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  1. MesaWalker

    Under the moon and stars

    Last fall we walked south to north, Gibraltar to Santiago. For the first month it was clear and hot. We would get up early early each day and walk 2+ hours in darkness before the sun would start to appear in the ast. During that time, the Big Dipper and North Star almost always vivid in the...
  2. MesaWalker

    On the Norte and want to avoid the Frances until last possible moment into SdC

    In early June next year, I'm planning to use the Ruta/Camino Verde to cut from the Primitivo to the Norte, probably staying in Sobrado dos Monxes - then heading for Santiago de Compostela. It looks like we will have at least three choices on where to join the Camino Francés - on the Norte at...
  3. MesaWalker

    Camino miracles

    There seem to be people who have major miracles happen on the Camino. But I think much more common are small miracles - forgiveness for a wrong done to us, an awakening to beauty, wholeness, gratitude, or our shared humanity, the sense of closeness to our creator. I don't expect a...
  4. MesaWalker

    Do you drop any personal restrictions on Camino?

    I tried a trekking umbrella on a camino and wound up not using it much. But in my sole local, pre-camino training with it on a hot, sunny day, the first person I met, a cyclist, rode by and shouted, "Hello there, Mary Poppins!" I probably should have waited to unveil such a fashion statement...
  5. MesaWalker

    Need some new route advice

    Maybe the Via de la Plata from Mérida (or later) to Astorga? From Mérida that might be about 16+/- walking stages. Those stages don't contain any major elevation gains, and you would get to go through the cities of Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca, Zamora and Astorga, all of which are fascinating.
  6. MesaWalker

    Albergue in Manzanares el Real

    Thank you, @timr. Ray and Rosa sound like wonderful people. I'll spend some time on their website.
  7. MesaWalker

    Albergue in Manzanares el Real

    @paregrina2000 - Thanks a million. This information is really helpful! We'll definitely stay with Ray and Rosa. It's too bad about the parish-run albergue you stayed in. It is so helpful that you have this historical knowledge!
  8. MesaWalker

    Albergue in Manzanares el Real

    @peregrina2000, do you have any recent information about the beautiful albergue that requires getting the key from the priest in Manzanares el Real? Also, I've seen lots of references to Ray and Rosa's albergue/hostal in Manzanares el Real, which is supposed to be a font of information. Do you...
  9. MesaWalker

    Camino fatigue?

    If we're lucky, life will give us many opportunities to experience wonder, beauty, cameraderie, gratitude, and self-reflection. Sometimes they can come in the quiet of a sunny window in a hotel in Salamanca, a bird chirping in your backyard, the majesty of of a Gothic cathedral, or the quiet...
  10. MesaWalker

    Is the Camino too crowded?

    Traditionally there are a lot more pilgrims leaving St. Jean Pied de Port in the first half of September than the second half. We left in the middle of September of 2021 and it wasn't bad at all, although that coincided with a lull in covid infections. If your schedule is flexible, leaving...
  11. MesaWalker

    Seeking All Amazing VDLP Itinerary & Route Tips, Suggestions & Advice

    Per excellent advice received on this forum, my wife and I started last fall from La Linea de la Concepción just north of Gibraltar on the Via Serrana as an alternative to walking the Via Augusta from Cadiz. It was absolutely spectacular and I highly recommend it. We did it in 10 days, so it's...
  12. MesaWalker

    REI Sale

    Kenwilsonjr - Your post saved me a bunch of money! I was waffling on getting some Keen sandals I like for albergues, strolling around town, etc., but had already used my full-priced discount coupon code. I tried it on a separate order and it worked! Saved me about $15. Thank you!
  13. MesaWalker

    REI Sale

    Bought REI Sahara Paddler Hat, some Smartwool socks, some REI silk sock liners, and a Patagonia Houdini jacket (not on sale, but used by coupon for it). Planning to bring all on my next Camino.
  14. MesaWalker

    Via Augusta - Apr 2023

    We walked Gibraltar to Sevilla on the Via Serrana, then on to Santiago. Did not go to Cadiz. The Via Serrana is beautiful.
  15. MesaWalker

    Camino Frances in September - experiences

    I suggest, if your precise timing is flexible, you leave in the middle or third week of September. It can still get hot, but crowds may be a bit less leaving 2-3 weeks later than September 1. Plus it's likely to be a bit cooler. The only downside I can think of is it puts you a bit closer to...
  16. MesaWalker

    How to decide how long to walk for

    The beauty of walking a camino, for me, is completely unplugging from "regular" life and living day-to-day and moment-to-moment. At the beginning of a Camino, there's an adjustment period to disconnect your mind from daily habits and concerns in your normal life. And toward the end of a...
  17. MesaWalker

    Guide to the Camino de Uclés — in Spanish and English

    Translated into English by a moderator. Please use English in the future. Caminohenri - Did you see the links in the first post of this thread? It is from 2020, but I thnk that it the most recent guide of the Camino de Uclés. I am planning to walk this camino in six days from Uclés to...
  18. MesaWalker

    Walking in rain

    This seems like two questions. 1. Rain protection - If you have a decent poncho that covers your pack, like the Altus, you don't need other waterproofing. 2. Warmth in November - You probably will want to have available to you at least 4 layers, and preferably 5. My suggestion - t-shirt...
  19. MesaWalker

    Surprised at our test results poncho vs jacket

    My wife and I were staunch rain jacket-and-pack cover folks, and successfully walked a pretty dry camino in 2021 with that set up. Then last fall we walked the VdlP/Sanabrés (and some more) during a month-long stretch of daily, heavy rain. We quickly found out that, for us, Decathlon-purchased...
  20. MesaWalker

    Current volume of pilgrims on Salvador?

    This is really helpful information. Does anyone know if the restaurant in Poladura de la Tercia is still closed on Tuesdays?

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