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  1. J

    tent

    You don't NEED to take a tent, but you'll have a much more enjoyable time on the Camino if you do. The albergues are full of loud mouthed trash and best avoided.
  2. J

    Wild Camping along Via de la Plata and weather

    To the OP........ I've wild camped the whole of the VDLP in the middle of winter and enjoyed every minute of it. Don't worry about the authorities or anyone else for that matter. Be discrete and in the unlikely event that anyone tells you to move on, just get up and go. Your most important...
  3. J

    Camping

    Absolutely brilliant post and right on the ball!! I would never have considered being so gracious to the ignorant masses that are against wild camping. To re-iterate....... Backpackers are not the ones dumping rubbish or destroying the environment !! That was particularly evident, as we...
  4. J

    Camping

    YES. If you're a backpacker, it should be a very pleasant experience. If you're a virgin camper, learn the "rules" as you proceed and you'll also have a fab time.
  5. J

    Camping at refugios on the VdlP?

    Why not "Camp and Go" ? Loads of opportunity for wild camping along the vdlp, if you are not too fussy about location. Meeting pilgrims - don't worry you will meet loads along the way. We couldn't get away from them!! If you are camping they will always be overtaking, as you will be camping...
  6. J

    LIVE from the Camino 2 recent SMU grads on the camino

    Come on people, open your minds up a bit!! We each carried in excess of 20kg (thats about 44lbs, one third of body weight) and had no problems what so ever and had a really enjoyable 6 weeks. Not all of believe in Catholic pain and suffering!! It is notable that all the miserable people we met...
  7. J

    Anyone able to recommend guide to Via la Plata?

    Based on that statement, the EROSKI guide should be more than sufficient. Its all we used and never got lost. Even with snow, we found the yellow arrows. A little bit of common sense and the realisation that you will be heading in a general northerly direction, also helps.
  8. J

    Via Plata lodging and popularity

    That's 2 questions really. A lot of pilgrims seem to dislike people that camp - that's what I've picked up from this forum. Its assumed we are backpackers. But obviously, a backpacker can also be a pilgrim. We just do it more gracefully. We never had any problems with the local population...
  9. J

    Should albergues only accept those walking to Santiago?

    There really is a very simple way of separating the Pilgrims from the Tourists. Its all down to the quality of accommodation. It is my own personal view that the albergues have become too luxurious and hence are attracting the holiday makers and a load of other "softies". If there is an...
  10. J

    Walking in winter

    If last winter is anything to go by, expect harsh conditions - or a proper winter, as we would call it. We walked VdlP between Dec 11, 2008 and Jan 23, 2009. The first 3 weeks had near perfect walking conditions with sunshine and cool temps. Last 3 weeks the gods threw everything at us...
  11. J

    DSLR-camera on the camino

    I would say that walking for more than a week with a DSLR would be a pain, and a total pain in winter. We've just spent a week in the Picos de Europa with a DSLR and an old compact. Cleaning and keeping lens dry requires lots of patience. My OH carried it around his neck/shoulder, to the front...
  12. J

    rude spanish bar owners.live from camino

    It would appear that the regular posters are trying to hide the real Spain!! The locals are solely interested in your money. Occasionally, you will meet helpful and genuinely friendly people. sometimes you will be treated as a human and given the respect you deserve. But on the whole, as a...
  13. J

    Advice on walking boots

    Malie, The obvious answer........bring both! Don't worry about the extra weight, that's mostly hype. There is nothing quite like changing footwear after a couple of hours walking, its like getting a new pair of legs. When we walked, we changed footwear regularly, sometimes because of terrain...
  14. J

    Hand washing clothes

    A bar of soap is perfect for clothes washing. All you need is a stream with reasonable flow and a rock to scrub. Alternatively, we used the outdoor washing areas (pure luxury), even while it was snowing! After washing we usually let the clothes dry for a while in the sun then attached with...
  15. J

    'New Age' bores on the Camino

    One doesn't need any particular medical condition, to enable the use of poles! As a very fit hiker, I wouldn't dare to walk without them. Rhythm and pace is what its all about. They make walking so much easier and more pleasant. There is one caveat - dogs hate the click click sound. On...
  16. J

    Camping, Cash and other questions!

    Camping is fabulous. We did the VDLP during winter and had an amazing time. We stayed in albergues a few times (to check them out) and they really are awful places. Camping gives total freedom and independence to do what you want, when you want to do it. Exercise discretion and I don't think...

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