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  1. happymarkos

    How many days off did you take on the CF?

    It’s not just about “doing” the Camino. To my mind it’s about “experiencing “ this pilgrim route people have been walking for over one thousand years. There are so many really interesting and historic places so my view is to aim for 40-42 days. This allows for rest days together with time to...
  2. happymarkos

    How to spend a rainy morning in St Jean

    I think there is a lot to see. It’s a matter of asking and wandering around. One entrance arch is where people arrive from Le Puy. Can walk the battlements and of course the pilgrims office for lots of information details on every place to stay, phone numbers etc and 🏧 etc all the way to...
  3. happymarkos

    The case for preserving the descent into Zubiri.

    I agree. The difference between my first CF over 10 years ago and again in 2018 was awful blue metal on parts before Zubti and other sections completely concreted. Very hard on the feet and legs.
  4. happymarkos

    Transport back from Orisson if full booked

    There are alternatives. A hew one a bit further on and a very well established one before Orisson, Check Brierly or Gronze.
  5. happymarkos

    Camino passport

    I spent some time as a volunteer in the Pilgrims office in StJPDP and from memory credentials were only issued to people there and I usually helped them fill in the details. That was some years ago. It was my understanding to stop tourists staying in albergues which apparently happens a lot...
  6. happymarkos

    Bag forwarding on the Camino Frances, March/April 2024

    The post office offers or used to offer a very competitive service. Check the Spanish post office web site
  7. happymarkos

    Walking two Caminos on one trip.

    Why not start at the original starting place for the CF, namely Le Puy in France. It is a wonderful Camino. Around 1560km in total. It’s a curiosity that the conventional CF is 95% in Spain whereas it truly has its name from the Bishop of Le Puy leading the first pilgrimage Happy Mark
  8. happymarkos

    Female lone traveller

    Hi Samantha Suggest you book the first 2 nights only. After that be more open. Sometimes looking at smaller villages between the big stages offers more flexibility and not as crowded Remember if you want to finish like a young parson, start like an old one. Slow and short distances until your...
  9. happymarkos

    Camino awesome, Santiago not so much

    Hi Ian I had a similar let down when I finished my first. It was such a contrast to the peace and spiritually of the Camino from Le Puy. Santiago didn’t seem to be very spiritual or special. Perhaps my expectation that it would be the highlight turned out to be unrealistic. The second and...
  10. happymarkos

    LIVE from the Camino The Camino Needs You.

    Lucky you. We are lockdown in Australia and not permitted to travel overseas unless there are exceptional circumstances. The sticking point is that the hotels in which inbound travellers have to quarantine for two weeks are FULL.. I doubt the Australian government would view me finishing the...
  11. happymarkos

    Planning to start from Roncevalles at beginning of July

    You will need to be prepared for hot weather. A sleeping bag liner should be enough. Some albergues also provide blankets if it's cold. If you can achieve 6.5 kgs you will be doing very well. Not sure if this includes water at 1kg per Litre. Fortunately there are many places on the CF where you...
  12. happymarkos

    Common Question: Days to walk SJPP to Santiago

    On my first CF I met 2 very experience French walkers who were sisters walking from Le Puy in stages and bemoaned the people who set out to "do the CF" as if its a challenge, as distinct from experiencing the CF. I met a man once in SJPDP who had walked back in 11 days! To my way of thinking a...
  13. happymarkos

    2019 Statistics

    Thank you. I wonder if it's possible to have data on the numbers leaving SJPDP compared to the numbers who arrive in Santiago? There has been some commentary that over 50% drop out although hard to know how to obtain accurate information. I know not everyone leaves from the pilgrims office in...
  14. happymarkos

    Medallion from Pilgrim’s Office in St. Jean

    Hi Joe haven't heard of this medallion at all. The Pilgrims Office did not have such a thing when I last volunteered there. What was the medallion commemorating? Seasons Greetings Mark
  15. happymarkos

    Rabanal del Camino Albergues

    I agree that the one run by the Confraternity is excellent. We stayed there last October. Just note you can't book or send a backpack there. They don't take people who aren't carrying their own. It is also not open all year.
  16. happymarkos

    Latest you would depart from SJPDP in the fall

    I started early October in 2018 and we had very cold weather from about the end of October. Sleet and snow in Galicia. Arrived Santiago about 10 November. Miserable. Also, many albergues closed from last week in October so planning becomes more challenging. On the plus side, moderate numbers...
  17. happymarkos

    Statistics: what percent finish

    On my last CF last October/ Hi On my last CF in October/ November by Burgos around 40% had feet and leg issues and unlikely to go much further. Not a formal statistic, but an observation. Some planned to bus the Meseta and others forced to stop.
  18. happymarkos

    Albergue at Sahagun

    Yes, I stayed there 5 Years ago when the nuns in the Convent were in charge and it was pretty dismal. However stayed there again last October with the 3 Marists priests running the Albergue.. A wonderful experience with them in charge. Had two nights as my wife had the virus that was going...
  19. happymarkos

    Friends of Bill W.

    Hi Colette and others I also have the Joe and Charlie tapes on my iPhone as well as lots of other fellowship literature including Daily Reflections. I listen to J&C at night before sleeping and in the morning read the DF and also the 24 Hour Book also on my phone. Almost everyone who asks why I...

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