Frances/Invierno Summer 2019

[Leibniz]

Hello fellow pilgrims, I was intrigued by the Invierno in Ponferrada in September, and had shared a bunk at the albergue St Nicolas de Flüe with an elderly peregrina who was Invierno-bound but told me she was feeling anxious about it.

After much reading on here and on FB, my mind is made up, the Invierno is for me! Even though I’m scared of dogs.

In fact I’m now planning to get walking poles *just for that*. I don’t normally want to walk with poles.

I’ll be setting off from SJPP on 27 July 2019, hoping to get to SdC by 31 August.

 

[MikeJS]

The Invierno is a wonderful camino but will be very different from the Frances. You will probably see more pilgrims in a single cafe on the Frances than you will meet along the whole of the Invierno!

 

[ksam]

Exactly what @MikeJS said!! But don't let that deter you.

Regarding the dog issue, I found walking the Primitive and the Camino Verde that if you just keep walking, don't make eye contact with the dogs it just quietly resolves itself. There was on incident on the Invierno, I think it was after Monforte de Lemos, where there were quite a few dogs together, however the owners were right there and calmed the motley crew down immediately. Just hold the poles level to the ground, in you hands...not in a threatening way and simply walk. Perhaps talking quietly to the pups. Also don't smile. Sounds weird but to a dog that's baring your teeth. Not a friendly gesture as it would be to a human. And breathe.

The Invierno is lovely and worth it. Even if you don't see another walker for days. IMHO

Buen Camino.

 

[Leibniz]

Thank you.
That’s exactly what I’m looking for. My most treasured moments on the Frances were the ones where I found solitude and contemplation.