Bernice Matthews
New Member
Hi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
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Yes start in St Jean other wise you will miss the view and a moderate challenge and perhaps regret itHi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
Pack as light as possible.Hi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
Hi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
I agree with the training, (although I didn't and just started slowly and got fitter as I went along ) but nothing can prepare you for carrying a 7kg+ pack day after day after day....unless you can do that for a couple of weeks when you are training? But, you know what....I am sure you will be fine and that you will have a wonderful experienceTrain and then train somemore. When you think your physicaly fit and ready, train more. Take it easy the first week. Drink lots of water before, during, and after your daily trek. Take frequent breaks. Listen to your body when it talks to you. Allow yourself days to do nothing. As stated above, pack light. You can buy extra grar on the Caminos if you need it. Take you time, it's not a foot race. Above all, have fun!
Happy Trails
GreatDane, you are spot on: look back! Not only does it encourage you as what you have done, but it puts things into perspective but can provide you with lovely scenary. Enjoy!Remember to stop and turn around a couple times a day! The view behind you can be magnificent too. Some of my favorite views were to see sun light rising around the steeple of the village church that I'd walked through earlier.
Hi Bernice - I started in Roncesvalles and on the whole I am glad I did but there is a little nagging voice .
LesBras, this is too funny! Yes, tiny, tiny bits of luxury can help! I brought sample bottles of perfume for the evening! I love the scent of Vic's, but since it does not come in small bottles I have a mini can of BagBalm. Works wonders! If there is one item I will bring with me on a desert island, it's Burt's Bees beeswax lipbalm. I carry in it in my pocket at all times. Yes to not having 10 km walks unless you are stopping in a particular place or need the rest really bad. After all, you will want to quit everyday after 2, 5 10k, but don't cave in. You can do 15-20 unless, like me, you have a heel spur - which I chose to ignore (not to be done!)
And do start in SJPP - and stop in Ontonos if you must. But if this 40+, 100+ pounds overweight woman can do it, you can.
As for training ... isn't the Camino "training"? Again, if I can do it, you will fly through it.
Enjoy!
Hi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
Hey Bernice. I'll be a couple of days behind you. I start in SJPDP on the 7th. Happy planning. You'll get only the best advice here. My only one tip, don't asked about getting a coffee in a take away container. Bad. Very bad. LOLYes start in St Jean other wise you will miss the view and a moderate challenge and perhaps regret it
@Bernice Matthews welcome to the forum. I love that you have chosen to start walking in Roncesvalles.
I think it sad that so much emphasis is put on starting at St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port and to walk the route Napoleon. Granted, it is a lovely walk (provided the weather lets you see, which it frequently does not) but there are many places in the world with mountains and good views. It is not even historically correct if you are wanting to walk the Medieval pilgrim route (which is via Valcarlos).
Roncesvalles is special. It is a wonderful place to start, the traditional place for all Spanish pilgrims. Go to the mass in the evening. Regardless of your religious beliefs or non beliefs, the history is palpable. Through the ages pilgrims have taken rest and shelter there, and been blessed and encouraged for the journey ahead. The Albergue is modern, but in the church and during the mass you will feel the presence of those who have walked before. Being blessed together is a wonderful bonding moment with those who will share your journey.
Kanga correct the first time we did the Frances we had to go via Valcarlos and though it had its own beauty I always regreted not going over the top, this year we did it because the weather was fine and my wife Linda thought that the experience was one of the highlights of our Frances. so do what you think is best for you and I have to say that I would love to atart in Le Puy but that is unrealistic for us so we will have to live with some regrets My main message is do it it is not a destination, it is a journey, but an adictive one@Bernice Matthews welcome to the forum. I love that you have chosen to start walking in Roncesvalles.
I think it sad that so much emphasis is put on starting at St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port and to walk the route Napoleon. Granted, it is a lovely walk (provided the weather lets you see, which it frequently does not) but there are many places in the world with mountains and good views. It is not even historically correct if you are wanting to walk the Medieval pilgrim route (which is via Valcarlos).
Roncesvalles is special. It is a wonderful place to start, the traditional place for all Spanish pilgrims. Go to the mass in the evening. Regardless of your religious beliefs or non beliefs, the history is palpable. Through the ages pilgrims have taken rest and shelter there, and been blessed and encouraged for the journey ahead. The Albergue is modern, but in the church and during the mass you will feel the presence of those who have walked before. Being blessed together is a wonderful bonding moment with those who will share your journey.
Hiya stay at the monastery at Rosconvalles it's fabulous place got a real pilgrim feel to it, if you can and have the time, fitness level , and determination start from Saint jean de pied port the views from the climb up to rosconvalles is magic unforgettable buen caminoHi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
Thank for this wonderful post. I am trying to figure out how to start my walk. I will aim for the spring but am terrified. I will be doing this pilgrimage on my own. I have RA and fibromyalgia so I am on the fence. But my camino mind will not let up!Hi Bernice - I started in Roncesvalles and on the whole I am glad I did but there is a little nagging voice that says I wish I started in St Jean... to which my husband says nonsense and I should get over myself
If I was going to do it again this is what I'd change or recommend...
Of course this is just my list and everyone else would have a different list... but I hope some of it helps. I was so nervous about walking but once I got started I felt well prepared and things just fell into place... have a fabulous time!
- Take a sleeping bag and not a liner
- I would walk to Zubiri on the first day instead of stopping early. I decided to take things very easy in the first few days... your own fitness levels will dictate this for you... I broke the first stage into two and was soooo bored. I stopped after 12km, it was before lunch and really wish I had continued on. If you're worried about accommodation or beds you can book into a hostel in advance for the first night in Zubiri so that you know you're sorted... then you can walk slowly and take your time.
- Take coloured t-shirts... I got very fed up with black and navy and bought 2 new ones. I also took 2 pairs of identical black trousers and really wish I'd taken 2 different colours/styles... it sounds ridiculous but you're wearing these clothes night and day so you do get a little bored
- I took a sarong and used it loads... it was a skirt, a blanket, a towel and a scarf... in leon I used it like a wrap to look a bit more of a townie too... light and cheap this was a great tip from other pilgrims
- Get a poncho with proper sleeves - I used a poncho that had sort of sleeves but the rain would trickle down the gaps... I've inherited an altus poncho as a gift from another pilgrim and this is much more like a coat... works a treat
- I would take a few small luxury items... a tiny bottle of perfume, a little pot of face cream, a lip gloss. I was so worried about weight I only took the essentials... I bought so many things along the way I think I'd added 2kg to my pack at the end and I never really noticed. Dont go mad as a lighter pack is wonderful but take a couple of treasures with you
- If you can take a bar of Lush shampoo... it can come in its own little tin, very light, smells wonderful, my hair felt great and it easily lasted the entire trip
- Use Vics menthol rub on your feet... smells wonderful, lubriates and moisturises your feet and just feels very nice
- Dont assume you'll be able to buy things as you walk. We hit Logrono, Burgos and Leon when the shops were closed... I had to wait until Astorga before I could buy a sleeping bag and a techincal t-shirt
- GET THE RIGHT SHOES AND SOCKS... did I say that loud enough
p.s. there is also loads of good wifi all along the route
Lol, I meant what time of the year.( Left - Right ) Then repeat as many times as necessary.
The single hardest day for me was toward the end walking down from Cruz de Fero to Molinaseca
Everyone seems worried about the walk over the Pyrenees. I know I was and I see it in the posts here. We walked from St. Jean but went the Valcarlos way because the weather was not good on the Route Napoleon in April 2013. Walking up was hard -- I had to stop often and it took us a while to get to Roncesvalles (we left at 8 and go there around 4:30). But I found walking down hills was harder. The two day walk down from Roncesvalles to Pamplona was difficult for me and I had some joint pain and struggled a bit with balance (I have an old ankle injury and some minor knee issues and I sure knew I had those issues on the way down). The single hardest day for me was toward the end walking down from Cruz de Fero to Molinaseca -- I was really tired and hurting when I got to the albergue that day.
I write this just so you think it through and consider that up is not always the hardest! Part of what training will do is help you better evaluate your personal strengths and weakness. But I agree that you should start where you need to start.
Buen Camino and I hope you are able to savor every single moment of your Camino!
Savor the moment, especially the unexpected!
Like running into an old friend in O'Cebrerrio?
Hi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
BerniceHi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
Thanks for thatHi Mike,
You can get a bus from airport into Bilbao bus station (every half hour and takes about half an hour) and a bus from there to Pamplona. (Alsa Bus) From Pamplona bus station you get the bus to Roncavalles. I think that bus leaves at 6.00pm and arrives in time for the evening Pilgrim Mass at 8.00 pm
Buen Camino
Hi I am starting my first Camino on 6th May 2015 in Roncesvalles, any tips?
Hi Mike I will now be starting from Roncesvalles on the 8th as I fly into Bilbao on the 5th.Bernice
A friend and I are looking to be in R on the night of the 5th so we may bump into each other
We are flying into Bilbao and not quite sure how we will get to R as yet but am working on it
Mike
Hi BerniceHi Mike I will now be starting from Roncesvalles on the 8th as I fly into Bilbao on the 5th.
I may bump into you and your friend still. Have you picked up any good tips or are you a seasoned hiker?