Kayaking on Rio Mino - Portomarin

Spent a few hours kayaking on the Mino River yesterday. To be thoroughly recommended even of an evening after a days walk would be great. The kayak hire is at an accommodation place called Santa Marina on the banks of the river at Portomarin and was very reasonably priced. They have cabins or camping and a restaurant supplied by their own productive vegie garden. I had a great day and got to thinking if pilgrims wanted a rest day before the final push to Santiago, they couldn't do better than Santa Marina. 
 

 

Pension/Albergue in Portomarin

I have had several requests for information about accommodation where there is a kitchen for pilgrims who want to prepare their own meals. This is often important for Asian pilgrims. With this in mind I had a look at Ultreia, which I had heard had a kitchen. At Ultreia I found a wonderful family run place with accommodation for all needs. An albergue with bunk style beds, plus rooms with either single beds or doubles at reasonable rates. The shared bathroom is central and the kitchen has all you need to prepare and cook food, plus a dining area to sit and share a meal. The atmosphere is friendly, happy and the people helpful. There is a lovely outdoor area to just sit and relax and prepare for tomorrows walk. Ultreia is two minutes walk from the central plaza. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Photo of susana and pilgrim donativo table

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.