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Hi she_real and welcome. You will find some amazing advice here and there isn't much I can say with regard to your queries (you'll have loads more, trust me) that hasn't been said already.
First, though I know that no matter which route you finally decide on will be the right one for you and...
You are going to love your Camino, tarasis, trust me. You do realise that it's "a calling" don't you? Every one of us who have walked, or will walk, the Caminos (or in my case ridden) do so because of an inner yearning to just do it.
You will probably find you've packed too much but can always...
Welcome and Buen Camino, Cherirae. Spain has a good train service, so look into this. A bus might be a good idea, although not as quick as a train, of course. Some pilgrims begin their walk from Pamplona - avoiding the steep climb to SJPdP - so look at getting there too. It's south of SJPdP...
Hi Jayholdman. Both excellent questions. I have never had any problems with drinking water in Spain, and I don't think you will either. You could always buy bottled water but I've never felt the need. I have been going to France, Italy and Spain (mostly France) for at least thirty years now and...
Welcome, GreenArcher83. So good to hear that you will still do the walk, even if you might be on your own. Because it will be a trip of a lifetime which you will never forget, and meet lots of other like-minded souls along the way. Who knows, perhaps next time you can persuade your wife to...
I do wonder if those who have advised that you shouldn't start off your first Camino on this route might also be those who like to tell you how dreadful their pregnancy and births were as soon as they discovered you were pregnant 😆. There will always be someone who tries to put you off.
The one...
I was very moved by your gesture for your loving husband, Mark. You must miss him terribly, and you will feel his presence every step of the way. I am sure the office in Santiago will be very happy to do what you ask.
You don't need to explain why you have undertaken to do the Camino if you...
Steve, you need to check out if you are allowed to camp in the wild in Spain. You will need to check out the commercial campsites, and they are just as expensive as the cheaper albergues. Indeed, you should be able to find the albergues are pretty cheap as some of them only ask for donations (we...
Sarah, it's natural to feel apprehensive at this point - I know I did just before we did the route last year (2013). You will not only have an amazing time, meet so many wonderful people, and see so much more than you could ever visualize, once you get back home, you will be wanting to turn...
We exchanged money (I went with my husband) at the beginning of the year as soon as we knew were were doing the camino. We had to take it back because it was given to us in 100 euro notes! They gave us 20 euro notes which we found perfect - most albergues aren't happy to give changes for large...
I'm not sure we even intend to phone ahead to book a place - as we will be cycling, we are well aware that we might not get one anyway, until all of the walkers have been catered for. We will have a tent as backup - and for getting through France to St John first. But I suspect that phoning...
Hi Sorrel, part of the fun is in the planning. Practicing Spanish is good. It's amazing how many people you run into who have actually done the route themselves. Then again, many more who cannot understand why you are doing it, lolol.
Good luck and perhaps we will see you along the road sometime :)
What a wonderful way to celebrate your retirement! I am sure you will have an excellent camino and come back ready to conquer the world, which open so many new opportunities for you now. Buen Camino.
Your message, Kanga, had me almost in tears. What better reason to take a scallop shell with you. For me, I am sure there will loads on sale in Spain and will wait until we get there before getting one. I am sure your friend greatly appreciated that you had her in your thoughts as well as you...
I love this thread, and can feel the enthusiasm from both of you filling me. Although I will be cycling the route mostly, I have been wondering also about walking part of the way. Or perhaps we will go back another year to just walk the route. One thing I have learned on the forum is that you...
Thanks for the feedback, Newf. We are still undecided about taking a tent, but as we are going at one of the most popular times of the year, we thought it would be a good standby. The last think we would want is to have to pay out for a private hotel because everywhere else is full! But I agree...
Hello, and welcome to the forum. You will find loads of helpful hints and information on here. I don't think you will have any problem travelling through France, or Spain, on your bike solo. We (not sure if I'm dragging my husband along, or he's dragging me along :lol: ) are riding the Camino...
I am sure it will be an experience you won't forget in a hurry. See the 'Speak Spanish or Portuguese?' section where you can get some great advice. As anywhere, the locals like it when you at least make an effort to speak their language. Knowing some French also helps because you will be so near...
Reading through some of the entries here I see that so many of us hope to do the camino in September. My husband and I have never undertaken such a mammoth task but are really looking forward to it. With one difference - we intent to cycle from the middle of the UK all the way to Santiago taking...
Yes, we had thought of using mountain bikes. However, as we will be riding a great deal on roads - we intend to leave the house and ride all the way through to the ferry then through France to Spain - we won't be using genuine mountain bikes. But we do intend putting on stronger wheels than we...
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