SURREY pilgrims, Woking, Guildford etc

[gregdedman]

Hi there all,

Im Greg and have recently completed my second Camino and have settled back here in Surrey.
The problem with returning to your native country, I find, is losing physical contact with those friends you made along the way and keeping those feelings of camaraderie, support, encouragement and being a part of something bigger becomes a little more challenging.

Im just putting the word out there to see if anyone in my area has walked the camino, any camino or indeed who are wanting to do so at some point.
If there is some interest maybe we can organise a get together, I know that the hollywood camino film 'The Way' is released next month so maybe an evening of vino tinto, tapas and a movie theatre could be on the cards?

Just pilgrims, being pilgrims for the evening.

Let me know if anyone is interested.

 

[sutike]

Hi Greg,

This is Eva from Sanderstead. I'm ready to set off on the 11th of May from SJPP to Santiago de Compostella. I'm hoping to complete this walk within four weeks.
I've got almost everything for the trip only the rucksack I couldn't decide yet, what size to buy. I would love to hear your advise on questions like do I need to book accommodation in advance as this time of the year I guess refugios are very busy, is it advisable to buy my pilgrim passport here in London or can get hold of one when I arrive on the 11th of May in SJPP which is on saturday and I wonder if the office is open at weekends...

Your advise will be appreciated! Eva

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hi Greg

Funnily enough the last few days I've been walking down your way - th eother day I walked from Guildford to West Byfleet along the river. The next day I walked from Guildford - Dorking along the pIlgrim Way onto the North Downs Way - the views were stunning.

Hi Eva

Your questions:

I've got almost everything for the trip only the rucksack I couldn't decide yet, what size to buy.
The answer is the smaller the better - i.e. the less stuff you take in your pack the easier the walking will be. There are other threads on this board where people recommend particular rucksacks

do I need to book accommodation in advance as this time of the year I guess refugios are very busy
If you are going to sleep in albergues and you are starting on 11th May - I think you will be fine. You are walking before the peack of the season in August - when even then people find beds. If you are worried when you start walking you can always book in advance then. Take an up to to date guidebook - I'd recommend the CSJ guide: http://www.csj.org.uk/acatalog/The_CSJ_ ... in_23.html

is it advisable to buy my pilgrim passport here in London or can get hold of one when I arrive on the 11th of May in SJPP which is on saturday and I wonder if the office is open at weekends...

There is no need to get a pilgrim passport before you arrive in StJdPP - the pilgrim office there is open at weekends and they will give you one.

Buen Camino

John

 

[gregdedman]

Hi Johnnie,

Oh you should have said earlier! I live in Send, the canal is just a stones throw from the canal.

Eva, what Johnnie said

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Greg

I'm walking the Camino Ingles with a friend from 5th May before I head down to Valencia. The two Surry walks are ideal for him to do with a full rucksack so now I've scouted them out I'll be back down there before I go....come for a walk!

John

 

[andy.d]

I'll be walking as much of the Pilgrims Way from Winchester to Canterbury as possible in a week from 8th May (two of us, camping) so we'll be coming through Surrey then

Andy

 

[gregdedman]

Johnnie,

Perfect, count me in...plus 1.
Keep me posted.

 

[sutike]

Hi John,

thank you for your kind respond to my questions. Eva

Hi Greg

Funnily enough the last few days I've been walking down your way - th eother day I walked from Guildford to West Byfleet along the river. The next day I walked from Guildford - Dorking along the pIlgrim Way onto the North Downs Way - the views were stunning.

Hi Eva

Your questions:

I've got almost everything for the trip only the rucksack I couldn't decide yet, what size to buy.
The answer is the smaller the better - i.e. the less stuff you take in your pack the easier the walking will be. There are other threads on this board where people recommend particular rucksacks

do I need to book accommodation in advance as this time of the year I guess refugios are very busy
If you are going to sleep in albergues and you are starting on 11th May - I think you will be fine. You are walking before the peack of the season in August - when even then people find beds. If you are worried when you start walking you can always book in advance then. Take an up to to date guidebook - I'd recommend the CSJ guide: http://www.csj.org.uk/acatalog/The_CSJ_ ... in_23.html

is it advisable to buy my pilgrim passport here in London or can get hold of one when I arrive on the 11th of May in SJPP which is on saturday and I wonder if the office is open at weekends...

There is no need to get a pilgrim passport before you arrive in StJdPP - the pilgrim office there is open at weekends and they will give you one.

Buen Camino

John