011 que estaba muriendo a menudo para tomar un café, sobre todo cuando empezamos temprano y hay cafés estaban abiertos.

Así que la gran pregunta es ¿qué más peregrinos como en un "donativo" parada de descanso????? Si tiene tiempo, hágamelo saber.

Estoy a 2 kms de Portomarin una parada de una noche común, y todo cuesta abajo desde mi lugar.

La lluvia ha sido un poco de un dolor, como sólida para las últimas dos semanas, con más en el camino, me temo. Mis goteras en el techo marquesina un poco, al igual que el resto de la casa y estoy esperando a un hombre para venir a reparar el techo, lo que quiero dejar antiqua. Así que espero que cuando deje de llover mi techo puede ser reparado y los peregrinos pueden realmente tomar refugio. Buon peregrinos camino!
The "donativo" table and chairs for pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago is going well. Most days my expenses and donations are about even. This started as an experiment for me, as I certainly couldn't afford too much of a subsidy, but on the other hand didn't really want to generate an income, just to break even was my wish. So a big thank you to all those who have sat on my chairs, eaten the fruit or pastries and drank coffee. I have been surprised the coffee is not as popular as I thought it would be. When I did the Camino in October 2011 I was often dying for a coffee, especially when we started early and no cafes were open.

So the big question is what else would pilgrims like at a "donativo" rest stop?????  If you have time let me know.

I am 2 kms from Portomarin a common overnight stop, and all downhill from my place.

The rain has been a bit of a pain, like solid for the past two weeks, with more on the way I am afraid. My carport roof leaks a little, as does the rest of the house and I am waiting for a man to come and repair the roof, which I want to leave antiqua. So hopefully when the rain stops my roof can be repaired and pilgrims can truly take shelter. Buon camino peregrinos!!