Hi oztraveller -
Here are a couple of suggestions to add to the mix of terrific responses you've received so far.
First suggestion ...
As you've got several months before you go, how about checking out your local pilgrim group/camino support group in Adelaide? The meetings give all who attend an opportunity to ask questions, receive GREAT tips on "everything Camino" and are great fun. If you check out the Australian Friends of the Camino website (afotc.org) or email them at
info@afotc.org, they'll be able to give you details of the meetings which I understand are regularly held in the Rosefield Uniting Church Hall in Highgate. I'm a member of Pilgrims in Sydney and our meetings are full of wonderful advice and a huge amount of sharing between new and returned pilgrims plus a ton of laughter. I'm sure the Adelaide peregrinos would be exactly the same!
Second suggestion ...
Bystander, who's been a member of the Camino Forum since 2008, last June shared a list of the distances on the
Camino Frances that he intends to walk next year. You can see from the list that if you follow these distances you'll ease yourself into the first stage of the Camino ... they're very manageable distances.
Here's Bystander's post:
" I have been held back from starting my camino by illness.....,,,,,whilst, now recovering, complications have followed and 2017 will, hopefully, be my camino year.
But for some time my proposed walking schedule for the first ten days, to avoid injury and to build up stamina, has been as below. You will see it is only after Puenta la Reina that I would crank up the daily distances. Also bear in mind I will have no time restrictions.
SJPdP – Valcarlos - 12km
Valcarlos - Roncevalles - 13
Roncevalles – Viskarret, Corazon Puro - 10
Viskarret - Akerreta - 17
Akerreta - Pamplona - 15
Rest day in Pamplona
Pamplona – Zariquiegui - 14
Pamplona – Uterga - 14
Zariquiegui - Puenta la Reina - 16
Puenta la Reina – Estella - 22 "
As you have plenty of time, these distances might work well for you.
One more thing ... buy an Aussie flag cloth badge and also a Camino Forum cloth badge for your pack - they're fantastic conversation openers! Forum members are everywhere, as are us Aussies!!!
Buen Camino oztraveller!
Cheers - Jenny