About to start

[miriamaok]

hello from the station at Bayonne where I just missed the train to SJPP and have a 3 hour wait for the next one! I have been reading the forum compulsively for about 6 months and thought - maybe some day! Then I realised some day had arrived. I have 2 months before needing to return to the UK. I haven't booked my return flight and have a vague plan to travel around Portugal and Spain depending on how far I get with the Camino.

Thanks for all the invaluable advice on here. I feel very well informed and supported. Physically I could be in better shape but I have time to start slowly and build my strength. I have arthritis in both feet and am diabetic which brings its own challenges. I do quite a bit of walking but more in the wind and rain than the heat.

A few issues have arisen already though! My pack is slightly too heavy 8.3kgs on the scales at the airport. Is there a post office in SJPP that I could send things on to Santiago?

I couldn't get in to orisson so think I'll get the bus to roncesvalles and start from there. Then see how I go. I also left my walking poles at home in Yorkshire (by the front door)! So need to buy some in SJPP.

I'm sure these problems will resolve themselves as I go along. Thanks again for all the amazing advice and common sense on this forum!

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Miriam. You could always take the Valcarlos route, there is an albergue and private accommodation there and it it is a beautiful and somewhat easier route. There is a Post Office in St Jean but if you could wait until Pamplona it would be cheaper to send stuff on from there. There are several hiking shops in St Jean, one very close to the Pilgrims Office.
Have a great Camino.
Buen Camino.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Hello and Welcome!

It's almost midnight here in Australia and reading your post, I'm immediately transported back to the train station at Bayonne last April and the eager anticipation and equal trepidation of a forthcoming Camino.

Your plan sounds very well thought out. Buying poles in St Jean PdP shouldn't be an issue as the outdoor shop across from the Pilgrim's Office is an Aladdin's Cave for pilgrims: http://www.boutique-du-pelerin.com/en/

Posting your excess gear from Pamplona is the best option. If you think that your pack's too heavy you can always use one of the backpack transport services to get it there and just walk with a minimal day pack.

I have severe osteoarthritis in both big toes so need to manage that but it wasn't an issue for me on the Camino.

You have a great attitude towards your Camino (it's already begun by the way!). Flexibility is a virtue on the Way.

Buen Camino!

Go Well.

 

[Mark Lee]

Yeah, for sure lighten that pack up.
Looks like it is still very warm and dry in Spain. I see sunny temps of 33 C in Pamplona and 28 C in Burgos. Probably some cold weather stuff you packed that you may not need.
Cheers and ultreia and stay hydrated (hat and sunscreen, too).

 

[whariwharangi]

Is there a post office in SJPP that I could send things on to Santiago?

France La Poste
http://www.laposte.fr/particulier

Spain Correos
http://www.correos.es/ss/Satellite/site/pagina-inicio/sidioma=en_GB

An alternative is Express Bourricot. You can also ask them about taking you part way up the mountain.
http://www.expressbourricot.com/

Ivar, the operator of this website will hold packages in Santiago. Click the 'Casa Ivar' button

 

[KinkyOne]

hello from the station at Bayonne where I just missed the train to SJPP and have a 3 hour wait for the next one! I have been reading the forum compulsively for about 6 months and thought - maybe some day! Then I realised some day had arrived. I have 2 months before needing to return to the UK. I haven't booked my return flight and have a vague plan to travel around Portugal and Spain depending on how far I get with the Camino.

Thanks for all the invaluable advice on here. I feel very well informed and supported. Physically I could be in better shape but I have time to start slowly and build my strength. I have arthritis in both feet and am diabetic which brings its own challenges. I do quite a bit of walking but more in the wind and rain than the heat.

A few issues have arisen already though! My pack is slightly too heavy 8.3kgs on the scales at the airport. Is there a post office in SJPP that I could send things on to Santiago?

I couldn't get in to orisson so think I'll get the bus to roncesvalles and start from there. Then see how I go. I also left my walking poles at home in Yorkshire (by the front door)! So need to buy some in SJPP.

I'm sure these problems will resolve themselves as I go along. Thanks again for all the amazing advice and common sense on this forum!

Hi, Miriam,

@wayfarer gave you some good advice. I took Valcarlos route in 2009 and made it all the way to Roncesvalles in one day despite twisted ankle.

It seems like there will be another forum member @Alice Paton on the same train today. She was waiting in Bayonne for lost baggage and is travelling with her mother if I remember correctly from her previous posts. So you can start your Camino family even before reaching starting point

Ultreia!

 

[miriamaok]

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for her.

 

[miriamaok]

We found each other! We are on the train and making friends already.

 

[domigee]

Lovely! Buen Camino

 

[KinkyOne]

We found each other! We are on the train and making friends already.

Nice to hear that. Have a nice dinner and keep us posted how it goes.

Buen Camino!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Use Casa Ivar: http://www.casaivar.com/luggage-storage-in-santiago-de-compostela/index.html
and one of these post offices in Pamplona: https://www.google.com/maps/search/post+office+pamplona+spain/@42.8153226,-1.6508701,2688m/data=!3m1!4b1?sa=X&hl=en
and the Valcarlos route.

 

[kdespot]

Is there anywhere in or near León that cold weather stuff can be sent to and picked up when we get there?

 

[AcrossTheWater3008]

@kdespot

I think you can send your stuff to a post office in Leon to pick up... but be careful as I met a guy who did that and his stuff were delayed in the post for a loooong while! Over a week from his expected date of arrival!

You could send to the albergue or hotel you staying but again there could be delay, as above!

Check at the Correos? Good luck..

 

[VNwalking]

I sent some stuff to the US from SJPP, but suggest you hang onto the other extra things you have until you get to Pamplona--and then send them to Ivar. It's costly and impractical to send things to Spain from France, but the Post Office in Pamplona is clearly used to helping overloaded pilgrims!
Buen Camino, whichever route you choose!

 

[Priscilla NC]

We found each other! We are on the train and making friends already.

This made me smile. Buen Camino!!!