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From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

From Madrid to Sahagún where it connects with the Camino Francés. Ask and learn about walking this camino here.

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More information on this route can be found at the CSJ website, and have a look at their guide. Also have a look at pictures of the various stages here.

From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby LNata on 06 Jan 2010, 01:01

I am planning to start my first Camino in the mid of May from Madrid. This forum is great and I am reading it for a week already in any spare minute.

1. Since I don't have such luxury as a five-six weeks of vacation, and I am afraid that making my day by longer walk rather then by speed, I would left outside all aubergue on CF. So I am thinking about avoiding it by going only partly on Camino Madrid and then after Segovia, making a shortcut St.Maria Nivea to Arevalo (about 30km), continue to Zamora using Camino Levante to it's end and then continue on Camino Santabres or Querense version of Via de la Plata (as shown on http://www.americanpilgrims.com/camino/ ... views.html maps - the shortcut is at the place where 6 and 7 comes closest to each other). This gives all together about 655km on foot in 24 or max 28 days - probably not possible for me but I like to try and go as far as I can.

Do you think it is reasonable or will I straggle to find the way and risk to loose more then gain? Do you think it would be better go to Shahagun and hope that Frances will not be to overcrouded in end of May, start of June?

2. Which map would be the lightest and most reasonable if any? I can take a small GPS with me and print out the way on a list of paper but don't want to carry a lot of guide books.

3. Most advises on packing are given for Camino Frances and most people tell that therm-a-rest is not needed. But CF has much advanced infrastructure (but a larger amount of people is expected than on all other caminos as well). Please help me to decide if I should take the sleeping mat (460g) with me? I was also thinking about bivi-bag (400g) in case I would not be able to find place to sleep inside or caught by night in the middle of nowhere. Is it any reasonable? I do think that should take my lightweight sleeping bag (620g) since I tend to get cold at nights and after been cold in sleep I get sick easily.

4. In order to book flight, it would be good to know where I can take a peregrines pass in Madrid. The Amigos office works only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings plus Wednesday mornings. If I will arrive to Madrid on Friday evening, it will be not an option. As I understood it can be taken in churches but at which time then? Early morning, late evening? And whom should I as for it? And if I will arrive on Wednesday afternoon - it is sure that someone will be in the Amigos office or is it better to call in advance?

5. Where do you carry your documents, cards and money during the walk? Belly pouch is convenient and I use it during my business trips but mine pouch does not fit together with mine back pack! :(

I know it is a lot of words but I hope you will find time to read and answer at least some of the questions!

Natalia.
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby alipilgrim on 06 Jan 2010, 23:11

I'm afraid I can only answer your last question. I used a 'belly pouch' with my backpack. I stretched the strap as far as it would go, and slung it over my head and one arm, so it went from one shoulder to the opposite waist. Very usefully keeping all the essentials handy!
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby Javier Martin on 07 Jan 2010, 14:35

Hi Natalia,

I know several pilgrims, spanish pilgrims, who have tried to walk from the Camino de Madrid to the Camino del Sureste. It's exactly NO marked.

May be if you want to walk the Camino del Sureste you can begin in Toledo. And, if you want some help, please contact me because I know the head of the Segovian Association and may be he has some ideas to do that. But, I repeat it, it's no easy.

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby LNata on 07 Jan 2010, 15:56

alipilgrim, thanks for your reply. I will consider such solution. And the photo is BEUATIFUL!

Javier, I was hoping for your answer, to be honest :)

Sure, I will be happy if there is some known solution for such "hopping". I have looked on the maps and it looks that one can walk along CL-605 from Santa María la Real de Nieva to Arévalo and the distance is about 30km (long but should be ok for one day).
http://maps.google.es/maps?f=d&source=s ... 26907&z=11

Sitting home it looks as a possibility but, of course, on the road it can be different. If you or Head of Segovia Amigos will strongly advise against walking this part, I can consider some bus/car riding for this part. I want to visit Segovia very much after I have seen photos of it so I do want to walk throug it and it is one of main reasons for starting from Madrid.

Also can you please bring a bit of light to the process of obtaining credencial? Is it possible to ask Amigos about sending some uptoday information as well? I have almost decided to start on Saturday, May 8 which means I will most possibly arrive in Madrid Friday very late.
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby Javier Martin on 07 Jan 2010, 17:17

Hello Natalia,

I only read when I have enough time, I'm always storing the daily phorum sendings and I read it when I take some free minutes. So, the fastest way to meet me is by a PM, I'm afraid.

In my opinion you have choosen a good option, a very quiet road with some services (three populations). And, 30 km is not too much, it's easy to walk it in just one day.

I will ask Ramón if exist some option better than the one you have choosen. And, about the credential, it's possible to obtain in the Madrid's association but they are not opened on friday. If there is not other options, may be I can give one to you, but today I don't know if I will be in Madrid in this weekend. It's too early for that.

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby alipilgrim on 07 Jan 2010, 22:05

Natalia,

You don't say where you are from, but have you tried to get a Credencial thru your home country's Pilgrim Association? Most countries have one. Else you can order one from the Confraternity of St. James in the UK. Just check out their website. This way you would have it in hand when arriving in Madrid.

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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby LNata on 08 Jan 2010, 08:05

Alipilgrim,

I am Russian living in Germany. I do not belong to any church or Pilgrim Association (I do have my beliefs but don't want to discuss it here), so I am afraid that for me this would not be a wise option as I don't want to pay a lot of money for it (all this fees for joining it, etc).

Natalia.
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby lynnejohn on 08 Jan 2010, 14:19

We also arrived at the wrong time to visit the Amigos office. We already had our credencials, but did start our camino from Madrid at the Santiago church and the priest we met there offered to provide us with a credencial, so it's possible for you to get one there.

Parroquia De Santiago Y San Juan Bautista
Calle de Santiago, 24, 28013 Madrid, Spain
91 548 08 24‎

Hope this helps, and buen camino!

lynne
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby LNata on 11 Jan 2010, 22:32

Thanks Lynne, this looks as the most possible option for me.

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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby Javier Martin on 13 Jan 2010, 14:41

LNata wrote:Thanks Lynne, this looks as the most possible option for me.

Natalia


Hi Natalia,

In my opinion the best option is the one you have chosen. Ramon knows another one but is not signed and in my opinion is easy to get lost.

If you can confirm me your exact journey walking this etapa I will tell him.

Buen Camino!

Javier Martin
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby LNata on 14 Jan 2010, 09:12

Javier, I will do this. I am still not 100% sure on which day I will start from home and I how long will it take for me to reach this shortcut part.. when I will book tickets, I will contact you by PM.

Thanks for your support!

Natalia.
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby JohnnieWalker on 14 Jan 2010, 09:41

lynnejohn wrote:We also arrived at the wrong time to visit the Amigos office. We already had our credencials, but did start our camino from Madrid at the Santiago church and the priest we met there offered to provide us with a credencial, so it's possible for you to get one there.

Parroquia De Santiago Y San Juan Bautista
Calle de Santiago, 24, 28013 Madrid, Spain
91 548 08 24‎

Hope this helps, and buen camino!

lynne



Hola - I was in this church just before New year and the priest was extremely friendly and offered a credencial and sello.
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby LNata on 15 Jan 2010, 09:24

Thanks Jonnie Walker. Now I will find this church for sure :)

I have booked both vacation and tickets. Decided that leaving on Friday will be too much for my employer :) So will arrive in Madrid on Saturday at ca. 10am and planning to start from Fuencarral on the same day around noon. Does it have sense to book something in COLMENAR VIEJO in advance as it looks that I will be there quite late that day?

Will appreciate any hints about possible cheap accomodations on a way till Segovia. Of course, I am aready checking Mundicamino site as well as CSJ Camino Madrig guide.
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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby lynnejohn on 15 Jan 2010, 15:26

Two places I know of in Colmenar Viejo:

Hostal Chaveli (91 8451165)

Hostal el Chiscon (34 918452847)

We stayed in Hostal el Chiscon and it was very nice.

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Re: From Madrid in mid of May. A lot of questions.

Postby Javier Martin on 15 Jan 2010, 18:25

lynnejohn wrote:Two places I know of in Colmenar Viejo:

Hostal Chaveli (91 8451165)

Hostal el Chiscon (34 918452847)

We stayed in Hostal el Chiscon and it was very nice.

lynne



It looks that the Hostal Chaveli is run by a woman who walked the Camino several years ago. I will sent to you by a PM her mobile phone, to make you easier to meet her if this is the one you choose.

But, in the same day I don't know if it's too much beginning walking so late and arriving to Colmenar. Yellow arrows are not easy to be found in darkness.

About the church of Santiago, it's not far from the Royal Palace, very well known for everybody in Madrid.

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
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