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Hi Annie, I walked via Valcarlos in Sept 2012 on my lonesome and it was actually the most uplifting, meaningful and pleasurable part of my Camino. There is something special about those fields and locale. I wrote a post about it afterwards called 'in praise of the lower route' later in 2013...
Hi Julie and others walking Sept/Oct - I walked these months a few years back and will be back again this Oct. You are right that it's hot at the beginning and cold/wet during the end. I ended up ditching my warm thermals/vest in the first few days as my pack was way too heavy and I didn't need...
I think that consistency throughout the week is the key, if possible.
Training for my Camino in 2012, I didnt walk during the week (same reason; too tired from work), only at weekends building up to around 17-19kms Sat/Sun and also walking with a pack. Once I started the Camino, I really...
From another tea-lover: take more than a few bags!! Tea drinking is not big in Spain and some supermercados dont even sell it. What you can buy, can be pretty awful. For my upcoming next Camino, I'm taking a whole box of my favourite (organic, fairtrade, black tea), hang the weight!
Dear Gard13; you have nothing to feel bad about - Go Aussie go!! - you said it like it is, as we Aussies do! There is much opinionated better-than-though on the Camino and the forum (and the opposite also true - lots of supportive, friendly, wise souls along the Way). You'll have a great time...
Charge them! Every year many Europeans, Asians and other visitors get lost or die in the Australian bush, desert or sea despite warnings from locals and ample literature on the subject for tourists on the dangers. We dont charge mostly but it costs an awful lot and rescuers have died in the...
Hi Mary,
I havent been to that one but Ive been to a similar one in Melbourne. For me I didnt get too much from the one I went to, in part because Id already researched alot from the forum and from this had more up to date info than the presenters as they'd last walked in 2006. But Id recommend...
Nice to hear about all your experiences or plans for the future. I wrote and received a reply from the lovely John Brierley, who plans to update the Valcarlos/lower route information in his next edition to reflect its true beauty. His books are such a service to the community/planet :D I love...
I walked the lower route in mid September this year, from SJPP to Roncesvalles and it was a major highlight of my Camino journey. It is mostly paths, not highway and through stunning woods where Roland and Charlemagne’s troops once journeyed. As a solo, contemplative walker I lOVED passing just...
As part of my Camino Frances Journey recently, I finished up at Muxia in late October.
There are two great new accommodations* not listed in the 2012 Brierley from Santiago onwards which you must stay at! (plus some other recommendations)
Here is where I stayed:
Negreira – Albergue San Jose...
It's easy to protect your own privacy on the Camino but there are the occasional pervs and exhibitionists on the trail, so sometimes you do see what you certainly dont wish to. In October at an albergue on the way to Finnistere there was a guy who liked to show his dick off and it was all pretty...
Hi,
I am on the Camino presently and my journey so far has been vastly different from my expectations. It has changed completely from expecting to do the whole thing (and spending all 2012 researching/planning this) to walking 10 days simply from SJPP to Los Arcos, spending 2 days in Logrono...
Hi Picos, I leave in 2 days and just want to say thanks for your time and generosity in providing us with all this help. Ive printed all your examples and shall be studying them on the plane! Many thanks :D
Hi Clo, Im sorry I cant help you there but Im arriving in SJPP the same day and happy to share mine until I leave and you can buy a copy in SJPP too (not that you want to pay again, I understand). I wonder if you are the irish pilgrim Im sharing an express barricoult taxi with, from Biarittz...
See you in SJPP Pete and hope Heather and I catch up with you Tezza and David; thanks for the Paris tips too, may try AirBnB on my way back! Aaah, I leave in a few days!!! Scary :? We'll be the two slightly hysterical brunette lasses :)
Hi Chip (and tezzanoris, davidinaus and other friends) - I arrive in SJPP on Monday 17 September 5pmish (will be completely wrecked after 30 hours travel!!) and leaving SJPP on 19th to start my walk with another Melburnian, Heather. We're staying at Le Chemin du Esprit.
Hope to meet all you...
My own personal experience from the booking online Ive attempted to do, has not been great (apart from Le Espirit du Chemin :D ). Have emailed Casa Marcelino in Valcarlos 4 times, first in English, then at attempt at Spanish with some Basque words from a guidebook, then in both Spanish and...
Hi, cant help you there but she needs to read the book by a British male writer, Travels with my Ass, comedic obviously (writer's name escapes me) but it goes into detail about his Camino Frances with a donkey and particularly into Donkey care which is incredibly necessary to keep the animal in...
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