pre- and post-camino travel arrangements

Hi jh,

I know you are are the road today and tomorrow.  Thought I'd post some travel possibilities here now, while I have the information in front of me.  We can discuss over the phone when you get back.

I'm thinking we'll want at least one day and 2 nights in Leon before we start walking.  Everyone on the pilgrim forum says it is a very nice city, worth spending some time in.  I've received a recommendation that we stay at the guest house at the Benedictine monastery:

In Leon you can get your Credential at the Albergue del Monasterio de las Benedictinas (Sta Maria de Carbaial) They have a pilgrim albergue AND a very pleasant guest house. Perhaps for your first night after traveling the guest house would be more comfortable for you. You need a reservation for the Monastery Guest House or Hospederia. Here is a link to their Web page in English. >> http://www.hospederiapax.com/ Both the Albergue and the Hospederia are next to each other on the same street which is listed on the web page. Be sure to visit the splendid cathedral in Leon which is near-by!

It seems like this would be a nice way to begin our journey.  I've sent them an email to check on availability for the nights of Oct. 1 & 2.  John suggested taking the train from Madrid to Leon the same day we arrive in Spain, but we are both open to spending a day in Madrid either at the beginning or end of the journey, if you want to.  If we do proceed on to Leon on Oct. 1, we could take the train leaving Madrid at 14:40, arriving Leon at 17:34, for 45 Euros.

John would like to spend a few days relaxing in Spain at the end of the trip.  I've received a recommendation for the Little Fox House, near Muxia, near the coast west of Santiago de Campostela:

The Little Fox House has a fire going in the lareira, soup's on, bread in the oven, big beds are warm and cosy, and the surroundings just beg for pilgrim meditation walks. Weather is cool but mostly sunny. ...pilgrims walking to Muxia, Finisterre or those finishing in Santiago are very welcome to come and "chill" for a few days. Compostela is necessary as the idea is for pilgrims to reflect on their Camino before returning home.
I am a writer and psychotherapist and four time pilgrim.This is my private home, not an albergue. Those who come here come as guests and all is strictly donativo. It is a haven of peace and quiet and your need for privacy will be respected. Sometimes I feel as though I am in the 14th century!
... Minumum stay three nights, maximum is five. There is a "job jar" as most have indicated they want to be put to work as part of the re entry process!!! The old church in front is in desperate need of some ruthless gardening. Carantona is 9klms off the Camino to Muxia near Ponte do Porto. It's a gorgeous walk along the Ria de Camarinas. I can pick you up in Muxia if you can't walk another step! Reservations are essential as there is room only for a maximum of four (or six VERY good friends!). All meals are included (mostly vegetarian) and tours of the history and mythology of the area can be arranged (dolmens, lighthouses, hermits and iron age castros ...) and hopefully so can some trout fishing!

This sounds perfect to me.  John is amenable to it.  What do you think?  (Did you catch the part about trout fishing?).  I have sent her an email inquiring about availability at the end of October.

Next on the agenda is to find a hotel in Madrid at least for the night of Nov. 1, plus however many extra nights we might want to spend there at the beginning or end.

If you have the opportunity I'd spend time in Madrid. I love the city. It has unique art galleries, a huge park with boating pond and has everything you would expect in a European capital. If you look at Booking.Com and search for hotels near the Puerta del Sol (the very centre of the city and of Spain) you will get a very good selection at all prices. There are also local hostals such as: http://www.hostaltriana.com/

I checked Booking.Com for hotels near Puerta del Sol.  There are 3 or 4 hotels with rooms US$60-90 each.  Each of these only has 1-4 rooms left.  Other hotels in that area are mostly >$120 per night.  I suppose we might also want to consider something near the train station.

I'm not sure how much will be open in Madrid on Nov. 1, since it is a holiday.

I've also been advised that we should book our train tickets from Santiago to Madrid now, since many people in Spain travel to their place of origin for All Saints Day.  So we should decide soon whether to return to Madrid on Nov. 1 or on Oct. 31 or sooner.  There seem to be only 2 trains per day from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid.  One is an overnight train taking 9.5 hours.  I would prefer the train that leaves at 16:05, arriving at 21:48, for 54 Euros.

Things seem to be taking shape ... are we really doing this?  ... let us know your thoughts on all this soon.

Sally

** Just got an email back from the Little Fox House.  She does have availability for us, and it sounds like she can be flexible with regard to our arrival date, as long as we keep her informed of our progress.