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Hi there,
I am a single female Kiwi (from NZ) and start the VdlP 30 Sep 17. My first time to Spain, my first Camino and my first ever long walkabout. I am so excited!! Arrive Madrid from Croatia and travel the AVE direct to Servile on 29th. Is it important to book Servile accom in advance?
I can only walk 3 weeks and have no expectations as to how far I will get. Obviously I won't be able to complete it in that timeframe- but that's fine. I will have to return. Would I be able to use the same 'passport' another year - to finish the VdlP? Or does the passport only last 1 year? What is the weather like this time of year? Do I need warm clothes and warm jacket? Will a light sleeping bag be sufficient?
Am hoping I will meet fellow pilgrims on the way - but not expecting it.
Your comments would be much appreciated.
Cheers, Kas.
Hola
You may want to look into lodging booking homepages and apps for smartphones such as booking.com or hotel.com if you want to be sure about lodging for a night.
Else just arrive at the albergue - hostal for pilgrims - and hope there are room.
The passport is called a credential and you can continue using the same next time you walk. It never expire.
Last week the temperatures around madrid was +35 degree Celcius, so you do not need warm cloth.
Some pilgrims use soft shell jackets in the morning as temperatuers are fresh before sunrise, others use only a t-shirt this time of year.
Seleepingbag has to be very thin if you plan to use one, else it will be better to use a silk cocoon - inner silk bag to sleepingbags.
Be aware that this time a year it can become extremely hot so do have extra focus on hydration.
Buen camino
Lettinggo
Yes. Besides showing evidence for qualifying for a compostela, it is good for entrance into albergues, and you are considered a pilgrim in perpetuity with your credential.Would I be able to use the same 'passport' another year
It likely will still be hot/warm in September, so you should not need a heavy sleeping bag.Will a light sleeping bag be sufficient?
Hi Kas - Alan from Australia here, I start on Sept 16th but only going to Orrison on my first day so may catch you somewhere. Walking with my cousin and her husband.Hi there,
I am a single female Kiwi (from NZ) and start the VdlP 30 Sep 17. My first time to Spain, my first Camino and my first ever long walkabout. I am so excited!! Arrive Madrid from Croatia and travel the AVE direct to Servile on 29th. Is it important to book Servile accom in advance?
I can only walk 3 weeks and have no expectations as to how far I will get. Obviously I won't be able to complete it in that timeframe- but that's fine. I will have to return. Would I be able to use the same 'passport' another year - to finish the VdlP? Or does the passport only last 1 year? What is the weather like this time of year? Do I need warm clothes and warm jacket? Will a light sleeping bag be sufficient?
Am hoping I will meet fellow pilgrims on the way - but not expecting it.
Your comments would be much appreciated.
Cheers, Kas.
Don't go it alone. Hook up with some other pilgrims at the beginning and hang with them. Last year, I walked from Leon to Santiago in two weeks, so backward map for another week. You could start out in Saint Jean and walk a week, then take transportation to Leon and do the last two weeks. Next year, do what you don't do this trip. I doubt you can carry over km's from one year to the next.Hi there,
I am a single female Kiwi (from NZ) and start the VdlP 30 Sep 17. My first time to Spain, my first Camino and my first ever long walkabout. I am so excited!! Arrive Madrid from Croatia and travel the AVE direct to Servile on 29th. Is it important to book Servile accom in advance?
I can only walk 3 weeks and have no expectations as to how far I will get. Obviously I won't be able to complete it in that timeframe- but that's fine. I will have to return. Would I be able to use the same 'passport' another year - to finish the VdlP? Or does the passport only last 1 year? What is the weather like this time of year? Do I need warm clothes and warm jacket? Will a light sleeping bag be sufficient?
Am hoping I will meet fellow pilgrims on the way - but not expecting it.
Your comments would be much appreciated.
Cheers, Kas.
Kia ora, Kas,
I haven't walked the VdlP so have nothing much to add - except to say welcome to the forum, and buen camino!
Oh....and don't forget sunscreen and hat. The sun down there has power, even this time of year.
Don't go it alone. Hook up with some other pilgrims at the beginning and hang with them. Last year, I walked from Leon to Santiago in two weeks, so backward map for another week. You could start out in Saint Jean and walk a week, then take transportation to Leon and do the last two weeks. Next year, do what you don't do this trip. I doubt you can carry over km's from one year to the next.
It will be getting cooler in October.
You will not need to book any accommodation as all albergues should be open and there is only you. Hotel Simon in Sevilla has been recommended. We couldn't get in there because we were in Sevilla at Easter and it was booked out.
Gronze.com is an excellent site for accommodation. There are some good apps eg Via de la Plata basic. It is free. Also the eroski Camino app.
This is a wonderful Camino. Enjoy.
Yes. Besides showing evidence for qualifying for a compostela, it is good for entrance into albergues, and you are considered a pilgrim in perpetuity with your credential.
It likely will still be hot/warm in September, so you should not need a heavy sleeping bag.
Some of the threads come up and others don't.
Kia Ora Tikitour, Book your first night accommodation. Hostal Triana is Camino friendly as is Hotel Simon. Ensure that you keep your pack weight light. Two liters of water are ample and don't forget you can always knock on a house door if you run out. Remember one litre of water is one kilogram. You can supplement the water with a 500ml bottle of juice. Stages vary from 22 - 35km but with careful planning you'll be okay. Check out www.godesalco.com to assist with planning your stages. Also you can pick up a small lightweight guide from the tourist office. Just need to ask them for information booklet on the via de la plata. Take lots of breaks and enjoy. BTW I have walked this way three times and going again next April. It's very lovely and serene. My pack weight is roughly 12kg no more.Hola Lettinggo
Thank you for your advice and answering all of my questions. Perfect! I have downloaded the Camino accommodation app and hope to buy a SIM card for my phone when I arrive in Madrid.
I have a 2 litre water bladder and will take an additional 2 x 1 litre bottles for longer days. I have both a silk cocoon and thin sleeping bag- I get cold easily and like the heat, but I will remember your advice to keep hydrated.
Muchos gracias
Ka kite
Tikitour
Kia Ora Tikitour, Book your first night accommodation. Hostal Triana is Camino friendly as is Hotel Simon. Ensure that you keep your pack weight light. Two liters of water are ample and don't forget you can always knock on a house door if you run out. Remember one litre of water is one kilogram. You can supplement the water with a 500ml bottle of juice. Stages vary from 22 - 35km but with careful planning you'll be okay. Check out www.godesalco.com to assist with planning your stages. Also you can pick up a small lightweight guide from the tourist office. Just need to ask them for information booklet on the via de la plata. Take lots of breaks and enjoy. BTW I have walked this way three times and going again next April. It's very lovely and serene. My pack weight is roughly 12kg no more.
Thanks William and Jill for helping out a newbie. Much appreciated.Threads merged.
There is no expiration on the credential...however it is usually a good idea to pick up a second copy to insure you have adequate space to collect sello as you wish.
Many people cleverly attach the added sello spaces to the original so that is still just one ( but bigger) credential.
The sellos are a cherished souvenir and reminder of where and when you were each day/night. The last 100km sellos are the only ones that are required to receive a Compostela in Santiago.
It is a very good idea to add your email address on your credential. If you lose it or leave it somewhere along the way....you will stand a very good chance of being reunited with it. A finder will almost always send you an email but not be excited to make an often international telephone call.
Just keep in mind that there are many long stretches with no doors! Or at least no doors with people inside. However, in October the weather probably won't be so hot.I wasn't sure about knocking on doors to ask for water (with so many people walking the Camino)
Just keep in mind that there are many long stretches with no doors! Or at least no doors with people inside. However, in October the weather probably won't be so hot.
Edited to add... Buen camino! You will have a great 3 weeks.
Kia Ora TikitourKia Ora Handzondeck2,
Thanks a lot for your advice - it is very helpful. I wasn't sure about knocking on doors to ask for water (with so many people walking the Camino), so thanks for telling me - obviously I would only do it if I got desperate. I thought it was better to carry too much than not enough. And work out my quantities as I go.
I have Gerald Kelly's 2016 guide book but will checkout the site you mentioned and check the tourist office while I am in Servile. Is it necessary to get maps?
I think I can keep my pack under 7 kg's (I need to so I can take it as hand luggage on the plane) and will post some of it forward to Ivar.
I will definitely take it easy and enjoy it. Thanks again.
There is an albergue in Calzada de Valdunciel, 22 km after Salamanca, but it has only 8 places. There might also be a hostal. Then 6 km after Calzada there is a private albergue "Casa Saso" which I think is fairly new. It is about 100 m off the camino in a nice peaceful setting. There are clear signs to it, up the hill after the highway over/underpasses. Since it is a private albergue you might be wise to contact them if you are counting on being able to stop there. Click here for their website.if planning to walk all the way from Salamanca to El Cubo de Vino you will need to plan carefully as it is about 36km with no shade
Thanks for the recommendations, I really appreciate it. I will make a note of them but I'm not sure I will make it that far this time.There is an albergue in Calzada de Valdunciel, 22 km after Salamanca, but it has only 8 places. There might also be a hostal. Then 6 km after Calzada there is a private albergue "Casa Saso" which I think is fairly new. It is about 100 m off the camino in a nice peaceful setting. There are clear signs to it, up the hill after the highway over/underpasses. Since it is a private albergue you might be wise to contact them if you are counting on being able to stop there. Click here for their website.
Kia Ora Tikitour
No need to take a map unless you dowload it to your smartphone the way is well waymarked. You might have some difficulty navigating through the big cities but ask at the albergue for the best way and you'll be okay. Be sure to check out the Camino Resourse section for the accommodation guide. Word of advice if planning to walk all the way from Salamanca to El Cubo de Vino you will need to plan carefully as it is about 36km with no shade (unless you have breaks in the overpass tunnels) and very little water on the way.Otherwse it is a very lovely walk. Be prepared for lots of sun and of course what is a camino without rain. So prepare for both types of weather. Remember pack light and take heaps of rest stops on the way.
Thanks Old Gringo. I had a quick look. There's a lot of info there - it might take a while to get through. Haha. It will give me something to do on my long flight to Europe.We did the VdlP about the same time of year as you are planning. You may find our blog helpful-
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ta-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
Hi there,
I am a single female Kiwi (from NZ) and start the VdlP 30 Sep 17. My first time to Spain, my first Camino and my first ever long walkabout. I am so excited!! Arrive Madrid from Croatia and travel the AVE direct to Servile on 29th. Is it important to book Servile accom in advance?
I can only walk 3 weeks and have no expectations as to how far I will get. Obviously I won't be able to complete it in that timeframe- but that's fine. I will have to return. Would I be able to use the same 'passport' another year - to finish the VdlP? Or does the passport only last 1 year? What the weather is like this time of year? Do I need a warm clothes and warm jacket? Will a light sleeping bag be sufficient?
Am hoping I will meet fellow pilgrims on the way - but not expecting it.
Your comments would be much appreciated.
Cheers, Kas.
Ha, three go mad on the camino. Given these intrepid kiwi females have gone quiet on this thread I assume they are all steadily plodding along the great wide expanse of the Vdlp.
Kas, Mandy and Sis - my thoughts are with you, wherever you are, have a great walk.
Go on rub it in why don't you, the rain has stopped here and I have to go bring the pigs in… it's a far cry from sailing in Croatia!Thanks Hel &Scott.
We haven't started yet. I'm sailing in Croatia and the two sisters arrive in Seville tonight from Granada.
It's getting closer. I'll try and keep the thread going but I expect I'll be a bit stuffed. Haha
Hola folks.Tracey and I are getting very excited nervous as well.we are enjoying sevilla and head off on Sunday on our journey on Sunday. Sorry I havnt posted but having so much fun here in spain.Go on rub it in why don't you, the rain has stopped here and I have to go bring the pigs in… it's a far cry from sailing in Croatia!
Hi Kas, I hope the weather is settling down as you move further North. What are your highlights from the first week? Buen camino GraceFinally on my way.
Thought I would take a detour so I could see the sun rise above Santiponce. Actually, it was my first hour on my first day - and yes, you guessed it (I was lost! Lol). In my defence it was 5:45am when I started out - not a lot of daylight and the signs weren't that easy to spot.
So, a short 2-3 km detour back on track, on top of a scheduled 23km day, ended really well. View changed from time to time (NOT!). Well, at least the people changed! Met an Aussie chick first who slowed - has had knee surgery this year, a German, then walked with a Brazilian with his border collie , who passed us in his jandals! I stopped for a drink and then caught up with 2 Spaniards Sergio and Ernesto, just before Guillena.
Funny thing, when I didn't need signs - because there was nowhere else to go(?) I saw heaps. Haha. It was pretty warm! 30 - 36 degrees depending on who's phone you were looking at.
Gorgeous quaint little town where there were 14 other 'peregrino's' at dinner.
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