Oct. 12 lodging, National Holiday in Spain

[MARSKA]

How far in advance do I need to make a reservation for the night of 10/12/23 (National Holiday)?
I really do not know where I will be on 10/12.
I plan to stay in Uterga 9/30 and leave there on on 9/31 but I am having trouble estimating my time/distance through the 12th of October. My best guess is that I will be somewhere around Villamayor del Río. Any suggestions? What is the best way to manage this type of situation? I do not want to go Off Camino, but if needs be...

 

[trecile]

I don't think that it will be a huge problem on the Camino.

 

[J Willhaus]

2 years ago, my husband arrived in Foncebaden on this date and the town was teaming with tour buses. He went to every albergue and finally found a bed at the only donativo in town. If you are in a major tourist town or a town of any size, I would make a reservation for a bed.

 

[Tassie Kaz]

...I plan to stay in Uterga 9/30 and leave there on on 9/31 but I am having trouble estimating my time/distance through the 12th of October...

There are only 30 days in September so be careful you don't muck up any arrangements by being out by a day...

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@MARSKA , wait until you are fairly sure where you will be, then book - presumably 2-3 day's out. Or, if you're really anxious, maximum a week, but then keep your stages before a little shorter than usual. Worse case, you can always taxi forward/ back a little. Doing it now is just going to put stress on you to achieve that stop. There are so many factors at play ( weather, the state of your feet, how you're feeling, the people you meet ) that it's not worth trying to plan it right now.
And as you've already mentioned worst case you can go off Camino. You'll be fine!

 

[roving_rufus]

Given your other posting -about jitters- I am getting a sense of nervousness - don't worry about the 12th just yet. Leave it closer to it and then figure out where you are and make a plan

 

[Rav]

Hola Marska. Thanks for the heads-up about the national holiday. I’ll be two days from flying out of SdC on the 12th and have no idea where I’ll be then— my injured ankle and slow pace will decide that for me. I’m on the meseta right now, and have yet to book anything. Twice I have been turned away from my first choice of albergue, and both times I found a bed in the second. The first time, I experienced immediate anxiety, until I remembered that if I sleep outside a night, I’d be fine. I’ve camped under the stars often in my life.

All of my pre-camino worries have vanished. I’m walking my pace, my camino, never racing for a bed, never planning ahead where I’ll stop. I feel so free and in the moment and it’s wonderful. I do understand that to be free from worry, some must plan and book. For me, those are the things that cause worry and stress.

May you enjoy every moment of your camino, however it unfolds!

 

[davejsy]

until I remembered that if I sleep outside a night, I’d be fine. I’ve camped under the stars often in my life

So sleeping out once or twice kinda appeals to me on the Camino, obviously weather and suitable spot permitting. What are people's thoughts and experiences? Is it a big no or is it something many people do?

 

[David Tallan]

How far in advance do I need to make a reservation for the night of 10/12/23 (National Holiday)?
I really do not know where I will be on 10/12.
I plan to stay in Uterga 9/30 and leave there on on 9/31 but I am having trouble estimating my time/distance through the 12th of October. My best guess is that I will be somewhere around Villamayor del Río. Any suggestions? What is the best way to manage this type of situation? I do not want to go Off Camino, but if needs be...

I was on Camino in Spain at that time in 2018 (in Padrón, I think) and I don't remember it having any effect on my Camino at all.

 

[oursonpolaire]

So sleeping out once or twice kinda appeals to me on the Camino, obviously weather and suitable spot permitting. What are people's thoughts and experiences? Is it a big no or is it something many people do?

Extemely rare along the Francese, given that it passes through both urban and farming areas, with few opportunities for wild camping. Some albergues allow it on their property.

There are pages and pages of discussion on this forum on the topic. Search away!

 

[davejsy]

Extemely rare along the Francese, given that it passes through both urban and farming areas, with few opportunities for wild camping. Some albergues allow it on their property.

There are pages and pages of discussion on this forum on the topic. Search away!

Yes I wasn't referring to full on camping, just the odd night under the stars on a comfy bench or something. Will do a search as you suggest.

 

[MARSKA]

There are only 30 days in September so be careful you don't muck up any arrangements by being out by a day...

Whoops! 30 days has September, April, June and November.....guess I forgot to sing the song...

 

[Tassie Kaz]

Whoops! 30 days has September, April, June and November.....guess I forgot to sing the song...

Well, least you don't have to worry about February being in the mix!
Happy trails...relax & enjoy...you'll be fine.