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  1. H

    Do these stages seem about right?

    In 2018 my wife (70) and her 2 friends (75 and 66) asked me to accompany them on the CP from Porto (I was 72 and a 3x veteran of the CF and CP.) We walked the entire distance in about 12 days, including 2-night rest in Ponte de Lima. I don't know your age and physical condition. I don't know if...
  2. H

    Planning a family camino in summer 23

    Hello Mayfly, I'm happy that you and your family are planning to hike the camino together. As the saying goes, "the family that plays together, stay together!" As to route option, you didn't mention how much time you'd planned on walking. On the kids in albergue issue: I've seen them in a few...
  3. H

    Cycling the Camino Portugues *Backwards* from Santiago to Lisbon, Central route

    Thank you for your detailed report of doing the CP by bike, N to S. I've done 4 caminos beginning in my mid 60s. I'm afraid that my walking days are over for various reasons (polio and 2 total knee replacements.) Beginning in my early 70s I've taken to biking which does not seem to bother my...
  4. H

    What's your earliest Camino connection?

    I went to HS and college in Monterey and Santa Cruz from 1961 to 1969. The highway between the 2 towns in California is called El Camino Real. However that connection is superficial. Years later I read an article about THE Camino and thought that it was something I would like to do. However, I...
  5. H

    Lets Build an Albergue!

    Well said! I agree with you wholeheartedly.
  6. H

    is the first day as daunting as it looks?

    On my first CF, at age 67, I didn't go all the way from SJPDP to Roncevalles because I didn't want to push myself hard the very first day. As a polio survivor with an artificial knee I wasn't even sure I could complete the camino. So I made reservation at Orisson and was glad that I did. The...
  7. H

    Read Before You Walk!

    I'm a veteran of 4 caminos (walking) and 3 long distance bike trips, having just completed the latest one today (from Trier to Bonn via Koblenz in Germany.) I would vote for bells on bikes. In 2013 on a downhill stretch on the CF that was particularly steep, narrow and rocky I was nearly hit...
  8. H

    When to buy Travel Insurance

    I would recommend travel medical insurance coverage at any age! The trip insurance covering cancellation, delays and lost luggage etc., IMHO, is not as critical. Last November I organized a trip to Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia for a couple of friends. In the third week of the trip, while in...
  9. H

    LIVE from the Camino Graffiti...and meaness

    Tim, You and your wife are the kind of peregrinos that I would have liked to share a meal and a glass of vino Tinto on the camino. Thank you for the kind thought.
  10. H

    How much do your backpacks weigh?

    Don't go by any rule. Pack your backpack with only essentials. Hike with it fully loaded during your training for at least 2-3 consecutive days. If it feels heavy and burdensome, then it's too heavy on the Camino. After 4 Caminos, my fully loaded backpack is 4.2 kgs (just over 9 pounds) not...
  11. H

    Update: CP with 6 very special people

    It' I hope all goes well and l I hope all will go well and it ends up being a gift! Nine years ago, in my 60s Good luck and I hope it turns out to be a special gift!
  12. H

    I was the peregrina that was assaulted close to Sacavem on Camino Portugues

    I join others in thanking you for sharing your most unpleasant experience. I'm so glad that, though bruised and robbed, your spirit is still high. As a fellow lone pilgrim/traveler (biking, motorcycling and walking) I admire your loving, forgiving and positive nature. I'm a man in my 70s but I...
  13. H

    Very dissilusioned. Can't wait to finish

    Thanks for sharing. I started my CF from SJPP on April 2nd a few years ago. I was lucky to have met only kind, friendly and considerate pilgrims - until after Sarria! It happened to be the May 1st holiday when a lot of tourists and young Spanish students go to earn their compestela. I had to...
  14. H

    Merino layers for April/May - advice about Icebreaker weights

    Dear AlongTheAway, I concur with the general trend of most of the replies. I started on April 2nd from SJPP and arrived in SdC in second week of May. On the way I encountered all kinds of weather conditions: snow, sleet, rain, wind, sun... I think your list of uppers is too long. You can...
  15. H

    Schengen Visa Issues!

    Dear Cookie and Yodapsy, You only need visa to ONE Shengen country, then you can travel within the entire Shengen area without going through immigration ckeck. At least that's my experience flying from Rome to Barcelona, then flying from Barcelona to Porto, Portugal to start the camino...
  16. H

    Doubts after Day 1

    Hi Alan. I second most of the previous comments and suggestions: 2 poles, shorter distances the first few days AND seriously lighten your load! A pack of 13 kgs (nearly 30 pounds), IMHO, is ways too heavy, regardless of your weight. I can see the need for such load (or even heavier) for such...
  17. H

    Camino France's (again) or Portugese route

    I've done both the CF (from SJPP) and the CP (from Porto.) I liked them both for different reasons. While the CF was less crowded in the first half or so, I encountered more and more hikers toward the end. The section from Sarria on (especially the first week of May) was most crowded. Fellow...
  18. H

    Poles or no poles

    Ah, to pole or not to pole?! (Or Two poles or not two poles!) As others observed, it's a personal preference. However, as a polio survivor with an artificial knee, it's not a choice but a necessity for me! Having completed 2 caminos in my late 60s (CF from SJPP and CP from Porto) using a pair of...
  19. H

    Day 2 ended up with 2 big blisters

    BTW, on my last camino I started with a pack that was 17 pounds. After 3 days (after crossing the Pyrenees and Roncevalles) I gave things away and reduced the pack weight down to 11 pounds (without water or food!) This year I'll use a frameless backpack (Osprey Hornet 32) which weights just 1...
  20. H

    Day 2 ended up with 2 big blisters

    Sorry to hear of your blister problem. I did 10+ months and hundreds of miles of hiking to prepare for my first camino - and did not suffer one single blister during this training period (different boots, single/double socks/cream etc.) Everything went well during the first 2 weeks on the CF...

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