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  1. A

    Camino Virgin - Major life change - Loads of questions

    There's à lot to be said in favour of starting in SJPdP or Burgos or Leon. If you're planning to eventually walk the "whole" Frances, then starting in St Jean, Roncevalles or Pamplona would seem the best option but I personally enjoyed Leon to Santiago more than the section to Burgos because the...
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    getting from Madrid to Pamplona

    I haven't used the Renfe site but I'm big fan of Alsa. I tried your date on the site just now and there were no problems. The cheapest ticket was €22 and the journey is 5 hours. The buses run regularly. I've always used Mastercard and added the pittance for insurance. The only time I had to...
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    Real Pilgrims

    I was a bit miffed by the crowds towards the end of the CF. I'm still not that happy that getting a beer or a sandwich became a struggle as the numbers in cafes increased exponentially but I'm pretty sure that the owners of the cafes, hostels and shops in those last 100k and the people they...
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    Drying laundry while walking

    I'm pretty sure they are Bridgedales because I swear by them and that black and grey pattern is easily recognised.After much trial and error, I find that two pairs of them worn together are absolutely comfortable for me. They are also very light and quick drying so half a dozen pairs add little...
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    Drying laundry while walking

    Are those Bridgedale liners next to your smalls?
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    Music on the Camino

    If I'm lucky enough to have a bath at the end of a long walk, I'll hook up my mini speaker and play my two favourite walking songs: Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads and Beast of Burden by the Stones. If we are feeling romantic before scouring the town for tapas, my wife and I will practice our...
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    any moments of "what the heck am I doing here" ?

    In my recent experience, I would say that a good experience is still to be had on the Camino, depending, of course what you want to get out of it. I don't think of myself as a pilgrim. I'm a walker and I enjoy the physical challenge, the variety of experience and the fellowship that comes with...
  8. A

    petite dejuner?! breakfast at the gites?maybe not

    I go to France once or twice a year and I walked the Piedmont route a couple of years ago staying in chambres d'hote and small hotels from Pamiers to St Jean. If I stay in a hotel in France or Spain, I rarely have their breakfast if I'm in a town of any size. You can nearly always get bread...
  9. A

    Freaking out about pack weights

    Yes, that's probably the best way of putting it.
  10. A

    Freaking out about pack weights

    "Sweet F A". The tinned meat is right but in my experience and according to impeccable internet sources,Miss Adams's name or initials are called into use as a euphemism for "f... all" more often than not. It's sad that a young girl savagely murdered should have her name memorialised at least...
  11. A

    where to start a few days before SJPP?

    No problem with signage between Oloron and Mauleon, after that I joined the Le Puy route at Larceveau by way of Pagolle. The classic Piemont route is via Hopital St Blaise and Garaibie. The J and G Veron book has the route in detail but I can't find my copy. There are responses on the "Starting...
  12. A

    where to start a few days before SJPP?

    Oloron St Marie - pleasant enough town, lovely church, easy trains from Pau and a few days quiet walking to St Jean.
  13. A

    Freaking out about pack weights

    I wouldn't worry about it. You can get away with "fannying around" and the venerable "Sweet Fanny Adams" from Dover to Berwick even though the first is demonstrably sexist and the second an obvious euphemism for something naughtier. The English used to get quite a laugh from "pants" for...
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    Freaking out about pack weights

    Two countries divided by a common a language as GBS,Oscar Wilde or Churchill once said, depending on which source you believe. Most English speakers are pretty familiar with the seeming howlers perpetrated in other versions of the tongue through films, books and TV and the odd unintentional...
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    From Lourdes to Compostela

    Some of these might not still be in operation after 3 or 4 years but they were all very good: St Pe de Bigorre- Le Grand Cedre- not cheap but very atmospheric. Bruges- Maison Safrane- lovely room "en famille". Sevignac Meyrac-Au Bains de Secours- nice enough rooms, great restaurant...
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    From Lourdes to Compostela

    I used Chemin du Piemont Pyreneen by Jaqueline and Georges Veron when I walked the Chemin. It's in French but had a lot of accommodation addresses.I bought the IGN maps but there is a Topoguide of the same name from FFRandonees which should have good maps and will probably save you weight and...
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    any moments of "what the heck am I doing here" ?

  18. A

    Patches, Shells, & Symbols

    Yorkshire bloke? Can't fault thi.
  19. A

    any moments of "what the heck am I doing here" ?

    I started to feel odd walking into Logrono-raging thirst, churning gut. I tried the oft touted French remedy of a glass or two of pastis but the bar I went to only had a Spanish anis that did me little good. At such times, Ricard is the only choice. Feeling hungry, I managed half a racion of...
  20. A

    The Crepes Lady of Fonfria

    No one was stopping for her, including me, when we passed but they were queueing for a wax sello at two euros a chuck not far away. I doubt that the old lady will make enough for a luxurious retirement but if she does, good luck to her.

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