Introducing myself, planning Frances May-June 2015

[SeaHorse]

Hi, everybody,

I'm not a catholic, not even a christian, I'm hereditary heathen and wasn't looking for el Camino, el Camino found me and I'm going. You have to do what you have to do. As the Codex Callista says pagans, jews and vagabonds may go too.

After long planning period everything seems to be ready for launch on May 2015: vacation days saved, health updated, bag almost packed, etc, etc. Average fitness level including walks, cycling, slacklining, and gym. And hip replacement. Among other irrelevant languages I speak Spanish, English (as seen), some crippled French.

Start in a forgotten kingdom just across France, thats where I live after moved out of the woods. By plane to Biarritz, train to SJPDP and walk to Finisterre/Muxia. My 50th birthday will be on el Camino, initially wanted to celebrate on the place of Roland's battle, but will start earlier, still close enough. The idea is to keep more or less to the guidebook stages plus in biggest cities take a day off for sightseeing (read: blister care). This way I may meet summer Solstice by the ocean. And by plane back.

Found this forum a long time ago and really looking forward to meet you all wonderful people. I'm tall blonde female walking on my own but I'm friendly so hopefully not totally alone all the way.

 

[Mark Lee]

Sounds like you have a good plan there and have done your homework and are ready to go.
Some will probably come on here and go into the pros and cons of doing the "stages" in the guidebook. Whatever. Yada, yada, yada. You got a good plan and stick with it.
Buen Camino.

 

[SeaHorse]

Thanks, Mark. About the "stages" - I'm either flexible or chaotic, but the stages will be very approximate.

 

[jumpingin2014]

I am sure you are going to really enjoy this - you have the right attitude

 

[SYates]

.... The idea is to keep more or less to the guidebook stages plus in biggest cities take a day off for sightseeing ....

...Some will probably come on here and go into the pros and cons of doing the "stages" in the guidebook. Whatever. Yada, yada, yada. ...

That would be me ;-) Sticking to the guidebook stages has a couple of disadvantages: A lot of guidebooks have the same stages, a lot of people stick to them = a lot of people in the same places/overcrowding.
Also, by listening to your body, instead of following what somebody else has written on paper, the risk of 'overdoing it', especially in the beginning is lower. Less blisters and less pain in joints and tendons.
Buen Camino! SY

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome SeaHorse, have a great Camino, enjoy every step.
Buen Camino.

 

[Pilgrim-S-414]

I second @SYates
Liaten to your body, take frequent short breaks, let your feet breathe and practice R. I. C. E. regimen for your feet (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
Buen Camino!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Sticking to the guidebook stages has a couple of disadvantages

Guidebooks and their stops vary a bit, but the variations are limited by the authors trying to find stages that are 20-25 km long, and stopping in the major cities. Once you stop "between guidebook towns," you can stay out of synchronization with the standard suggestions. Of course, then you stop at a memorable city, Burgos for example, and you are back with the crowd! Buen camino.

 

[SeaHorse]

Listen to body - sure, breaks - sure, can't mis cafe con leche or vino tinto, but R.I.C.E.? ok for 3 parts of it, but no ice comes near my feet or any other part of my body. That would be a sure way to stop my Camino altogether or worse. This is how it goes: ice on feet --> infection on glands in throat --> infection in hip replacement --> the end. I can easy stand rain and wind, even snow on bare feet, but no ice. No, no. But then its Spain in spring-summer, I believe there will not be too much unavoidable ice around.

Yes, true, I want to see the memorable cities, not just run through them. Planned +/- an extra day for each. Thats one of the reasons I take my photo camera (yes, I know, it ads to the weight of the pack, but I managed to keep the total including "wear" under 10 kg, heaviest being boots, camera and fleece). Other - want to take pics of animals, not necessary wild ones, pigeons, dogs or cows will do too.

 

[Pilgrim-S-414]

My experience was that feet get warm and swollen during walking and soaking or showering the feet in ice cold water after a day's walk feels great.
But that worked for me, if you have a medical condition that this treatment could cause harm obviously avoid it

 

[SeaHorse]

For my feet vino tinto works great. The traditional way of application by drinking. White vine or any other kind of alcoholic drink doesn't work that way.

 

[karenfromcali]

Hi, everybody,

I'm not a catholic, not even a christian, I'm hereditary heathen and wasn't looking for el Camino, el Camino found me and I'm going. You have to do what you have to do. As the Codex Callista says pagans, jews and vagabonds may go too.

After long planning period everything seems to be ready for launch on May 2015: vacation days saved, health updated, bag almost packed, etc, etc. Average fitness level including walks, cycling, slacklining, and gym. And hip replacement. Among other irrelevant languages I speak Spanish, English (as seen), some crippled French.

Start in a forgotten kingdom just across France, thats where I live after moved out of the woods. By plane to Biarritz, train to SJPDP and walk to Finisterre/Muxia. My 50th birthday will be on el Camino, initially wanted to celebrate on the place of Roland's battle, but will start earlier, still close enough. The idea is to keep more or less to the guidebook stages plus in biggest cities take a day off for sightseeing (read: blister care). This way I may meet summer Solstice by the ocean. And by plane back.

Found this forum a long time ago and really looking forward to meet you all wonderful people. I'm tall blonde female walking on my own but I'm friendly so hopefully not totally alone all the way.

Will also spend my 50th birthday on the camino! And what a wonderful place to be!
Buen Camino

 

[naplesdon]

SeaHorse and Karen, I will be celebrating my 69th birthday early in May on my way from Oloron-Sainte-Marie to Longrono this year. Maybe we can share a cup of vino tinto somewhere on the CF.

 

[SeaHorse]

Great! Three is a company, right? I shall be 50 on 17th May and geographically be around Santo Domingo de Calzada. Possibly a friend will join me on that stretch (arriving on Ascension and staying the weekend at least). I'll have my birthday copa on Pyrenees, Rolands battle site, if possible.

 

[karenfromcali]

Aww..I will be there in a month's time. My birthday is March 21st. But it gives me a good reason to turn around and come right back!! lol. Have a vino for me!

 

[SYates]

... I shall be 50 on 17th May and geographically be around Santo Domingo de Calzada. ...

Then you could celebrate your birthday in Granon - lucky you! Buen Camino! SY

 

[Amandita]

Will also spend my 50th birthday on the camino! And what a wonderful place to be!
Buen Camino

Hello, me to!

 

[Al the optimist]

Have spent the last two birthdays on the Camino, unfortunately I had not discovered the Camino all those years ago when I was merely 50! (x>50)

 

[karenfromcali]

Hello, me to!

Yey! Have a wonderful birthday on the camino! I'm really excited that I'm turning 50 (better over the hill than under the hill!!) And even more excited that I will be on the camino doing it!
Buen Camino

 

[karenfromcali]

Have spent the last two birthdays on the Camino, unfortunately I had not discovered the Camino all those years ago when I was merely 50! (x>50)

Had my birthday on the camino last year too, and thanks to an awesome pilgrim who remembered it was my birthday, and told me about the Parador in Santo Domingo, guess where I had an awesome spoiled, relaxing stay for my last forty something bday?

 

[Robo]

I just realised I too will be on the Camino for my Birthday.

I stopped celebrating birthdays when I reached 40. Don't ask! Some kind of 'fight back' or refusal to acknowledge that I was getting older. Who knows....

I wonder if I'll remember this one? I think I might.

 

[karenfromcali]

I just realised I too will be on the Camino for my Birthday.

I stopped celebrating birthdays when I reached 40. Don't ask! Some kind of 'fight back' or refusal to acknowledge that I was getting older. Who knows....

I wonder if I'll remember this one? I think I might.

Aww..I wanna ask!!!! lol. I actually took my 30th harder than my 40th. Now I just blow out the candles and enjoy the cake!
Happy upcoming birthday and Buen Camino

 

[karenfromcali]

Ugh...speaking of cake! Time to add the pack to my training schedule and based upon last years buckling..it won't close!! By a lot!! When I adjust and tighten I get 3 sets of boobs! Sigh..lol. My family thinks it's hilarious! hmmm..very funny! lol

 

[SeaHorse]

A good 3-tier cake with yellow sea shell on top! Will fill up your backpack and you may earn money betting with people if they can guess whats in your bag.

 

[karenfromcali]

A good 3-tier cake with yellow sea shell on top! Will fill up your backpack and you may earn money betting with people if they can guess whats in your bag.

Mmmm. Tempting! Well it was until I tried to close my pack around my waist anyway!! Lol.

 

[SeaHorse]

The betting and earning scheme doesn't include eating the cake. Well, actually if you eat it, all the fun stops. And then that problem around the waistline. No, beautiful cakes shouldn't be eaten.

 

[karenfromcali]

The betting and earning scheme doesn't include eating the cake. Well, actually if you eat it, all the fun stops. And then that problem around the waistline. No, beautiful cakes shouldn't be eaten.

Aww. So that's where I've been going wrong! Lol

 

[clairw]

Hey, I am also a huge heathen and travelling the Camino Frances for the first time. I've always wanted to do it but never had the balls (so to speak) to actually go for it. I'm starting out around the first week of July, so perhaps I will see you there, I am starting out from St jean port de pied. Good luck ! x

 

[SeaHorse]

Hey, I am also a huge heathen and travelling the Camino Frances for the first time. I've always wanted to do it but never had the balls (so to speak) to actually go for it. I'm starting out around the first week of July, so perhaps I will see you there, I am starting out from St jean port de pied. Good luck ! x

I'll be about a month ahead, with good luck! 13th-14th already in Santiago. Then Finisterre/Muxia and 18th home.
Buen Camino!

 

[Sarah Kember]

Hi, everybody,

I'm not a catholic, not even a christian, I'm hereditary heathen and wasn't looking for el Camino, el Camino found me and I'm going. You have to do what you have to do. As the Codex Callista says pagans, jews and vagabonds may go too.

After long planning period everything seems to be ready for launch on May 2015: vacation days saved, health updated, bag almost packed, etc, etc. Average fitness level including walks, cycling, slacklining, and gym. And hip replacement. Among other irrelevant languages I speak Spanish, English (as seen), some crippled French.

Start in a forgotten kingdom just across France, thats where I live after moved out of the woods. By plane to Biarritz, train to SJPDP and walk to Finisterre/Muxia. My 50th birthday will be on el Camino, initially wanted to celebrate on the place of Roland's battle, but will start earlier, still close enough. The idea is to keep more or less to the guidebook stages plus in biggest cities take a day off for sightseeing (read: blister care). This way I may meet summer Solstice by the ocean. And by plane back.

Found this forum a long time ago and really looking forward to meet you all wonderful people. I'm tall blonde female walking on my own but I'm friendly so hopefully not totally alone all the way.

Hi Seahorse, Hopefully our paths may cross - My husband and I are starting el Camino from SJPdP on 18 May ( I am tall and blond and a year or 2 older than you)! Buen Camino and Happy Birthday.

 

[NualaOC]

Buen Camino @SeaHorse ! The Camino is a wonderful place to celebrate your birthday. My avatar photo was taken on my birthday last year, on the walk to Cruz de Ferro/Acebo. I have very happy memories of that day.