Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[Peter Robins]

A revamp of the main Camino Real in Sigueiro, part of the route of the Camino Ingles, was officially opened yesterday (reports in the Correo and the Voz). According to the Voz, it is now in perfect condition for the passage of pilgrims. The mayor, our friend Manuel Miras, stated that the commune was looking to acquire land for a new albergue, and the Xunta's representative expressed his support for that. So it looks like nothing much has happened since the last time those two bodies agreed to open an albergue in Sigueiro.

[peregrina2000]

I'll be walking the Camino Ingles in late August, and I'll report back on what I find. The Voz article describes improvements located in the town of Sigueiro itself, so I'm not planning on seeing improvement in waymarking -- though they did spend 300,000 euro! The paper describes the improvements as consisting of a paved path, a fenced in rest area, parking lots and sidewalks. Not sure how some of those things qualify as pilgrim amenities, but oh well. I wonder why public officials so frequently view paving as an improvement for pilgrims -- maybe they just haven't walked themselves. But you'd think that we could somehow get the word out that there are surfaces other than dirt/mud and asphalt/concrete that are so much kinder to pilgrim feet.

Laurie

[Peter Robins]

I suspect the object here is not to improve things for passing pilgrims, but to make use of the large budget the Xunta has for the 'Camino de Santiago'.

But then I always was a cynic.

[JohnnieWalker]

Peter - there also seems to be some controversy over the availability of fincas due to developments being blamed on the expansion of facilities for the Camino Ingles. In several villages I noticed signs calling people to public meetings to protest.

[Peter Robins]

http://www.elcorreogallego.es/index.php ... cia=321614
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/santiago/2 ... 962343.htm

AIUI, it's more that they're introducing development/planning restrictions along all the official Caminos, and some of the locals are objecting to this. "Not in my backyard!" - though the complaints also seem to be related to field consolidation; probably much needed in Galicia, though you're bound to tread on somebody's toes

[Rebekah Scott]

I wish they´d use just a few of those Euros to buy some yellow paint and refresh the waymarks!

[Peter Robins]

it seems the Xunta are planning to have the albergue in Sigueiro open by end 2009 - assuming Oroso concello gets the land sorted.

[JohnnieWalker]

So it does exist!

[Peter Robins]

El Correo Gallego reports that the council have now agreed change of use of an existing building to an albergue. Doesn't actually say it's in Sigueiro, but . . .
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/index.php ... cia=346752

[JohnnieWalker]

well...quite...reinforces your earlier view Peter that this may be some time away!

[Peter Robins]

and a budget of €450,000 has now been agreed
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/index.php ... cia=363723
According to the report in La Voz, the albergue will be next to the municipal swimming-pool, near the river, the 'green lung' of Sigueiro - which makes it sound rather grander than it is
Works should be carried out next year, so it's ready for 2010.

[JohnnieWalker]

and right on the route! Good news