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Having walked many Caminos without bothering to reserve beds in advance, I would definitely recommend doing so for the Camino Inglés, both out of season, when some places are closed, and in the busy season, when the albergues and less expensive hotels become very busy.
The advice to carry an umbrella, mainly for protection against the sun, is very sound. If you can get one with an extra long stem so that you can attach it to your rucksack chest and waist straps, even better. EuroShirm is one of a few companies that make such an umbrella.
As several pilgrims...
A company based in Ireland called 'Camino Ways'. Not the cheapest, perhaps, but absolutely top-notch. Helpful, reliable, regular email contact whenever needed. Brilliant!
Website easily found online.
Buen Camino!
Tom
Certainly, Celi. The Forum allows only ten files. Two more will follow on another message.
The website of the Amis de Saint Jacques Pyrenees-Atlantique is easily found online. The yare very helpful and will reply in English if your French is no better than mine. (They are slow, but are...
In fact, the same applies to men (and women, of course, although beside the point in this case) who are in church on military, police, fire brigade or ambulance duties, for example. They are not expected to remove their headgear, a part of their uniform and a symbol of their office, although...
I consider mself long enough in the tooth to realise that, Molly, but that is life. I believe that we should try not to be offended by, or even slightly put out by, the different cultural approaches of people that we meet. We might even use a tricky situation to enlighten ourselves and the other...
Surely showing an interest in other people and their various motivations is fascinating, and is an example of good social interaction? Of course, we should all be alert to signals from others with whom we are walking that they may not wish the topic to go beyond small talk. On the other hand...
The first day couple of days from Irun are quite demanding if you are a bit out of training, although superb walking. I would recommend starting at St Jean-Pied-de-Port, then following the Irun Link. This is a very practical warm-up for the Norte, as you may walk the fairly easy 47 miles (76 km)...
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