Class of 2015

[William Marques]

The Class of .. threads were started back in when 2007 Arn had the bright idea of creating a topic for all those planning to go in 2008. His post:

It appears from the current number of folks at this thread, that there is a significant number of fellow pilgrims in the mid-to-final stages of the planning for their Camino.
I have also noticed a decidedly large number of folks observing from the fringes.
It's been my observation, that most folks don't "accidentally" come across a site such as this. They have a purpose and, if that purpose is to seek out information, therefore why not declare yourself by joining the site along with we peregrinos...past, present and soon to be. Start your Camino from right there in the comfort of your own home, but start it with the knowledge that there are folks that you want to meet and will want to meet you in return.

The number of folks making their Camino each year is in the thousands, surely there are more of you out there.

Who among you is willing to acknowledge you're a member of the class of 2015?
Buen Camino
Arn

 

[steve hutoron]

M

 

[rglongpre]

My wife and I will be doing the walk from SJPP to Santiago, beginning in August 2015 to kickoff the start of officially being old fogies.

Bon Chemin / Buen Camino

 

[jennyandjon]

Hello
My wife and I are starting to plan our first Camino for October 2015. We are thinking to starting at Leon and taking our time and relaxing through the route. We will both be retired and hope that our Camino will be the start of a long and exciting retirement. I have just started thinking about what we will need, how to train and the million other things that I could plan. I am most encouraged by the advice from many people saying "let each day look after itself-you can't plan for everything".
Thanks to Ivar for this site, I have already spent several hours reading peoples comments and memories.
Buen Camino,
Jon

 

[camino2015]

Hi! I'm from near Boulder, Colorado USA. I plan to start my Camino in 2015. I plan to start the CF in SJPDP and go all the way to at least SdC. My husband doesn't have the time for such a long Camino so he will meet up with me for about the last two weeks. We're still deciding when to start the Camino. We're trying to avoid the hot days of July and August, but the warmer weather of the other months keeps our packs lighter. All the cold weather in May this year has made us rethink starting even in mid May, but perhaps this strange weather won't repeat itself in 2015. I really want to walk the Napoleon route over the Pyrenees, but this is already a lesson learned. Limited planning seems to be the best approach to the Camino.

I read something about the Camino almost a year ago and felt the calling. I felt if would be really neat to do, but not something I would likely ever do in this busy world. However, the calling has persisted and here I am!

Thanks to Ivar and everyone who contributes to this forum. Along with the Brierley bookI have learned so much about the Camino. Now to work on the training. I'm up to about 6.5km but did do a 9.5km walk a few weeks ago.

Buen Camino!

 

[soniaba]

My daughter and I are planning an early September 2015 trek. First read about the Camino about 5 yrs ago, and I heard at first a whisper, now it has grown into a full blown calling! I've been following blogs and taking notes. Not quite sure if I will be booking through an agency which pre-arranges the accommodations or just going with the flow. I guess I have 2 yrs to research into it.

 

[Peregrinandbearit]

I'm hoping to gather a group of folks in central North Carolina, USA to do the Camino, both long and short depending on time/finances, in summer 2015. It will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the short version we took with a church teen group.

Wish I were walking!
Rebekah.

 

[proudpolymath]

I am planning to walk the Camino in spring or summer of 2015.

 

[chillhaze]

Hello. My wife (Susan) and I (Tony) are planning to hike the Camino Francis in April/May of 2015. We are reading up and starting to pull together our hiking kit, based largely on the many posts on this forum.
We live in "northern" California, conveniently located midway between the wackiness of San Francisco and the giant redwood trees of the Yosemite Valley.
We are both runners, completing a couple of marathons and a bunch of half marathons in the last several years. We are now adding distamce hiking, and will probably cut back on the running miles next year after our last scheduled marathon in April.
Neither of us is strongly religious in the church-attending sense, but we both have faith in things spiritual, and look forward to learning more about ourselves and the world through a pilgrim's progress to SdC.
We hope to meet you on the Camino, and till then this forum will do nicely as a meeting place.

Boun camino!

Sent from my BNTV400 using Camino de Santiago Forum mobile app

 

[Aulaph]

My wife and I are planning to walk the Camino in May/June 2015, we are from Sydney and have started preparing for our walk now - we want to ensure that a weakness in our body does not affect the wonder of the Camino. Like others we have started on short walks I did the Sydney City to Surf (only 14kms) and found it a relaxing walk - but we will build up our distances - hope to see you on the trail

Larry and Des
Buon Camino

 

[jnoval]

My son will graduate from high school in May of 2015 so my wife, myself and our boy are planning to do El Camino Primitivo starting in Gijón, and depending on time and finances try to make it to Finisterre. I have most of my kit together and the plan is to outfit my wife and son next. We are all looking forward to it. From Texas to SDC.... Dream come true.

 

[Bala]

My husband and I are planning to walk the Camino Frances SJPDP to SdC either spring or fall of 2015. This will be a first for us. We travel as often as we can, but never backpacking and always with hotel reservations firmly in hand. I love this challenge of heading off on foot, carrying what we need, and having no destination set in stone for the day's end. My preparation began today with a 5-mile walk and I plan to double that in a few weeks.

I first heard of the Camino in 2001, when I read James Michener's "Iberia" in preparation for a driving drip through Spain. But we gave up all idea of walking it ourselves when we visited Santiago and saw all those weary pilgrims trudging into the cathedral. "No way!" I thought.

Hahaha .... famous last words! Can't wait to get started.

Thanks to Ivar and everyone on this site. I just joined yesterday and already I've learned so much.

Buon Camino!
Jean

 

[Caplen]

I walked the Camino Frances from SJPdP to SdC in the fall of 2000.
In summer 2001, I walked from Irun to Santander on the Norte, then Sahagun to Finisterre on the Frances.
Both of these were solo.

I'm planning, perhaps, to walk the Via de la Plata from Sevilla to Finisterre/Muxia in May-July of 2015 with my partner, Carlos. It would be Carlos' first Camino.

We'll see. I have been over the top excited by the idea of returning to the Camino, and sharing the experience with Carlos' first time. So excited, even 18 months in advance, that I jumped head first into planning, and this forum - resources I didn't have the first time around when I had so much to learn, often painfully, from my many mistakes. This in itself may have been a mistake as well.

After the thread this weekend, I'm not sure that I feel all that welcome anymore as a secular/universalist pilgrim.
More contemplation required - perhaps being a member of the Kilimanjaro Class of 2015 would be a better fit. A pilgrimage to the roof of Africa!
After all, in the end, wherever you go, there you are.

Ultreia,
Adrienne

 

[indyrem]

My wife and I are planning to walk the Camino in May/June 2015, we are from Sydney and have started preparing for our walk now - we want to ensure that a weakness in our body does not affect the wonder of the Camino. Like others we have started on short walks I did the Sydney City to Surf (only 14kms) and found it a relaxing walk - but we will build up our distances - hope to see you on the trail

Larry and Des
Buon Camino

I'm planning to walk the Camino Ingles in May, 2015 & this time my husband wants to come. I just did the Frances from SJPP & has been home for 3 months now. Looking forward to this Camino & hoping my experience walking Camino Frances will help me plan my next Camino. This will be a great way for both of us to celebrate birthdays, his 71st & 70th for me.
Remy from Indianapolis

 

[tbJoe]

Hello all! New to the site and my wife and I are planning to walk from SJPP in September/October in 2015. This will be our first Camino.

 

[DeeDum]

My bucket list is always being emptied and refilled. This January I will fulfill a 40 year bucket list dream by going to the Holy Lands. With that dream close to being fullfilled the bucket list was empty but this forum has helped me fill it back up again. I retire in 3 years, just in time for a spring Camino walk. I could wait for the Class of 16 tread but instead I thought I would pop in with y'all! I enjoy reading the threads for this forum. I have been given strength that "can do it", determination "I will do it" and "joy" reading the adventures of all. Can't wait to hear my first "Buen Camino"

Buen Camino y'all
Dee

 

[Tina M.]

My husband and I will be doing the CF from SJPP in September 2015. We live in Florida so mountainous terrain does not exist. In September 2014, we will be exploring Germany, Austria and Switzerland, so we hope to get some mountain hikes in. Otherwise, it's a treadmill set to the highest incline for mountain training.

We are so excited to be reading about everyone's caminos! This has been on my bucket list for a long time but I never thought my husband would want to do it. When I mentioned it to him previously, he would just look at me. Two months ago, my husband felt a calling to the Camino de Santiago. That calling has blossomed into a full blown fire. He will turn 50 while we are on the camino. We are already planning to do it again in 2021 (Holy Year and I turn 50 that year).

I am looking forward to reading everyone's posts knowing that time will go quickly from now until September 2015.

Buen Camino!!
Tina M., A moment ago

 

[Wayne's World]

My wife and I, both converted and practicing Catholics (about 35 years each) are planning an Apr/May 2015 Camino.

We're both retired and just figure to take as much time as it takes, starting from Roncesvalles.

I have a "bit" more camping/hiking experience (since Bonnie has none) but none of that should matter, once we get started.

She's certainly the more chatty and outgoing member of our expedition, and has an innate and special ability to get along with anyone (probably her Irish Mullikin roots).

Yes, like everyone else, we've seen The Way, which got us talking and thinking.

I'm sending her off to Paris for two weeks next Spring with a girlfriend, while I stay home to watch the dogs, cat and ten-year old. I'm not sure what we'll do with the menagerie in 2015, but we'll worry about that later.

In the meantime, we're glad to be here (heck, at our age we're glad to be anywhere) and are interested in reading about others plans, experiences and blogs.

Adios!

 

[Ingles]

Looking forward to the journey. Spent a year Asia. This will be my first trip to Europe. Have hiked a lot in the mountains of Virginia. The idea of a pilgrimage feels right. Peace to all.

 

[livelife]

I am planning on doing Le Puy the summer of 2015!!

 

[Darialee]

I'm planning to walk Apr/May 2015. Hopefully from Lourdes, France. I'm just in the beginning stages of planning.
I was born Catholic but my family left the church when I was 8. I converted to Catholicism this past June, and will make my confirmation on Easter of 2014.
I am SO excited to be planning this trip!

 

[howard v]

My husband and I are planning to walk the Camino Frances SJPDP to SdC either spring or fall of 2015. This will be a first for us. We travel as often as we can, but never backpacking and always with hotel reservations firmly in hand. I love this challenge of heading off on foot, carrying what we need, and having no destination set in stone for the day's end. My preparation began today with a 5-mile walk and I plan to double that in a few weeks.

I first heard of the Camino in 2001, when I read James Michener's "Iberia" in preparation for a driving drip through Spain. But we gave up all idea of walking it ourselves when we visited Santiago and saw all those weary pilgrims trudging into the cathedral. "No way!" I thought.

Hahaha .... famous last words! Can't wait to get started.

Thanks to Ivar and everyone on this site. I just joined yesterday and already I've learned so much.

Buon Camino!
Jean

 

[IdeaGirl]

Hi my name is Marlene and I currently live in Central California. I am planning on walking the Camino Francis (starting in SJPDP) in either April/May 2015 or September/October 2015. My motiviation started with the movie "The Way" and then it became the thinking of undertaking my own spiritual/personal pilgrimage to show my Irritant Asthma that NOTHING can stop me from following my dreams. I am looking forward to learning and sharing all things Camino and maybe even crossing Camino paths!


Marlene

 

[LeeD]

Hi! I'm from near Boulder, Colorado USA. I plan to start my Camino in 2015. I plan to start the CF in SJPDP and go all the way to at least SdC. My husband doesn't have the time for such a long Camino so he will meet up with me for about the last two weeks. We're still deciding when to start the Camino. We're trying to avoid the hot days of July and August, but the warmer weather of the other months keeps our packs lighter. All the cold weather in May this year has made us rethink starting even in mid May, but perhaps this strange weather won't repeat itself in 2015. I really want to walk the Napoleon route over the Pyrenees, but this is already a lesson learned. Limited planning seems to be the best approach to the Camino.

I read something about the Camino almost a year ago and felt the calling. I felt if would be really neat to do, but not something I would likely ever do in this busy world. However, the calling has persisted and here I am!

Thanks to Ivar and everyone who contributes to this forum. Along with the Brierley bookI have learned so much about the Camino. Now to work on the training. I'm up to about 6.5km but did do a 9.5km walk a few weeks ago.

Buen Camino!

 

[LeeD]

Hi,
I am from Seattle. We walked Pamplona to Santiago starting April 28th. The weather in SJDPD was very bad with lots of snow so we started in Pamplona. Most of the walk the weather was cold sometimes too cold, but most of the time perfect walking weather (cool and overcast). The bloom of the wild flowers was simply amazing better than any my daughter who has done the walk twice ever saw. I probably over trained for the walk but still I learned a couple of things. The most important was stop ever 60-90mins take off your shoes/boots and massage your feet, check for blisters. Make reservations ahead so you can arrive at your own pace, many people race to get a room/bed, the walk should not be stressful. We did the walk in 36 walking days we took a day off in Legrono, Burgos and Leon.
I hope you enjoy "the Way" as much as we did.
Lee

 

[LeeD]

I am a member of the class of 2015. I walked the Camino Frances from Pamplona to Finesterre May of 2013. I want to walk from Le Puy to Pamplona May 2015. I do not speak French and am worried about that problem.

 

[AJ]

Maybe Hamburg to SdC, knees and bank balance permitting.

 

[grayland]

I am a member of the class of 2015. I walked the Camino Frances from Pamplona to Finesterre May of 2013. I want to walk from Le Puy to Pamplona May 2015. I do not speak French and am worried about that problem.

I walked the Le Puy in 2012 with no French. I did hook up with a French speaker to book Gites a day ahead. We did not often actually walk together but would make reservations, along with a German girl, the night before. There were very often 3 bed in a room so this worked well.
Other than Gites, it is not bad without French.
The MMDD guide is a needed item for accommodation and food. It is in French but easy to understand.

 

[LeeD]

I walked the Le Puy in 2012 with no French. I did hook up with a French speaker to book Gites a day ahead. We did not often actually walk together but would make reservations, along with a German girl, the night before. There were very often 3 bed in a room so this worked well.
Other than Gites, it is not bad without French.
The MMDD guide is a needed item for accommodation and food. It is in French but easy to understand.

Thanks I will try and learn a little French in the mean time!
LeeD

 

[Perr 1622]

Planning first trek in spring-summer 2015. Just logging in for now, to monitor this forum.

 

[colinPeter]

Planning first trek in spring-summer 2015. Just logging in for now, to monitor this forum.

Hello Perr 1622,
Welcome to the forum.
Happy planning for 2015.
Have you decided on a route?
Buen Camino
Colin

 

[Perr 1622]

Hello Perr 1622,
Welcome to the forum.
Happy planning for 2015.
Have you decided on a route?
Buen Camino
Colin

Hello, Colin . . We have not chosen a route yet, as we are just beginning our planning, and are trying to make sure we can devote 6 weeks for the trip (including travel to/from the US). We will be exploring the site and looking for other resources. We do not know anyone who has made a trek, but are experienced mountain hikers. We look forward to our planning and preparation. Mike

 

[Debby Shaw]

The Class of .. threads were started back in when 2007 Arn had the bright idea of creating a topic for all those planning to go in 2008. His post:

The number of folks making their Camino each year is in the thousands, surely there are more of you out there.

Who among you is willing to acknowledge you're a member of the class of 2015?
Buen Camino
Arn

Hello from Northern British Columbia. I am planning to do a part of the Camino in 2015. I only have 3 weeks of holiday time so the walk will be limited to about 15 days.

 

[Milepost99]

Dunno, maybe it's my OCD but I'm planning to go back and walk the sections I skipped in Sept-Oct of 2013. Should take about 2 weeks; this time I'll know what I'm doing.

 

[Eileen W]

Hello from the Jurassic Coast in East Devon, England. I'm putting my name down for the class of 2015 to give me time to get prepared, although I'd really love to do it sooner if possible.

My inspiration came, as for many others, from the film The Way, which I saw sometime last year. I've had fibromyalgia for many years, which I overcame and held at bay with exercise, but which later was compounded by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. So when I saw the film I felt it wasn't something I could do, although I've always loved walking and wanted to do this. Unfortunately I put my back out severely before christmas, and have been hobbling around with a walking stick since and healing has been very slow. But for some reason I recently remembered the film and suddenly had the calling to go. I've been reading up as much as I could then found this fab site today.

I have absolutely no idea how I think I'm going to walk that far but I've got to do it. It's taken me over and is something I need to do. And the more I read, the more I realise how possible it will be once I get my walking ability back...and meanwhile it's given me the impetus to be able to. I don't even know much about the different routes yet, but I'd prefer to do a route that's less popular and during a less touristy or hot time of the year, so if anyone's got any suggestions I'd be very grateful.

I can't wait to be able to say Buen Camino for real on the way, but until then, Buen Camino to you all.

 

[lrisvold]

Hello all,
I'm planning to walk my first camino (Frances) summer 2015 with hopes of being in Santiago by or before July 25. I'm from Iowa, USA and would like to know if anyone else is looking to go around this time. Would be great to have some amigos before even leaving!

 

[Olx]

Hello from Belgium
I'm preparing to walk next year between Vezelay and Santiago de Compostella (Fisterra if enough time) from begin of april to end of june

 

[HerPilgrimmage]

Hello, I'm from the US (California)

I am intending to walk my first camino in 2015. I am intending to walk the camino in either April/May or May/June with the intention of starting at SJPP.

 

[Zollabills]

I'm from the USA (Georgia) and I am planning on walking the camino de Santiago in September 2015! I will be starting in sjpp and plan on completing my camino in one trip. I'm am open to any advice as this will be my first time in Europe.

Buen camino!

 

[Tia Valeria]

Having had to cancel all our 2014 Camino arrangements today for health reasons we are looking ahead, in faith, to walk in 2015.

 

[Aok]

Hello, plan to walk the Camino in sometime in the May-June timeframe 2015. I looking to build a network of people to share information who are also doing the Camino during the same time.

I first learned of the Camino from the book The Alchemist. Since then I just been driven to do this pilgrimage.

Look forward to new friends and information.

 

[Tink]

Hello
I'm shirley from southern Oregon. I'll be 61 and walking solo from SJPdP and hopefully on to Finisterre / Muxía, in May/June 2015. I was really excited to see this thread come alive this soon. I began walking regularly in August of 2013. I bought a Fitbit and was hooked on the amount of steps/miles I was walking each week. Later I joined a local hiking club through Meet-ups. (A nationwide site where people get together in their local areas for just about anything). On one of my hikes I met a woman who said she was doing the Camino. I didn't have any clue what that was until I googled it that evening. The more I researched it the more I felt the drawl. Now I'm hooked. I'm looking on the forum everyday. I watched "the way", lots of YouTube and am learning a wealth of information on this forum. Thanks to all the pilgrims before me for sharing your experiences. I look forward to getting to know the 2015'ers and meeting up with you all on the Camino

 

[Aok]

My husband and I will be doing the CF from SJPP in September 2015. We live in Florida so mountainous terrain does not exist. In September 2014, we will be exploring Germany, Austria and Switzerland, so we hope to get some mountain hikes in. Otherwise, it's a treadmill set to the highest incline for mountain training.

We are so excited to be reading about everyone's caminos! This has been on my bucket list for a long time but I never thought my husband would want to do it. When I mentioned it to him previously, he would just look at me. Two months ago, my husband felt a calling to the Camino de Santiago. That calling has blossomed into a full blown fire. He will turn 50 while we are on the camino. We are already planning to do it again in 2021 (Holy Year and I turn 50 that year).

I am looking forward to reading everyone's posts knowing that time will go quickly from now until September 2015.

Buen Camino!!
Tina M., A moment ago

I am always amazed to hear how other develops this desire to walk the Camino Del Santiago. I am going through that too. lol! Family thinks it a lil off, but it is such a uncontrollable feeling.
Bueno Camino 2015!

 

[adam sarantis]

hi all, great thread. im from melbourne, australia. leaving here begining may 2015,flying to paris for a night then train down to saint jean for another night and then the walk begins. taking my time as have 6-8 weeks of travel time. hope to meet a few of you along the way.

adam

 

[Aok]

hi all, great thread. im from melbourne, australia. leaving here begining may 2015,flying to paris for a night then train down to saint jean for another night and then the walk begins. taking my time as have 6-8 weeks of travel time. hope to meet a few of you along the way.

adam

I have the same plan. Fly to paris , train to saint jean. We may very well meet along the way.

 

[Marc Allain]

Hello. I am a prospective member of the Class of 2015. My sweetheart walked the Camino two years ago - which is before we met. She's been talking about it since we met and wanting to go back. So I'm planning on going with her. And some day, she will come with me on a pilgrimage to Mount Fuji. And there's some other walks we've talked about.

 

[DurhamParish]

My son will graduate from high school in May of 2015 so my wife, myself and our boy are planning to do El Camino Primitivo starting in Gijón, and depending on time and finances try to make it to Finisterre. I have most of my kit together and the plan is to outfit my wife and son next. We are all looking forward to it. From Texas to SDC.... Dream come true.

My great nephew is graduating from high school next year and I am taking him on the Camino. He is very excited . . . . . as am I.

 

[koilife]

I have three boys, and a Camino trip with me has become a right of passage on the summer of their 15th birthday. My middle son and I will walk in 2015. He wants to do the same route as his older brother, so it will be Camino Frances again.

I hold out hope that my youngest son (2018) wants to break pattern and go a different way.

 

[TruCarMa]

Hello, all! My name is Carole and I'm a 44 year old mom of two boys from Oklahoma. My husband, Sean, and I are planning to walk the Camino from SJPP to hopefully Finisterre in Sept/Oct of 2015. I have heard about the Camino for several years, but never really thought of it beyond finding it interesting. This past year has been a tough one for us, after having been together for 25+ years. Then, recently I watched an interview in which Shirley MacLaine discussed her Camino with Oprah, and I became intrigued. I'd had 'The Way' in my Netflix queue for months, and finally watched it with Sean on a lazy Sunday. Since then, we've been reading Camino memoirs and the thought of walking this together has given us a common goal and something to look forward to. That, in itself, has been a blessing. I hope for many more as we train for and take this journey together. I'm thrilled to discover this resource as I know I have much to learn over the next 17 months!

 

[mspath]

TruCarMa,

Welcome to the Forum!

You will find much information here to help you plan your Camino. Past pilgrims who are Forum members are always eager to share their experiences and advice.

A great place to begin your research in the FAQ topic. This provides a handy overview of the questions asked most frequently by others. Another VERY popular Forum topic is Equipment. You will find a varied range of suggestions on what to carry or not in your kit.

Whatever choices you make it is most important that you walk and train before you set out on the camino. Scan this list of camino threads tagged with 'training' to read how some other members approach their preparation.

Happy research and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[TruCarMa]

Thank you for the warm welcome, Margaret! I'm off to wander around your recommended links...

 

[rglongpre]

A change in plans we will begin at SJPP August, 2015 to celebrate our 44th anniversary and when both of us have entered into the 65 years of age category. No plans for 2014 other than to enjoy walking and walking and walking.

 

[rglongpre]

My daughter and I are planning an early September 2015 trek. First read about the Camino about 5 yrs ago, and I heard at first a whisper, now it has grown into a full blown calling! I've been following blogs and taking notes. Not quite sure if I will be booking through an agency which pre-arranges the accommodations or just going with the flow. I guess I have 2 yrs to research into it.

I look forward to seeing you and your daughter as we are starting almost at the same time.

Bon Chemin / Buen Camino!

 

[rglongpre]

Hello all! New to the site and my wife and I are planning to walk from SJPP in September/October in 2015. This will be our first Camino.

Hi Joe, we are walking the Camino at the same time. I hope we meet up.

Buen Camino!

 

[rglongpre]

My husband and I will be doing the CF from SJPP in September 2015. We live in Florida so mountainous terrain does not exist. In September 2014, we will be exploring Germany, Austria and Switzerland, so we hope to get some mountain hikes in. Otherwise, it's a treadmill set to the highest incline for mountain training.

We are so excited to be reading about everyone's caminos! This has been on my bucket list for a long time but I never thought my husband would want to do it. When I mentioned it to him previously, he would just look at me. Two months ago, my husband felt a calling to the Camino de Santiago. That calling has blossomed into a full blown fire. He will turn 50 while we are on the camino. We are already planning to do it again in 2021 (Holy Year and I turn 50 that year).

I am looking forward to reading everyone's posts knowing that time will go quickly from now until September 2015.

Buen Camino!!
Tina M., A moment ago

Hi Tina, we look forward to hopefully bumping into the two of you as we are going to be walking at the same time.

Buen Camino

 

[rglongpre]

Hello, all! My name is Carole and I'm a 44 year old mom of two boys from Oklahoma. My husband, Sean, and I are planning to walk the Camino from SJPP to hopefully Finisterre in Sept/Oct of 2015. I have heard about the Camino for several years, but never really thought of it beyond finding it interesting. This past year has been a tough one for us, after having been together for 25+ years. Then, recently I watched an interview in which Shirley MacLaine discussed her Camino with Oprah, and I became intrigued. I'd had 'The Way' in my Netflix queue for months, and finally watched it with Sean on a lazy Sunday. Since then, we've been reading Camino memoirs and the thought of walking this together has given us a common goal and something to look forward to. That, in itself, has been a blessing. I hope for many more as we train for and take this journey together. I'm thrilled to discover this resource as I know I have much to learn over the next 17 months!

Hi Carole, my wife and I will be making the trek at the same time. Perhaps the gods will provide us the opportunity meet up.

Buen Camino!

 

[rlang290]

Hi Everyone!

My wife Michele and I are planning to walk the CF in 2015 as well!
Our plan is to start in early March and walk from Leon. We'd love to walk the whole Camino but our work schedules make it impossible for now (only 10 more years until retirement!). We're a little concerned about the weather but since we're from Vancouver, B.C. we're used to the rain!
We love the forum and have found it to be an invaluable resource in planning our trip. We recently attended a local Camino meeting as well.

Buen Camino Everybody!

Ron

 

[neverlost4good]

The Class of .. threads were started back in when 2007 Arn had the bright idea of creating a topic for all those planning to go in 2008. His post:


The number of folks making their Camino each year is in the thousands, surely there are more of you out there.

Who among you is willing to acknowledge you're a member of the class of 2015?
Buen Camino
Arn

I will be going in May 2015

 

[neverlost4good]

Hi! I'm from near Boulder, Colorado USA. I plan to start my Camino in 2015. I plan to start the CF in SJPDP and go all the way to at least SdC. My husband doesn't have the time for such a long Camino so he will meet up with me for about the last two weeks. We're still deciding when to start the Camino. We're trying to avoid the hot days of July and August, but the warmer weather of the other months keeps our packs lighter. All the cold weather in May this year has made us rethink starting even in mid May, but perhaps this strange weather won't repeat itself in 2015. I really want to walk the Napoleon route over the Pyrenees, but this is already a lesson learned. Limited planning seems to be the best approach to the Camino.

I read something about the Camino almost a year ago and felt the calling. I felt if would be really neat to do, but not something I would likely ever do in this busy world. However, the calling has persisted and here I am!

Thanks to Ivar and everyone who contributes to this forum. Along with the Brierley bookI have learned so much about the Camino. Now to work on the training. I'm up to about 6.5km but did do a 9.5km walk a few weeks ago.

Buen Camino!

I plan on starting May 1st, 2015. I want to walk the Napoleon route as well. I guess we just try, right? If it is too foggy, I might have to come back at a later date and walk it. I just joined a local hiking group to practice the trails in Virginia (Shanandoah Valley area). I hope to see you enroute! Buen Camino!

 

[Wardog5425]

I am looking at late April or early May 2015 of doing my Camino France. I will fly into Scotland drop of the BIG BAG lol at my sisters in Ayr then head out after a day or two. I am looking at using the train from Scotland to SJPDP, and perhaps flying back from Santiago after hopefully visiting with Spanish nieces and nephew

Question 1: (this would be for UK Pilgrims) can I get a train from say Glasgow Scotland through to SJPDP or would I have to switch back and forth through various providers?. I don't have any time constraints hence the train, plus I like train travel lol.

Question 2: what would be the earliest that I could leave SJPDP and go through

 

[Katycamino]

Hello there...

Re your first question, take a look at the website Seat61.com as it is a great source of info on trains across Europe. However it is a LONG trip from Ayr to St Jean! You have lots of options of part train part flight also.

For info, you can fly to Biarritz from Glasgow via Dublin with Aer Lingus or from Edinburgh direct to Santander with Ryanair.

Good luck with your planning, the anticipation is part of the journey too!

Katy

 

[Wardog5425]

Hello there...

Hi Katy, many thanks for your answer lol, I was in the middle of typing my post when I thought it had disappeared (deleted) so I was not expecting any answer.

Good place to start looking though. I'm not concerned about the length of the train trip at the moment maybe later if it comes down to $$$$$$$$ I actually hate all the C**P involved with airports so if it means a longer journey to negate that sort of thing then great lol. Plus I like the views from the train windows.

I am thinking of returning to Scotland at the end by flying though at had a quick look at my options there online.

David

Re your first question, take a look at the website Seat61.com as it is a great source of info on trains across Europe. However it is a LONG trip from Ayr to St Jean! You have lots of options of part train part flight also.

For info, you can fly to Biarritz from Glasgow via Dublin with Aer Lingus or from Edinburgh direct to Santander with Ryanair.

Good luck with your planning, the anticipation is part of the journey too!

Katy

Hi

 

[eileish]

Hola, my name is Eileish and I am from Hamilton, New Zealand. I am in my last year at school and I am hoping to do el camino in 2015. I'm not too sure what month I do it in, either Feb, March, April or May, it just depends on how much money I can earn beforehand I am looking to visit my family in England for Christams and earn some money in December, January, February for the trip, and then somehow catch a train from England to SJPDP. I am hoping to do el camino Frances, from SJPDP to Santiago de Compostela anywhere between 4-6 weeks. Buen camino

 

[frasert]

Hi all
Looking at cycling Pamplona or Burgos to Finnestere in April/ May 2015.
Walked St Jean to Burgos last year at the same time and loved every minute and of course planned to return and complete my journey from Burgos by foot.
However finding the time needed has been difficult and I have always love mountain biking so the compromise is to cycle.
One thing I really loved is the Camino family I found even in the two short weeks last year and I wonder if as a solo cyclist this will be the same. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks in advance Fraser

 

[Paul van Gool]

Hi, my partner and I are planning to walk from SJPP to Santiago in spring 2015, most probably May / June.
We are from The Netherlands and in our mid 50's. We are now in our planning phase.

 

[AnnaG]

The Class of .. threads were started back in when 2007 Arn had the bright idea of creating a topic for all those planning to go in 2008. His post:



The number of folks making their Camino each year is in the thousands, surely there are more of you out there.

Who among you is willing to acknowledge you're a member of the class of 2015?
Buen Camino
Arn

I'm grabbing my twin nieces who will have just turned 13 in May of 2015, and we're headed on a Camino. We are beginning the planning stages now. We have to first select our 100km route. Going right after school ends in mid-June of 2015, I would guess.

More info...I currently live in Seattle. They live in Chicago. Planning will be challenging! I gave them REI memberships for their 12th birthday 10 days ago.

Suggestions on which route/starting where are welcomed and much appreciated! We will do the traditional 100km to start our first Camino together.

Really looking forward to it!

Anna Em

 

[AnnaG]

Hi,
I am from Seattle. We walked Pamplona to Santiago starting April 28th. The weather in SJDPD was very bad with lots of snow so we started in Pamplona. Most of the walk the weather was cold sometimes too cold, but most of the time perfect walking weather (cool and overcast). The bloom of the wild flowers was simply amazing better than any my daughter who has done the walk twice ever saw. I probably over trained for the walk but still I learned a couple of things. The most important was stop ever 60-90mins take off your shoes/boots and massage your feet, check for blisters. Make reservations ahead so you can arrive at your own pace, many people race to get a room/bed, the walk should not be stressful. We did the walk in 36 walking days we took a day off in Legrono, Burgos and Leon.
I hope you enjoy "the Way" as much as we did.
Lee

Hello Lee: I'm in Seattle, too. Walked Porto-Santiago last Fall. Was beautiful! Taking my twin nieces in 2015 on an undecided route. I was thinking Spring would be the prettiest time because of flowers, but they only have the one week of Spring break so not very doable, adding in travel time. Probably will go right after they get out of school in mid-June. I'm so concerned about it being too hot and also missing so much beauty! Darn school!

Glad you enjoyed your time on the Camino. It's life-changing, yes?

~Anna Em

 

[AnnaG]

I'm planning to walk the Camino Ingles in May, 2015 & this time my husband wants to come. I just did the Frances from SJPP & has been home for 3 months now. Looking forward to this Camino & hoping my experience walking Camino Frances will help me plan my next Camino. This will be a great way for both of us to celebrate birthdays, his 71st & 70th for me.
Remy from Indianapolis

Hi! I'm originally from Indianapolis...thought I would say "hello" to a fellow Hoosier. I'm currently settled in Seattle and still have family in the Midwest.

Buen Camino!!

~Anna Em

 

[indyrem]

Hi! I'm originally from Indianapolis...thought I would say "hello" to a fellow Hoosier. I'm currently settled in Seattle and still have family in the Midwest.

Buen Camino!!

~Anna Em

Hola Anna,
I still get excited to read posts from fellow Hoosiers especially those from Indianapolis. What side of Indy did you come from? I live on Oxford behind Glendale. A couple of pilgrims just started the Hoosier chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) & tomorrow we will walk the Broad Ripple canal to Butler then back. Of course that's nothing compared to walking from SJPP to Santiago but it's a good start. It's been cold (40's) & raining all week here so it's fine with me walking that short distance.
Buen Camino!!
Remy

 

[AnnaG]

Hi again, Remy. Or should I write, "Howdy, Neighbor?!"

I grew up in Washington & Pike Townships - on the NW side of Indy. Attended Pike High School, then moved and graduated from Columbus North HS. Used to hang in Broad Ripple at the Vogue as a 20-something! Got my degree at IU in Bloomington. Moved to LA in 1988 then here (Seattle area) in 1993.

I think your walk sounds perfect! It's exactly what I did to train for my Portuguese Camino last fall. I just started walking everywhere. And with a pack. We have lots of hiking here, lots of paved trails (Rails to Trails), and lots of soft trails - all great for walking. Thing is, everything's a hill here. There's nothing flat for long!

I hope the weather in Indy improves for you soon. 40s and cold ain't fun! I think it's great you're returning for another Camino. One day I plan to walk SJPP-Santiago, perhaps in 2016.

I'd love to learn more about the APOC/Hoosier chapter. Sounds interesting.

Bom Caminho!

~Anna

 

[Tia Valeria]

Having had to cancel all our 2014 Camino arrangements today for health reasons we are looking ahead, in faith, to walk in 2015.

We are looking to 2015 and debating where we should walk. Stay with this year's plan for Camino del Mar and Camino Inglés, or walk parts of the Camino del Mar with San Andrés de Teixido as our aim, then take a bus and walk the Primitivo from Fonsagrada. This might finish up as alast minute decision, but meanwhile we can make plans and keep in training.

 

[WildPlace]

Hi Pilgrims old and new, i'm adding myself to the class of 2015, intending to walk from Le Puy to Santiago starting at the beginning of September 2015. By then it will be my third camino

 

[Breugel]

Bonjour à tous ! I am planning to join the camino in 2015 too. Either may or September from SJPP to Santiago.
Bonne préparation à tous.

 

[mahlai]

The Class of .. threads were started back in when 2007 Arn had the bright idea of creating a topic for all those planning to go in 2008. His post:



The number of folks making their Camino each year is in the thousands, surely there are more of you out there.

Who among you is willing to acknowledge you're a member of the class of 2015?
Buen Camino
Arn

My friend and I are planning to travel in 2015. She will walk, and I will ride my recumbent trike. We are considering going in April and May. Our plan is to fly to and from Madrid together then divide up and meet again in Santiago to fly home. The other choice is flying to Pamplona and home from Santiago.

I am just now discovering there are two kinds of albergues. I am disabled and need to rest often so I am trying to arrange that. I was worried about having to wait until 8pm to find a bed.

Marian

 

[Rich Jones]

Hi to all you eager caminoists!!

I walked my first Camino, from SJPDP to Santiago in July/August 2013, and plan to return to Northern Spain twice next year, 2015.

The first time will be to take a group of 12 sixth formers from Astorga to Santiago over 11 days in late June/early July. I work at a catholic school in Portsmouth, UK, and this will be an opportunity for some of our kids to mark the end of their school life with a truly magical and life-affirming experience. Excitement is building already, with 12 months to go!

I'll then return at the end of July to complete the Camino del Norte from Arun, hopefully ending by making it to Finisterre as I missed the opportunity during my first camino, with a couple of the fine people I met while walking from SJPDP in 2013.

One year out from my return to The Way, and it's already invading my thoughts on a daily basis.

To all of you who are preparing to embark on your own Camino, embrace every moment. Cherish the time it offers for reflection, and the opportunity to meet so many fine and wonderful people. It will be an experience which will leave an indelible mark upon your very being!

 

[karidadpoethig]

I'm planning to walk the Camino late May-June next year after I've graded all those final papers. Was thinking of walking the Frances, but my partner and I avoided it two years ago because it sounded like a freeway. We also only had 2 weeks. We took a week of the Norte. At Ribadeo, we took the FEVE train to Ferrol and walked the Ingles in the rain. We took a slower pace. Rarely saw peregrines along the route, though caught up to them in the albergues. I'm glad we'd walked the gorgeous Norte first.

Was thinking of the Frances, seems like a rite of passage, but it sounds so stressful. I think I might go back and walk from Bilbao to the Primitivo to Santiago. Have a year to decide. But I know I have to get in shape to walk 24km a day!

More of a reader than a walker so last year, I trekked to the Annapurna Sanctuary Basecamp in Nepal to keep moving.
Looking forward to a buen camino. A pilgrim's way.

 

[Rich Jones]

Hi, having walked the camino Frances last summer from 21st July through to 24th august I never felt like it was too busy. Sure, there were a lot of people, and albergues could be crowded, but I personally enjoyed meeting such a fabulous variety of people from all around the world. I still managed to find times for reflection and quiet when I needed them. And I met some people who I now consider very good friends!

The last week or so was busy as a lot of pilgrims joined in the later stages, including a friend who joined me and my recently formed camino fellowship in villafranca. we actually joined up with three spaniards for the last week or so and their presence increased our numbers, lifted our spirits and added immeasurably to the whole experience.

What I found, was that while we walked and travelled together, in many ways it was still a decisively personal journey, but with the added bonus of sharing some profound moments and experiences with newly met, wonderful people.

Whenever I wanted to be alone with my thoughts I'd stride off or hang back, allow people to pass and find the space I craved.

For me, the business of the Frances was no hindrance, in fact it added pleasures. I guess it's down to what you're searching for, your reason to be treading the path.

The Frances is a fabulous path. Whether better or worse than other routes it's impossible for me to say, but it's certainly one worth taking, in my humble opinion.

I hope your next camino is special and spectacular, as I hope mine will be!

 

[SheSeeksTheWay]

The Class of .. threads were started back in when 2007 Arn had the bright idea of creating a topic for all those planning to go in 2008. His post:



The number of folks making their Camino each year is in the thousands, surely there are more of you out there.

Who among you is willing to acknowledge you're a member of the class of 2015?
Buen Camino
Arn

Hi all,

I introduced myself in another thread and offered up my possibly being on the Camino Frances in the autumn of 2015 or more likely the spring of 2016.

Because I'm not sure I'll make the walk by 2015, I think I should post to the Class of 2016 thread, but I couldn't find one using the search engine. Does this exist yet? Anyone else possibly going in 2016?

-e

 

[Frlss]

Greetings All!

I am walking mid April to mid May 2015 starting in SJPP. I am very excited, yet nervous, about my first solo adventure overseas. Looking forward to gleaning lots of information and tips from this forum. Tentative date is 14 April.

 

[travelbug97]

Hello! I plan to walk El Camino Frances in June of 2015, starting in SJPdP, right after I graduate from high school. I first heard about the Camino two years ago, and I just knew that I had to do it. I am new to this forum, but I've been doing a lot of research, and I've already learned a lot! I am so thrilled to be a part of this journey.
Buen Camino!

 

[Mark Greenwood]

Greetings All!

I am walking mid April to mid May 2015 starting in SJPP. I am very excited, yet nervous, about my first solo adventure overseas. Looking forward to gleaning lots of information and tips from this forum.

Hi Friss i'm hoping to start on 1st April 2015....hope this date isn't inauspicious! Good luck and Bon Camino!

 

[Kimmzie]

Hi... I am walking the camino... Starting in SJP... Solo... June 2015. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time.. I have purchased a lot of reading material about the camino. Reading a little about its history and also getting ready for the hike.

 

[AnnijaEglite]

Hi all fellow travellers, class of 2015 I am embarking on a mission of walking Camino in summer of 2015, but I don't know which path should I take , it's going to be my first time, and the excitement is slowly growing inside me, I know it's 12 months to go, but past Month I have read so many blogs and articles, that I would go any minute now , for does who are travelling this summer/autumn good luck I am just in waiting list for the moment.

 

[Thomas Sheldon]

I am planning a solo CF beginning in September 2015.

Will likely fly into Madrid, bus or train to Pamplona and on to SJPP.

Will be 70 then, retired, I live in the USA Pacfic Northwest, Olympic Peninsula along Hood Canal.

Hoping for a stressful, mellow 40 day (or thereabouts) trip, starting slow and multiple rest days.

Plan on mostly albergues and good food.

See my separate post seeking fellow travelers for that time frame and plan.

Anyone in my area, please contact me.

I have access to a beautiful timber property with miles of logging roads, perfect for CF training.

Hope to meet many of you on the CF

 

[smj6]

Hoping to walk the Camino Frances in September 2015, which is the month after I retire. S

 

[cathyanderson63]

My husband and I plan to walk August -September - October 2015. We are planning 6 weeks. (Starting in SJPP)
** any feedback on the best 'typical' weather time to start?
** nit being the most athletic person, any suggestions on when and how to best train for this?
Any feedback would be appreciated!!! Thanks.

My 22 year old just finished and returned with a severe knee issue. Had the MRI, she's on crutches and with begin PT soon. She still had a wonderful time but has not processed it all so I haven't heard much yet. End of her trip, she was robbed in Madrid. This has not jaded her ... She just realizes she needs to be more observant!


• Buen Camino
Cathy

Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum

 

[Kate D-Don]

Hi There,
I'm an Australian looking to walk late April through to May 2015. I've only just begun researching so there is a lot more to do before I go! Looking forward to reading more about it...
It will be a solo trip for me but I've heard it is quiet safe to do....so I'm jumping in!

Kate

 

[danny doyle]

Hello Kate. I am planning my trip in 2015 as well. Just doing research and was thinking of starting on September 1.

 

[Kate D-Don]

Hi Danny,
September is a little late for me - I'll be over in Scotland in April so thought I'd take the opportunity to pop over and do this as well! Although I think I'll only have about 3 weeks so trying to work out my start point.
How long are you planning for your trip to take?
Kate

 

[rglongpre]

My husband and I plan to walk August -September - October 2015. We are planning 6 weeks. (Starting in SJPP)
** any feedback on the best 'typical' weather time to start?
** nit being the most athletic person, any suggestions on when and how to best train for this?
Any feedback would be appreciated!!! Thanks.

My 22 year old just finished and returned with a severe knee issue. Had the MRI, she's on crutches and with begin PT soon. She still had a wonderful time but has not processed it all so I haven't heard much yet. End of her trip, she was robbed in Madrid. This has not jaded her ... She just realizes she needs to be more observant!


• Buen Camino
Cathy

Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum

Hi Cathy. My wife and I are also walking beginning the last week of August, 2015. We will be doing it "slow" between five and six weeks from SJPP to Finisterre. It is how we ate celebrating our 44th anniversary and her 65th birthday which will happen during our walk. Maybe we'll bump into you guys.

 

[peterjday]

The Class of .. threads were started back in when 2007 Arn had the bright idea of creating a topic for all those planning to go in 2008. His post:



The number of folks making their Camino each year is in the thousands, surely there are more of you out there.

Who among you is willing to acknowledge you're a member of the class of 2015?
Buen Camino
Arn

My wife and I are planning a very slow walk in September/October 2015.
We have walked 4 days from NSW Central Coast (2013) to the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Then 4 days from Cronulla to the Sydney Harbour Bridge (2014) as a bit of a taster.
Pete

 

[danny doyle]

I am also planning my trip for september-october starting in sjpdp. Hope to start around september 3. I hope to be in santiago on my 65 birthday ( october 11)

 

[Andrea Mayfield]

I will be walking from St Jean Port de Pied to Santiago in May/June/July, 2015. Have been contemplating this journey for several years. Have started collecting information, advice and equipment through the amazing generocity of the experienced pilgrims found here. I will be 65 this fall and will celebrate for the entire year following I have begun walking/hiking to prepare. I'm pretty sure it will be the highlight of my wonderful life!!

Buen Camino!

 

[Kate D-Don]

Hi Andrea,
I'm looking at travelling around the same time as you, but I'm still working out my start!

 

[danny doyle]

Kate I will be 65 on October 11 2015
I want to complete my journey to celebrate my 65th in Santiago
I leave from sjpdp in September

 

[Andrea Mayfield]

Hi Andrea,
I'm looking at travelling around the same time as you, but I'm still working out my start!

Me too -- I'm pretty sure I'll depart from SJPdP, just not sure of date yet.

 

[Rachael]

I WAS planning on my second attempt this year (2014), but decided on September 2015, starting from Vezelay.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

starting from Vezelay.

A great route. Try to find an old(er) copy of the out-of-print guide. It will be better than nothing, and has the phone numbers of some great hosts.

 

[Rachael]

I have a copy from the last year it was printed, thank goodness! I've also been looking at the regional websites, and doing some catching up on my rusty French.

 

[cbirgit1331]

Me and my friend planning on walking September 2015 and October about 21 days. Any suggestion where we should start ? We think we can walk 15 to 17 miles a day. Anybody knows how the weather is at that time and are they many people walking? Thank you for anybody that can give me some advice.