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Starting the Camino again for my 70th ! Any tips?

marigold

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
(2009) Sarria - Santiago; (2011) SJPP - Navarette; (2012) Logrono - Santiago;( 2013) Leon - Santiago - Finesterre
Hallo all,
I'm starting the Camino Frances again after a gap of 6 years! It will be my 70th this year, so I'm giving it a go.
Have you got any tips for me? Things have changed since I last went - people seem to pre book. I have booked my flights but I can't seem to find anywhere to stay in SJJP! I have tried quite a few albergues and they are all full. I would consider a private room but it would have to be budget. I'm going at the end of August and I thought that would be a good time as I did the Ingles at that time last year and hardly saw a soul!
I'm getting scared now that I'll be sleeping out!
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Hi Marigold,
I walked it last year in peak time and rarely pre booked. Surprised SJPdP is booked out. I just turned up on the day and got accommodation. Stayed Beilari. I live in London too and happy to meet up for a coffee and share info.
 
Tips? No. Admiration, yes. Also, envy. Wait and see. From the other side, i.e. hospitalera, I doubt you will be left on the side of the road... Hope you have a great Camino!
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
I took my Dad on a long walk for his 75th, we slept under bridges and railway huts that were too short, he loved it, but I couldn't pry him outta NZ to do the Camino as he thought he would slow us down, he loved the postcards we would send him home and would keep a track of our progress on his old atlas. We met an 82 year old kiwi on the French route once, he out walked most of the rest of us. Have a great trip.
 
Take twice as long for the first week! It hasn't gotten any easier in the last six years. On the Camino Ingles, you are always "almost there." On the Camino Frances you will be a good four weeks from being "almost there." July will set a record for pilgrims, and September probably will do so as well. The Pilgrim Office in SJPdP can always find you a bed, so if you cannot reserve one, just go see them. In September the last stretches will be at capacity, so be prepared for that. Buen camino.
 
My wife and I did our first two Caminos in 2014 and 2016 at ages 70 and 72. In 2014 we stayed 5 nights at Seminario Menor, we loved it. In 2016 we arrived too late in the afternoon to get into the seminary, so we stayed the first night in Santo Santiago albergue on Rua do Valino, then got into Seminario Menor for the next 3 nights. We did not do any advanced reservations.

Buen Camino,
Jim from Boston
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Just remember that you are now a few years older! We met two guys who returned every few years to walk their next stages of the Camino Frances. Their comment was that after a three year gap they didn't quite have the same energy they'd had three years before.
Like them, you will have the benefit of previous Camino experience but just respect your body. I'm sure you'll be fine, Buen Camino and ENJOY!
 
Congratulations Marigold!
I too am 70 this year and I'm also going to celebrate with a long walk but I'm going to do the Via Francigena, I start at the end of August as well so I will think of you as I walk. It's a long time since I did the Frances so I can't give any advice but I do know that it takes a bit longer to recover each day! You at least will have company :)
don't forget to book at Orisson, other than that the camino provides.
Buen camino,
Sue
 
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  1. I keep meeting people in their 80s doing "tougher" Caminos, so you will be one of the youngsters out there. If the bedrace makes you nervous, just book ahead in the evening. As for the first night, push comes to shive, the Pilgrim Office will help, but I understand prefering knowing where you will spend your first night.
 
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Thanks for your replies everyone! Actually I have decided to do it in stages over the year. First stage will be as far as Logrono, so not too far! I'm also going to take it easy - I've already done the Camino the 'hard' way, ie. walking every step and carrying my pack, but this time I'm going to get my pack sent on some of the time.
Does anyone know if Jacotrans still operates in the same way - you just leave money in an envelope on your bag? Last year on the Ingles I used Mi Mochilla which was great. But they needed to know exactly where I would stay and I paid a price up front. I don't know where I will stay each night now.
Thanks for your support!
 
Congratulations Marigold!
I too am 70 this year and I'm also going to celebrate with a long walk but I'm going to do the Via Francigena, I start at the end of August as well so I will think of you as I walk. It's a long time since I did the Frances so I can't give any advice but I do know that it takes a bit longer to recover each day! You at least will have company :)
don't forget to book at Orisson, other than that the camino provides.
Buen camino,
Sue
I'll think of you too - hope you enjoy it. I must have a look at it, I don't know about it.
Buen camino!
 
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Just remember that you are now a few years older! We met two guys who returned every few years to walk their next stages of the Camino Frances. Their comment was that after a three year gap they didn't quite have the same energy they'd had three years before.
Like them, you will have the benefit of previous Camino experience but just respect your body. I'm sure you'll be fine, Buen Camino and ENJOY!
Thanks, I will!
 
Are you contacting the albergues directly? Sometimes the booking sites don't have access to all the available rooms. Keep in mind, though that the Camino provides -- you will not have to sleep under a bridge, but you may have stories to tell!

Buen Camino from one who is close to your age.
 
Does anyone know if Jacotrans still operates in the same way - you just leave money in an envelope on your bag? Last year on the Ingles I used Mi Mochilla which was great. But they needed to know exactly where I would stay and I paid a price up front. I don't know where I will stay each night now!

Jacotrans is still there, Camino facil, and even the post office, Correos. They all allow you to make desicions on the sport, just write it down on the enveloppe.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

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Just remember that you are now a few years older! We met two guys who returned every few years to walk their next stages of the Camino Frances. Their comment was that after a three year gap they didn't quite have the same energy they'd had three years before.
Like them, you will have the benefit of previous Camino experience but just respect your body. I'm sure you'll be fine, Buen Camino and ENJOY!
Thanks!
 
Are you contacting the albergues directly? Sometimes the booking sites don't have access to all the available rooms. Keep in mind, though that the Camino provides -- you will not have to sleep under a bridge, but you may have stories to tell!

Buen Camino from one who is close to your age.
Yes, I emailed 4 (and they haven't replied) and the others I looked at their availability online (full, full!)
 
Jacotrans is still there, Camino facil, and even the post office, Correos. They all allow you to make desicions on the sport, just write it down on the enveloppe.
Thanks for this info. So I don't have to 'register', give bank details etc, or tell them in advance where I'm staying? Maybe it was just for the Ingles. How much is it these days? It used to be 7E.
Thanks again - so helpful x
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Thanks for your replies everyone! Actually I have decided to do it in stages over the year. First stage will be as far as Logrono, so not too far! I'm also going to take it easy - I've already done the Camino the 'hard' way, ie. walking every step and carrying my pack, but this time I'm going to get my pack sent on some of the time.
Does anyone know if Jacotrans still operates in the same way - you just leave money in an envelope on your bag? Last year on the Ingles I used Mi Mochilla which was great. But they needed to know exactly where I would stay and I paid a price up front. I don't know where I will stay each night now.
Thanks for your support!
Relax! 70 is young, we're going to live till we're 100, think how many more caminos you can do. Municipal and parochial albergues don't take bookings, it seems to me that it is the younger people who are panicking and booking in advance, aim to stop between the standard stages and I'm sure you'll be fine. Make sure your grey hairs show and everyone will be really respectful :D
 
Thanks for this info. So I don't have to 'register', give bank details etc, or tell them in advance where I'm staying? Maybe it was just for the Ingles. How much is it these days? It used to be 7E.
Thanks again - so helpful x
Registration is optional. It comes in handy for tour operators that have everything prebooked, and it's also a way to pay a bit less, but the penalty for any changes in plan can be €€€.

Here is the info for Camino Facil: http://caminofacil.net/en/how-it-works/#. 6€ for 1 bag making daily reservations.

Correos also offers the service, and you can book online, by email or phone. Prices start at 4€ more multiple days: http://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/e...4.1848148446.1501526687-1525323013.1492804716
 
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Regardless of your age, I reckon this piece of advice (which I read on this forum) is perfect......"start each day slow and just get slower". I met a few younger people last year that went at break neck speeds but gave up about 8 days into it.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Congratulations Marigold!
I too am 70 this year and I'm also going to celebrate with a long walk but I'm going to do the Via Francigena, I start at the end of August as well so I will think of you as I walk. It's a long time since I did the Frances so I can't give any advice but I do know that it takes a bit longer to recover each day! You at least will have company :)
don't forget to book at Orisson, other than that the camino provides.
Buen camino,
Sue
Another septaugenarian
Congratulations Marigold!
I too am 70 this year and I'm also going to celebrate with a long walk but I'm going to do the Via Francigena, I start at the end of August as well so I will think of you as I walk. It's a long time since I did the Frances so I can't give any advice but I do know that it takes a bit longer to recover each day! You at least will have company :)
don't forget to book at Orisson, other than that the camino provides.
Buen camino,
Sue
Another septuagenarian here doing the Portuguese from Lisbon in October, did the Frances in May. Very interested in the Via Francigena.

.where are you starting??
 

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