I did the last section of the Camino from Sarria to Santiago in the first week of October 2005, joining my elder son who had started at SJL.
I enjoyed it so much that I am returning to do the complete trip in October 2006. Having been a soldier for many years, I was in two minds about "enjoying" a daily trek of 25/30kms, but I have to admit, it was fantastic.
The walking was not a problem at the age of 56, but the real joy was the people you met along the way.
What was surprising was the number of "single" ladies of an uncertain age who were up for a challenge, and who showed considerable guts in doing something they had not done before, in a foriegn land, far from home.
Nobody need be alone on the Camino if they want company on the walk, and anyone in trouble finds they have a lot of friends to lend a hand.
Nobody cares less who you are, what you are or how much money and status you might have, every morning you strap on your boots and yomp like everyone else. The Camino is a great leveller.
One day I was joined by a lady from Germany who was very cultured and I suspect wealthy. I asked her when was the last time she had taken her clothes off in a room full of people she did not know!! She laughed and said "But this is the camino!"
Communal living in the Refuges will probably be a bit of a shock for the first night, after that, who cares.
In early October there were mostly older pilgrims ie: over 35 and it was not crowded.
My own advice is to travel as light as you can. Forget Satnav, guide books, vast amounts of toiletries, endless changes of clothing. You need good base layer garments with a high wick factor. If you are doing the walk in summer consider not taking a sleeping bag and just take a single duvet cover to sleep in and wear one set of your base layer garments. Take the best lightweight walking boots you can afford and invest in good high wick socks.
Buy a large box of Compeed. Best thing invented for blisters. You can buy them in ever increasing sizes along the route!!
Most importantly, have fun, don't worry and if in doubt, ask. Your only problem will be in sifting through the 20 sets of comflicting advice!!!!!
Covey
Winchester - UK