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Welcome from a fellow retired Irishman.I too walked my first Camino a year after I retired .I loved all the preparation and lead up to the big day at SJ PdP and I hope you do too.Some friends said 66 was too old to take on a 500 mile walk.They were wrong.God guide your footsteps and Buen Camino.Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
lucky lucky you !exciting to be planning this trip ,it will be amazing .sounds like you have it under control. my sister and i surprised our dad for his 60th,some of the family were shocked n asked us were we trying to kill himGreat forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Thanks for your post. I was not aware of this and often wondered at the many mentions of Irish pilgrims getting their first stamp at Guinness's. Now I have another tidbit of information to file away among my many happy memories of my visit to Dublin..........you might also like to get your passport stamped at reception at Guiness's, St. James Gate, so called because in ancient times pilgrims from the surrounding areas met there and walked together to the coast to board their ship to A Coruna.
Welcome to the forum Bobcat. I'm a Irish American of the McNamara of Clan Cain.Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Greetings and congrats Bobcat!Thanks everyone. you're so kind. Starting week before Paddy's Day. I don't fancy walking when it's 30 degrees. You can put on layers when it's cold, but there's a limit to what you can take off when it gets hot..
Thanks Lydia ... nice to see one familiar face. I thought you'd be in Clare this week!! Weight restriction mean no guitar on Camino, though.
No rush for me. Plan to take lots of off days and slow days and even linger for a day here and there. And, YES, 'Herself' does intend to join me in Santiago. I'll find her supping a tinto somewhere, I'm sure!
Thanks again y'all.
Hi Bobcat, I am wondering if 35 litres may be a little small for the Springtime because of bringing a sleeping bag. We went in April and May. We had 1 season anti bed bug sleeping bags from Lifeventure weighing 750grams plus a silk liner. I also wore very lightweight silk leggings and top to sleep and had a 200gram thermatec reflective blanket. I did not really need the blanket because the majority of Albergue's did have blankets but not all. Sometimes it was too hot to use my sleeping bag and I just used the silk liner and my thermatec blanket. There are many threads on this forum about sleeping bags and ultimately it depends on how warm you need to be to sleep balanced out against the weight you feel able to carry, and everyone is different. I was very happy with my sleeping gear. My pack is about 50 litres and it was full. I took a lightweight fleece and a fleece waistcoat for layering and used both. The evenings can be chilly in Spring when you stop walking and sit around in bars with the door open (this seemed to the norm in Spain).Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
I use a 31 L pack for October-November and find it perfect. It's true that it is fairly full if the weather is good and I'm not wearing all my layers, but that forces me to keep the weight down to about 6 kg without water and I am happy with it.I am wondering if 35 litres may be a little small
Too bad about not packin a guitar. Some mandolins are real light. Just a thought. Your pre planning is just the beginning of your new "hobby" . Good thing you are just a hop away.6Kg. Wow. That's light, Spartan packing. My target weight is 7.5/8Kg.
Thanks ladies. My bag is actually described as 35/40, so it has a collar to allow some expansion, but I know that extra space WILL fill up with 'stuff' and stuff weighs!
Yes not many will bring them but is very nice when they do!There's a thought. The mandolin is strung like a fiddle. I'd prefer a guitar-like ukulele. Small, light. I could buy a cheap one for the trip without a case. Some peregrinos might not like that. Do folks bring instruments? Have seen no references to music-(ians) on the forum. Hey a 35 day session might happen. Of course I may have to walk alone!!!
Hello Bobcat, fellow scouter, and Irishman. I'm a American Irishman myself, the McNamara of Clan Cain. Welcome to the forum, your one stop and shop site for all things Camino and a few things that are not. Think of this forum as a digital Scout Handbook. Its full of information, what when where, how, and the whys. Its my Scout Handbook and guide book for walking the Caminos.Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Well if your half def like I am anything sounds good, but I will still pray you take it. But it is not I who can't play a kazoo, nor have to pack it.Thanks Urban Trekker. V generous and helpful. I was wondering how much is enough for March/April.
Now all I have to do is assess a) the weight of an instrument and b) whether I can be comfortable both carrying and playing it!!!!!
Decisions decisions. What is the wise thing to do?
Really appreciate the help and encouragement.
We started on 10th April this year. The pass was open for the Route Napoleon upper route on the Pyrenees but only just, I think it had been closed the previous week. We had 2km of snow but it was not deep at all and no problem. I did take gloves but did not use them at all; however, if we had started in March I think we would have used them quite possibly. It is true that there was no heating in the majority of Albergues in April, with one memorable exception being Acacia y Orietta who kindly put on their wonderful log burning stoves for us which was so welcoming on what became a stormy afternoon. It is good to have something warm to wear when you have stopped walking as evenings can be cold at times. Some Albergues do not have anywhere warm or nice to sit after you have done your chores and are waiting for Pilgrims dinner time.Well if your half def like I am anything sounds good, but I will still pray you take it. But it is not I who can't play a kazoo, nor have to pack it.
I started my walk on April 7 2014 As our aniversery is on Paddy's day. Make sure you take gloves, not sure where you are starting from but chances are very good for snow in March in the Pyranies & they closed the upper route out of SJPDP next winter until March 31. You best make sure your bag is good to -10 c as many places have no heat. Good rain gear is a must.
Keith
I hope you have a wonderfull time I am sure it will be.Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Thanks MT. Never thought of gloves and I'm Getting a 3 season bag. Interesting how easy it is to see something EXTRA you must have. It's never (or rarely) what to leave out. At least the sleeping bag recommended is both small & light.
The good thing about getting on this forum early (I joined 12 months in advance of my start date) is not just all the advice & info, but you can get your bits gradually. Great for older folks newly on a pension. So far I've bought shoes and backpack. One thing I've seen mentioned a few times is a fleece 'vest'. In Ireland, where I come from that's a waistcoat or body warmer. Good ideal as another layer. One has to balance warmth against size/weight in the pack.
Thanks to everyone for your tuppence-worth. All so generous and helpful.
Robert
Ps. I love the handles we use online: Lucy Longpath/ C Clearly .. catch my eye.
Buen Camino! My neighbor and I will be walking around March 20 from Pamplona... maybe we'll see you along the way!Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Intrigued by this! No experience with walking in real cold. Lowest around 14C, have never needed more than a tshirt and long pants. Planning to start CF in early April when it could be up to 10C less than I'm used to. What causes heat casualties in winter? I do realise a tshirt won't cut it, but don't want to overdo the warms.A personal note, I was a Marine Combat Corpsman and I treated more heat casualties in the winter than I did in the summer.
Intrigued by this! No experience with walking in real cold. Lowest around 14C, have never needed more than a tshirt and long pants. Planning to start CF in early April when it could be up to 10C less than I'm used to. What causes heat casualties in winter? I do realise a tshirt won't cut it, but don't want to overdo the warms.
Walked back in April/May, 66, married 40 and Irish too. So we got a lot in common except I carried a slightly bigger pack and had to send home about 3kg. Should have known better having made the same mistake on my first camino. Have a great time. It will be an awesome experience but dont listen when others say they enjoyed every minute. We all have some down in the dumps days but thankfully not too many. By the way, contact the Irish society where you can buy an Irish credencial and a backpack patch. Buen CaminoGreat forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Hey there! I will be walking fromSJPP March 2016 celebrating my 65th birthday!!Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Keep me posted.Wow Lori. That's distance. I'm doing about one 5/6 L most weeks but not all. We still have 5 months anyway. Some say you can 'train on the road'. I will up my distance and frequency though. Soon ..... Honest.
Hi BOBCAT,Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
I hiked the CF last year (30 April - 3 June) at the age of 66; the first 10 days were rough but it got better. In 27 years in an Army career, I never blistered like I did on the Camino - fortunately there’s a lot of folks along the path who are terrific with advice and treatment. In Santiago we all agreed we’d pushed too fast, but transatlantic flights don’t wait. Six weeks ought to be perfect for you and your planning sounds spot-on so far. Buen Camino!Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
You’ll have a great time - great experiences and fantastic memories. I may have an opportunity to go again in 2020. Just as an aside, I came back thru Dublin and drove up to Lough Derg for the 3-day Pilgrimage. An amazing experience; and in a different way, just as rigorous as the Camino. Best wishes for an easy boot break-in, don’t skimp on good socks - they’re worth their weight in gold. Buen Camino,Thanks @NNMI70.
I've graduated to be a 69 year old. now, I AM training more seriously: 5 days a week. Short stages to begin: 3k, 4k, 6.5k. Easy does it, but a little extra each day. Extra weight. Extra distance.
Carrying a reasonably full bag too: 9, 12, 14lbs (4kg, 5kg, 6kg +/-). My target is 8kg, give or take. Physio suggests I get used to carrying 10 kg+, then the Camino bag, with water and food and a wet towel, will be a doddle... we'll see how THAT plan works.
Shoes from 2015 (barely used to be honest) comfortable but ... now separating from the sole!! Not good. New ones are called for I suspect. Soooo, suck it up... buy them... break them in.
Wish me luck. "Keep calm. Carry on". LOL
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