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Our experience as a couple

scott the farmer

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2014 Pamplona to Burgos, 2017 SJDP to Santiago,
Hi we just completed our Camino and thought some of our experiences could be helpful.
This is written from the point of view of a 56 year old male and a 59 year old female. We had done some training and I was quite a bit fitter than my wife.
This is my second Camino and with my wife's fitness level I vowed to walk at her level, carry her water and concentrate on helping her when ever she needed it. Some accommodation was booked in large cities this had good and bad effects but more on this later. Our packs were 8kgs for my wife and 9kgs for me (though this became different).
I packed one set of trekking poles and these became invaluable as we used one each and we found them to be essential for certain sections.
We walked the Valcarlos route to break the trip to Roncesvalles into two days. This worked well with a bit of road walking but was worth the ease of the first day and made the next day much easier. The albergue at Valcarlos is good and we were at Roncesvalles before 1 pm so we easily had a bed for the second night.
The next day to Zubiri was the worst, forget the 23kms it is more like 28kms and for many the tiredness after yesterdays climb (from SJPdP to Roncesvalles) caused many problems in the steep and rocky decline at the end. I would advise that either a pack transfer or going to an albergue after Roncesvalles to make the route shorter. If not for the kind deed of a young man taking my wife's pack the last 4kms I don't think she could have made it.
When we reached Pamplona it was obvious she could not walk while carrying her pack for the whole distance each day (I had carried her pack several times and that wasn't sustainable for me). We then arranged pack transfer which is easy to arrange but tied us to a destination (I also took advantage of this so my pack was down to 4-5 kilos and certainly made it easy for me)
So with these changes we set off:
As we walked my wife found it necessary to take some rest days because of injury and tiredness so some sections had to be skipped to stay on schedule (this was the downside of pre booking,the upside was lovely rooms) but the majority was walked even though she had the pain of a bruised heel .
We arrived in Santiago after 38 days together and still talking which is amazing and I was so proud of her !!!
So to sum up pack transfer was great for us.
Planning too much can be a disadvantage you need to be flexible to react to events that will happen
If stoping early 1-2 pm and you are not fussy you will always find beds, you can book ahead easily as you walk either by internet or asking your host that night to ring ahead.
We walked 5th may to 11th June and sometimes it was busy and sometimes not (we like to socialise so not an issue for us). One thing that was very annoying were the bikes on difficult sections, not using their bell and expecting you to get out of their way while you had difficulty enough traversing the terrain. At times there were roads right next to the walking trail and my wife and I both believe they should have been using these.
The last 100kms was interesting as by then we had formed a tribe or family so it was difficult to integrate with the new pilgrims certainly at first but we had expected this so were prepared for this.
Last time I had completed the Pamplona to Burgos route which I now realise was easier compared to some of the other sections of the Frances. We had no blisters between us and were averaging 20kms each day ensuring rest breaks to air our feet and wool socks, we also had one size larger trainers than normal to compensate for the wool socks and allow our feet to expand.
To be honest I had some doubts before we started, was this a good idea , was my first great experience a one off and was I asking too much of my wife.
All I can say is that if anything with my wife beside me it was even better than last time I just wish she didn't have to go though so much while I got off scot free pain wise.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
As I am less fit than my husband, both of our packs (or at least most of the stuff in our packs) will be transported to Orisson and then to Roncesvales. The 3rd day will be a very short walking day. Our goal is to not break ourselves, ease into the walk. I have trained, he is still stronger :) . My pack is 6k and his will be about 9k dry weight.
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
My wife is quite petite, but tough as nails. That being said, it was good that I have a 60 L pack as after a few days I could see she was struggling with her pack weight. Rather than focus on her pack weight or give her a hard time for over packing, I offered to take some of her items as my pack had some extra room in it. After this adjustment, things went great and we both enjoyed our Camino very much.
In subsequent Camino's, she reduced her pack weight, so was never an issue again.
 
Your story is a great encouragement to me. I was going to do it alone in Sept, and a few weeks ago my wife agreed to come along. We have been working out and walking to prepare and I am thrilled we will be taking it on together. Our plan is to start slowly and ease into it. Thanks for sharing your experience.
 
Are you both planning another Camino?
Is your wife as enthusiastic...?!

For my wife it is a one off I think, for me I would do it if possible but it may have to be a small one as I would miss my wife too much
My wife was very happy with the social side not so much with the walking though losing 6 kilos was a nice side effect
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Well, walking is the main requirement...the adage, absence makes the heart ❤️ grow fonder, springs to mind.

If it is your holy joy, wishing you many more wonderful Caminos!!
You can always chat to you wife via Skype/what's app or any other techno device on the threshold of invention...
 
My husband and I have walked many times over the years, and we find that passing weight back and forth, and always letting the weakest person have the poles, works really well for us.

"The weakest person" changes a lot, I'm the weakest uphill and downhill, but can walk another 10 km when my husband has run out of energy. I'm also generally faster than him, so I adjust to his slower speed. Right now, I can carry much more than he can (lots and lots of martial arts practice), so I make sure I have a big pack with space for his stuff. The first couple of times, he was stronger and carried more.

We do pack a bit lighter than you two, though...
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Your story is a great encouragement to me. I was going to do it alone in Sept, and a few weeks ago my wife agreed to come along. We have been working out and walking to prepare and I am thrilled we will be taking it on together. Our plan is to start slowly and ease into it. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I found that most couples who realize they don't have to walk together have a better time of things. You are going to reach your daily destination but at your own pace meeting and walking with those at your pace. Then reuniting to spend the afternoon together talking about how it was and who you met. Just another option for couples. I highly recommend doing it solo...then it's open for your way whatever that brings
 
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I found that most couples who realize they don't have to walk together have a better time of things. You are going to reach your daily destination but at your own pace meeting and walking with those at your pace. Then reuniting to spend the afternoon together talking about how it was and who you met. Just another option for couples. I highly recommend doing it solo...then it's open for your way whatever that brings
I think that's probably a good policy for anyone walking the Camino with another person or more.
 
I think that's probably a good policy for anyone walking the Camino with another person or more.
I was solo but only had the trail to myself for about 8 hours over a 37 day period. But I was free to make decisions on the spot and self reflect. Plus the Camino family just happens
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
My wife has travelled with me on all four of our Camino's. We found out pretty quickly in year one that we have significantly different paces, so we walk apart a good portion of each day, but always stay within sight of each other.
Works well and we compare notes at the end of the day the people we met and talked to.
We both want our own solitude at times when walking, so this arrangement works well for us.
 
Hi we just completed our Camino and thought some of our experiences could be helpful.
This is written from the point of view of a 56 year old male and a 59 year old female. We had done some training and I was quite a bit fitter than my wife.
This is my second Camino and with my wife's fitness level I vowed to walk at her level, carry her water and concentrate on helping her when ever she needed it. Some accommodation was booked in large cities this had good and bad effects but more on this later. Our packs were 8kgs for my wife and 9kgs for me (though this became different).
I packed one set of trekking poles and these became invaluable as we used one each and we found them to be essential for certain sections.
We walked the Valcarlos route to break the trip to Roncesvalles into two days. This worked well with a bit of road walking but was worth the ease of the first day and made the next day much easier. The albergue at Valcarlos is good and we were at Roncesvalles before 1 pm so we easily had a bed for the second night.
The next day to Zubiri was the worst, forget the 23kms it is more like 28kms and for many the tiredness after yesterdays climb (from SJPdP to Roncesvalles) caused many problems in the steep and rocky decline at the end. I would advise that either a pack transfer or going to an albergue after Roncesvalles to make the route shorter. If not for the kind deed of a young man taking my wife's pack the last 4kms I don't think she could have made it.
When we reached Pamplona it was obvious she could not walk while carrying her pack for the whole distance each day (I had carried her pack several times and that wasn't sustainable for me). We then arranged pack transfer which is easy to arrange but tied us to a destination (I also took advantage of this so my pack was down to 4-5 kilos and certainly made it easy for me)
So with these changes we set off:
As we walked my wife found it necessary to take some rest days because of injury and tiredness so some sections had to be skipped to stay on schedule (this was the downside of pre booking,the upside was lovely rooms) but the majority was walked even though she had the pain of a bruised heel .
We arrived in Santiago after 38 days together and still talking which is amazing and I was so proud of her !!!
So to sum up pack transfer was great for us.
Planning too much can be a disadvantage you need to be flexible to react to events that will happen
If stoping early 1-2 pm and you are not fussy you will always find beds, you can book ahead easily as you walk either by internet or asking your host that night to ring ahead.
We walked 5th may to 11th June and sometimes it was busy and sometimes not (we like to socialise so not an issue for us). One thing that was very annoying were the bikes on difficult sections, not using their bell and expecting you to get out of their way while you had difficulty enough traversing the terrain. At times there were roads right next to the walking trail and my wife and I both believe they should have been using these.
The last 100kms was interesting as by then we had formed a tribe or family so it was difficult to integrate with the new pilgrims certainly at first but we had expected this so were prepared for this.
Last time I had completed the Pamplona to Burgos route which I now realise was easier compared to some of the other sections of the Frances. We had no blisters between us and were averaging 20kms each day ensuring rest breaks to air our feet and wool socks, we also had one size larger trainers than normal to compensate for the wool socks and allow our feet to expand.
To be honest I had some doubts before we started, was this a good idea , was my first great experience a one off and was I asking too much of my wife.
All I can say is that if anything with my wife beside me it was even better than last time I just wish she didn't have to go though so much while I got off scot free pain wise.
It was great sharing that experience with you both! Ron the retiree.
 
We walked the coastal Camino Portugues to Santiago in May 2016 at ages 73 and 78. As the non-walker of the couple I wondered in the March how we would fare and posted some awful 'failed couple' stories in my blog as amber lights.

https://twowalktosantiago.wordpress.com/2016/03/31/the-two-of-us/

He has done many long walks. Me, I like to read, but the Camino's call was overwhelming. As it happened, there were difficulties of course, but we came through intact as a couple. Injury was his, not mine, much to his annoyance (male pride) and his foot is still troubling him. It was the proudest achievement of my life and the Camino's siren call turned out to be literally my life saver (and another story).
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
My wife walked here Camino's alone and I did it the same way .
She walked here first Camino a few weeks after here sister died.

It was emotionel and mental very hard for here , it took here about 6 months to come over it all.

Wish you all well , Peter .
 

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