Camino Angels on the Camino
I couldn’t believe it! I had walked 16 km from Ponferrada on the Camino Invierno all the while looking forward to utilising the newly renovated albergue at Villavieja. The notice on the door said ring this number for the code to gain
access. I whipped out my mobile. No reception.
Well I was halfway up the mountain! I’d been climbing all afternoon. My brain went into overdrive. I’d been so looking forward to a cup of tea, a biscuit and a lie down. What were my options? It was unlikely anyone else would arrive as it was late in the afternoon. Hitchhiking to the next town was a nonstarter. I was well off the beaten track.
I didn’t fancy walking on, so my best chance was to visit each house in the village and ask to use their land line. Fifty minutes later task accomplished. I had visited every house. They were either For Sale, shuttered or derelict! A further option was to tumble the lock of the device holding the key. With great optimism I reached for the tumbler barrels. 1111 seemed a good place to begin. How about 1212? No! And then I realised the enormity of the task. And what failure meant.
With a shrug of the shoulders I flicked the tumblers randomly. Snap and the holder was open. And there was the key to the front door. The albergue was just as described. As I lay on my bunk, I reflected on my day. Next time get the code before departing. Otherwise ensure there is an angel on your shoulder!
Image; The albergue at Villavieja, a converted school building on the Camino Invierno.
To read more of Philip’s tales go to Camino Stories
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