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  1. Doodles

    How much Italian needed?

    We've done the Camino Frances, Portugal and Arles and have gotten by just with our English and a few words in Spanish, Portuguese and French. We plan to do part of the Via Francigena this year, probably the last 400 km, but I just read in Alison Raju's Via Francigena guidebook that you REALLY...
  2. Doodles

    English guidebooks?

    This is what I was afraid of. What are the best guides in French?
  3. Doodles

    English guidebooks?

    What are the best English guidebooks for the entire Arles route to Puente la Reina? I've got the two CSJ books but am looking for something with reasonable maps. Anything similar to the Brierley guidebooks out there?
  4. Doodles

    One walking stick vs two

    If you have really bad knees then two poles can help on the downhills; otherwise, I would use one or none. People have been using a single pole or staff for hundreds of years so I don't know why they are now a bad idea. I have trekking poles but have become less and less of a fan using only...
  5. Doodles

    Comment by 'Doodles' in media 'cyclist'

    Beep, beep! ...(but not often enough).
    • Doodles
    • Gallery comment
  6. Doodles

    Bed Bug spray where to buy it?

    Just wondering, how often have you found bed bugs? I've done two Caminos now (Frances and Portuguese) and have never encountered a problem.
  7. Doodles

    Casa da Fernanda

    We stayed there and had a wonderful time. They are great hosts so don't miss it.
  8. Doodles

    Brierley's Finisterre guidebook - good addition?

    I'm kind of surprised that guidebooks are such a contentious subject. I found Brierley's books loaded with helpful information and my Bible for the Frances, Portuguese and the Finisterre/Muxia. When you think about it hiking is a very cheap activity and guidebooks relatively inexpensive. If...
  9. Doodles

    Croc shower sandals and other ways to cut weight

    My wife took some Crocs last year but I find them bulky to pack so I stuck with plain old flip flops. Both work fine. We live in Thailand where flip flops are what we wear 99% of the time so it was a no brainer for me. I think the pack weight issue is over blown. It's not a strenuous...
  10. Doodles

    How realistic is it to use a 28L Pack?

    Absolutely big enough. My wife, also 5'2", used a OMM Classic 25L (http://www.racingtheplanet.com/store/gear/backpacks-bags/backpack/omm-classic-marathon-25l-backpack.html) and I used the same pack but a 32L size. We did the Frances last Spring and had plenty of room for all we needed.
  11. Doodles

    Life Happens Now ..

    I came across this blog about walking the Frances on another forum and thought others here may enjoy it, I did. http://tinybuddha.com/blog/life-happens-now-lessons-500-mile-walk/
  12. Doodles

    Camino Portugues or El Camino del Norte?

    Mike, You said … "..just recently had to change plans to go on a section in the interior of it because of bad news, this is put back to next year. I like both but i feel the the portugues from Lisbon at the moment is very challenging for the first few days.." Can you elaborate? What was the...
  13. Doodles

    15C sleeping bag warm enough?

    We walked the Frances this Spring starting May 8 and it was cold, one of the coldest Springs in a long time so everyone said. We had 5C bags and were glad we had them. We also supplemented with albergue blankets, but we were coming from Thailand and not ready for cold weather. I would err on...
  14. Doodles

    Camino Portugues or El Camino del Norte?

    We are going in the Spring, starting around May 1.
  15. Doodles

    Camino Portugues or El Camino del Norte?

    Last year we did the Frances and this year we are trying to decide between del Norte and the Portugues. Anyone want to offer some advice, comparisons, insight, etc. that might help us decide. Would especially like to hear from anyone who has done both.
  16. Doodles

    Do I need to speak Portuguese?

    Last year we did the Frances and for 2014 we are considering the Portuguese route (Lisbon to Santiago), but after purchasing Brierley's guidebook and reading the opening notes I'm reconsidering. Here's what he says on page 5 about the section from Lisbon to Porto… " ..and should only be...
  17. Doodles

    What Should We Not Take ?.... see draft packig list

    Most of this has already been mentioned, but I'd leave home the water bladders, extra water bottles, space blanket, sleeping mat, tarp, tent pegs, and all the kitchen and cooking gear. I'm assuming you're doing the Frances route.
  18. Doodles

    Not a walker/hiker

    What's the rush? Why do you have to begin in 2 or 3 weeks. Jumping into this with no training may be doable but you could also ended up with injuries or at a minimum lots of blisters. Why not do a reasonable amount of training and then give it a go? You're bound to enjoy it more. I did it...
  19. Doodles

    osprey aura 50 vs osprey sirrus 36

    As others have said, the 36L is more than sufficient. I used a 32L and my wife a 25L when we did the Frances in May/June of this year and no problems. The smaller size will encourage you to take less and you will be glad you did.
  20. Doodles

    Myths of the Camino...

    From the Wikipedia page on the Botafumeiro ....(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botafumeiro) We saw what we thought was the Botafumeiro on June 24 at the pilgrim's mass, but now I'm wondering if it was this other one. I've checked my photos and in one it looks silver but in others like brass...

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