Campiello

The Road to the next stop, Campiello, wound through woods with the Cantabrian mountain range in sight.

Lilan -- Lillian -- Mom

"How green is my valley Camino de Santiago"

Breakfast on the rocks -- bread, peanuts, & an apple 

This double marker indicates the short detour to the Obona Monastery, or Santa Maria la Real de Obona, which may have been founded as early as the 8th c.      

By the 12th c. the Obona Monastery had become an important center for Benedictine monks and was decreed a mandatory stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago. The monks were known for using innovative farming techniques.

Capilla del Christo de Villaluz in the village of Villaluz (village of light)

Although the Villaluz chapel was locked, it had a gated front where a donations box could be reached. I left the breast ex-voto with a donation & note explaining its purpose next to a prayer card already there. It was a perfect spot.

Leaving Villaluz with the chapel from a distance 

Taxi service "here & now" for any tired walkers

New Albergue Casa Ricardo had been a farm house building.

Casa Ricardo's hospitalero checks in English pilgrim Sarah from London. A world traveler, Sarah speaks fluent Spanish & works in park conservation. She's walked several Caminos, including Camino del Norte and part of the Via de la Plata.

The hospitalero, Rui Filipe Navarro, works for associations that promote the Camino and gave us helpful information about the Road from Campiello -- there's two choices to get over the mountain pass Puerto del Palo -- either the Hospitales route or another trail that's longer & goes through Pola de Allande. The Hospitales route has no albergues or bars and must be walked in one day; whereas the route through Pola has places to stay & can be walked in two.

There were nice bunkbeds & handy spots to hang drying clothes.

The well from the albergue's original structure was on view.



The albergue's patio area included an horreo.

Aussie father and son who roomed with me in Salas -- it's their first Camino. They walked onwards to the next town.

A truck transporting hay spoke to Campiello's agricultural roots. 

Across from the albergue a construction worker mixed cement. 

A "bolera", or bowling ally, park near the construction company -- not sure what game this involves, perhaps lawn bowling?

The owner of Casa Ricardo also operates a bar with general store connected to it. The store featured an assortment of items, such as Camino gear, toiletries, food staples, & deli choices.

Sarah found a huge wrench in the hardware section. She's familiar
with many types of tools from her experience in park maintenance.