Stopped at Pamplona

[Paul Wilson]

I started from SJPdP on 21st of September and had the most amazing 4 days walking the napoleon route, but as I arrived in Larassona I realised that the bed race was becoming an issue for me, with some albergues not opening this year and large numbers of peregrinos starting out just now I made the decision to stop at Pamplona as this was the last easy point for me to head home . At first I felt disappointed at leaving but with the cost of trying to find a bed as a solo pilgrim I was finding it stressful and not the experience I was looking for so it has proven to be the right choice for me and I will now head back in April when hopefully everything is back open again. To those I met on my short time there, God bless you for your friendship and buen camino. it was a special time with wonderful people and I look forward to my next steps towards SdC

 

[SioCamino]

I was in Ciraqui last night and there were beds free, maybe you were unlucky with the day you started and waiting a day in pamplona might improve things? I'm staying in albergues in shared dorms. Have you left already?

 

[Former member 31048]

Following on from @SioCamino - for what it’s worth, my understanding is that the number of pilgrims often ‘spreads out’ after Pamplona.

 

[Former member 49149]

Sorry Paul. Would you still be able to change your mind, or have you burned your boats? Remember, Irn Bru is made from girders! Whatever, once you have made up your mind, that will be good for your peace of mind.
Then haste ye back when the coast is clearer.

 

[Paul Wilson]

Thanks for your replies yes I looked at the possibility of the starting to walk shorter stages or less popular stopping points (staying an extra night in Pamplona wasn’t an option at £60 a night) it seemed to me in checking the web that pilgrims were travelling in waves and I seemed to be caught in one but I’ve learned from that. I guess what I was meaning in my op was that the Camino is more than just a really long walk, it’s a mixture of physical, mental and emotional and that making a change to your normally well worked out plans is not a failing, it’s just a plan b and a plan b sometimes just adds to the adventure. I’m back at home now and I’ve already got the Brierley in front of me with the diary out. Part one was shorter than I hoped but part two (plan b) is just around the corner as an aside on my return home I was able to offer a bed in my room to a pilgrim who couldn’t find anywhere to sleep and my poles to a young woman who discovered hers were broken as she was leaving the albergue to start, so maybe I was supposed to head back and assist other pilgrims

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Paul Wilson . I can understand your disappointment, but I can assure you that from Pamplona the accommodation choices do get easier. A quick perusal of Brierley will show that you can virtually stop every 10km and find accommodation. I realise that as the seasons change from Summer into Fall/Autumn and less numbers of pilgrims are on the Camino the private accommodation providers will as the saying goes "vote with their feet" and make the decision to close up until next Spring. Now that you are "basically out of the mountains" you can start walking from Pamplona in April (although you might want to wait until after Easter - April 13/18 in 2022). You will still need to be prepared for the cold and rain but there should be less snow, at least until you get to Astorga. Buen Camino.

 

[Kanga]

@Paul Wilson sorry your walk was disrupted, but I can tell you will be back! Superficially some things will change over time, but the Camino will always be there, waiting.

 

[urbanmamma]

I am in Sarria and there were rooms. Camino Ninja app is great way reaching out to albergues to find space.

 

[FLEUR]

Don't worry. You sensibly made your choice but now you have expérience and that will help on futures stages.

We walked the CF in multiple stages starting way back in France 2012 ending in Santiago and Fistere 2016. Each year we had more expérience and made longer stages. Each year wiser but a little older!
Since then we've walked every year, different Caminos though Covid stopped us in 2020 and this year covid plus some health issues. We'll be back!

 

[David with new Kit!]

I suppose room available comes down to cost too.

I'm in Cacabelos tonight and so far we have stayed in mostly private albergues with few issues. (We started in Logroño this time).

But where accommodation is tight we are able to 'upscale' if we need to (only had 3 hotels in 3 weeks so far).

But yes, we would struggle too if we wanted mostly municipal albergues.

I wish you well with your next Camino.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I started from SJPdP on 21st of September and had the most amazing 4 days walking the napoleon route, but as I arrived in Larassona I realised that the bed race was becoming an issue for me, with some albergues not opening this year and large numbers of peregrinos starting out just now I made the decision to stop at Pamplona as this was the last easy point for me to head home . At first I felt disappointed at leaving but with the cost of trying to find a bed as a solo pilgrim I was finding it stressful and not the experience I was looking for so it has proven to be the right choice for me and I will now head back in April when hopefully everything is back open again. To those I met on my short time there, God bless you for your friendship and buen camino. it was a special time with wonderful people and I look forward to my next steps towards SdC

Things do open up after Pamplona. You just happened to be in the bottleneck. Hang in there?

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thanks for your replies yes I looked at the possibility of the starting to walk shorter stages or less popular stopping points (staying an extra night in Pamplona wasn’t an option at £60 a night) it seemed to me in checking the web that pilgrims were travelling in waves and I seemed to be caught in one but I’ve learned from that. I guess what I was meaning in my op was that the Camino is more than just a really long walk, it’s a mixture of physical, mental and emotional and that making a change to your normally well worked out plans is not a failing, it’s just a plan b and a plan b sometimes just adds to the adventure. I’m back at home now and I’ve already got the Brierley in front of me with the diary out. Part one was shorter than I hoped but part two (plan b) is just around the corner as an aside on my return home I was able to offer a bed in my room to a pilgrim who couldn’t find anywhere to sleep and my poles to a young woman who discovered hers were broken as she was leaving the albergue to start, so maybe I was supposed to head back and assist other pilgrims

Was Jesus y Maria albergue not open in Pamplona?

 

[Rmarkob]

Was Jesus y Maria albergue not open in Pamplona?

Yes, JyM was open. I stayed there 24 September, but it did reach capacity by the afternoon. They are still operating at 50% capacity.

The Albergue owner in Larrasoaña offered to make a reservation for me at JyM after informing me that Albergues in the next two towns (my original plan) were closed.

It was nice meeting you, Paul, and hope your plans for April work out!

 

[Paul Wilson]

Yes, JyM was open. I stayed there 24 September, but it did reach capacity by the afternoon. They are still operating at 50% capacity.

The Albergue owner in Larrasoaña offered to make a reservation for me at JyM after informing me that Albergues in the next two towns (my original plan) were closed.

It was nice meeting you, Paul, and hope your plans for April work out!

Best of luck to you too Mark It was good meeting you and I hope your Camino is still going well buen camino my friend