Recent content by SturdyLegs

  1. SturdyLegs

    Is it possible to get stamps from Albergues if not staying there?

    Every business has a stamp. No need to go to albergues if you are not staying there - your hotel, bars, cafes, grocery stores will stamp for you if you're there. Albergues won't refuse to stamp your credential if you're not staying there and you can't find a stamp somewhere else, but it is more...
  2. SturdyLegs

    Booking Train from Bayonne to SJPDP

    It is not needed to book.
  3. SturdyLegs

    Should I risk not booking in SJPDP and go for the refuge instead?

    Arrived in SJPDP without booking end of March 22 to start CF. Went to the refuge, found a bed. No problem. Did not book a bed from SJPDP all the way to Santiago (except Leon where I rang up a day ahead because of Easter). I love the freedom and flexibility of taking it day by day. Mind you, this...
  4. SturdyLegs

    Spiritual Variante

    Yes, on the right side of the river walking down the hill, in the direction of Santiago! Enjoy!
  5. SturdyLegs

    Spiritual Variante

    Yes, on the right side of the river walking down the hill, in the direction of Santiago.
  6. SturdyLegs

    Learning Portuguese from Portugal (not Brazilian)

    As a linguist and language teacher I second what's said above. Even if you use a more Portugal-Portuguese oriented app, it does not mean you will be able to straight away understand everything (or anything) that's said around you or to you once you land in Portugal. That takes some getting used...
  7. SturdyLegs

    Santiago de Compostela to Ferrol

    Taking the bus from Santiago to Ferrol from Santiago's main bus station (close to centre) generally does not require booking. There are several each day. You can just check the timetable (Monbus) a few days before your trip (and book if you like).
  8. SturdyLegs

    Accommodation options on the Camino Portuguese: To book or not to book?

    I walked Lisboa to Santiago (via Portuguese Central) last year (2023) in May and did not book, and always easily found a bed (albergues, hostels, and the odd residencial or simple hotel). Only exceptions: I rang up and reserved a room in Lisboa, Coimbra, Porto and Santiago a day before arrival...
  9. SturdyLegs

    Phone connection on VDLP

    I recently walked Seville to Santiago (via Sanabres) and had no problems with reception via Orange. This said, I do not use the phone much, so it's possible there are patches with no coverage I am not aware of.
  10. SturdyLegs

    Spiritual Variante

    When leaving Armenteira, at the start of the Ruta de la Piedra y del Aqua, you will have the option of walking down the river on either the right side or the left side of the river/stream. There are also waymarks pointing to either side. Ultimately both tracks arrive at the same point (so you...
  11. SturdyLegs

    Ferrol - Worth a Look?

    I took the bus in the morning from Santiago to Ferrol, spent the rest of the morning in Ferrol (half a day seemed adequate to me), had lunch in the port area (near where the starting marker of the Camino Ingles is), then walked my first stage in the afternoon. I preferred this over hanging...
  12. SturdyLegs

    Travel by train from Paris to St Jean Pied de Port.

    Super simple (as others said on this thread): by train from Gare Montparnasse in Paris to Bayonne and then from Bayonne Station take the train to Saint-Jean Pied de Port. If for whatever reason (maintenance, landslide, strike) the train to SJPDP is not going, there will be a bus replacement...
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