Hola John
You are doing the same as I did; Frances first, then Norte.
Norte is, as I am sure you know, along the coast which is stunning and many things are similar to Frances, such as Albergues, pilgrims, friendly local people and good food.
The Norte is lesser traveled so you may meet fewer pilgrims on route, but as there also are fewer Albergues, you may also end up spending the night with them regardless.
Norte may require a little bit more planning, or experience as you have from your previous Camino, to be able to cope with the longer distances and fewer lodging possibilities.
That said, I found easily a cheap place to spend the night on my entire Norte/Primitivo walk.
On Frances you pass Albergues all day, and this is not so on Norte, so knowing your capabilities, how many km you can walk and how long it will take, helps to not get stressed by unforeseen challenges.
Also, you may have to stay a few nights at Youth Hostels or private lodging, which I found a bit more expensive, so maybe plan to spend a few Euros more on your entire walk.
As on Frances, a way to see the walk is my weeks.
First week is hard on the body to adjust to the physical demands, but on Norte this is a bit more demanding as there are many ups and downs the first week. Nowhere on Frances there is a similar week.
Second and third week, you will be walking on more leveled terrain and also quiet a bit on paved automobile road.
Bringing a 'traffic vest' may come in handy as well as many pilgrims report that they find it hard on the feet, due to the hard surface.
As you are walking in summer, I would recommend you to bring some swimming shorts to cool off in the ocean.
A few gems on the Norte would be the Albergue in Güemes, owned by Ernesto, as the cave paintings Altamira at Santillana del Mar.
The actual cave is closed to public, but there is a museum with copies of the 18500 years old depictings.
The town itself is like a small time travel back centuries ago.
I would recommend you to read up on Camino Primitivo.
Once you get to Ribadesella you are at the fork to either continue along the coast on Norte, or go inland up through the mountains, which can be hard, and pass Oviedo and Lugo to finally join up with Frances for the last few days.
You don't have to decide what to do now, but just wait until you get there.
Then other pilgrims, your physical situation, time will tell you what to do.
One other thing along Norte which I found a nice detour was to spend a few days at Picos de Europa.
On Norte, when you get to Unquera, you can take a bus up to Potes, which takes a few hours and there is an Albergue there.
Actually, you can walk the way also, as it is yet another Camino route, but when I visited most was closed due to the season.
So. The Camino is calling and you are already on your way.
Buen Camino
Lettinggo
Link to advices on Norte ( Primarily March through May)
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/norte-in-april-advice-and-stories-welcome.24307/