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Midge -
You don't need to book ahead for albergues (and with very, very few exceptions, you can't). You probably could book ahead for hotels and pensiones, but it's hard to predict where you'll decide to stop on any given night.
If the albergue is full, you'll probably still have a roof...
Most albergues will let you sleep outside on their property. I saw a handful of people sleeping in tents they set up in fields along the path outside of town. It wasn't terribly common, but it also didn't seem to be a problem. I also met one guy who regularly set up a tent in yards in towns...
Sonia,
I walked alone in August 2005 and never felt the least bit uncomfortable. I met plenty of other women walking alone and never heard about any problems. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be aware of your surroundings, but I'm sure you'll be fine. Even in September, I'm sure there will...
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