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You will do great. Buen Camino to you JennFirstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
Buen Camino just one step at a time and be warned it is addictive.Firstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
G'day Jenn - you will get lots of hugs and smiles. As you are starting from Astorga your first day will involve are fairly tiring climb so take in slow and steady - remember to drink lots of water - maybe 2 litrs and to stop (say) every hour for 10 mins and 20 mins/30 mins after 3 hours. If Rabanal is your destination then I recommend the Gaucelmo Albergue - its run by the Confraternity of St James (a UK group) many of their hospitaleros are from Australia/US/Canada as well as UK. Oh do you have your stone (from home) for the Cruz de Ferro?? Buen Camino.Firstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino. The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday. Please say helloJenn from Australia
What a wonderful quote Margaret, I think I might just have all those things in abundance. Thank you for all your support, each and every response and new post on here, whether it to point me in the right direction, encourage, inform, humour me or kick my butt, has been much appreciated. (A month ago the plan was to set off with a tour group, I'm so glad you all talked me out of it, particularly you NidaRosastep, step, step......
Eek how on earth did I do that, thanks for overlookingHi Jenn - one small comment - you have posted this on the "bike/cycling" section of the Camino. But not to worry - we know what you meant.
Thank you I have the first few nights bookedG'day Jenn - you will get lots of hugs and smiles. As you are starting from Astorga your first day will involve are fairly tiring climb so take in slow and steady - remember to drink lots of water - maybe 2 litrs and to stop (say) every hour for 10 mins and 20 mins/30 mins after 3 hours. If Rabanal is your destination then I recommend the Gaucelmo Albergue - its run by the Confraternity of St James (a UK group) many of their hospitaleros are from Australia/US/Canada as well as UK. Oh do you have your stone (from home) for the Cruz de Ferro?? Buen Camino.
Firstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
Good on you Jen, safe travels, buen Camino I leave Aug 20, slightly terrified but also super excited KezFirstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
You will find out everything you need to know on here Kez but yes terrified is exactly how I'm feeling, more about the transit than anything else. But I feel that I'll be fine once I'm walking. It's been a longgg day waiting for a midnight flight, I can't tell you how many times I have repackedGood on you Jen, safe travels, buen Camino I leave Aug 20, slightly terrified but also super excited Kez
Which airport are you transiting through and how long do you have?You will find out everything you need to know on here Kez but yes terrified is exactly how I'm feeling, more about the transit than anything else. But I feel that I'll be fine once I'm walking. It's been a longgg day waiting for a midnight flight, I can't tell you how many times I have repacked
Melb- KL-Dubai-Madrid, then crash overnight and bus to Astorga. I'm exhausted just thinking about the next 24 hours of transit. I'm there for 22 days so will go to the coast after Santiago.Which airport are you transiting through and how long do you have?
Melb- KL-Dubai-Madrid, then crash overnight and bus to Astorga. I'm exhausted just thinking about the next 24 hours of transit. I'm there for 22 days so will go to the coast after Santiago.
Yes warrandyte is stunning, I'm proud to call it home. And plenty of hills for Camino training.
Firstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
Wonderful post Blaster……beautifully put - and will be an inspiration for others. MaggieJen
G'day from the Blue Mountains. We are jealous and excited for you. You will have a life changing experience and will learn a lot about yourself.
It may help to know that if you are scared or anxious, that is great and remember, everyone else is.
We found we cried and laughed, shed kilos (twice at a post office), learnt how to live more simply and loved the decluttering aspect for the first time in our lives that leaves more room for a filling of the soul if appropriate to you.
It seemed to work for us that the first third was for the body and we got fitter, the second for the mind and we settled down and the third was for the soul...it was hard and we had to listen to our bodies and stop and sort out issues such as hotspots as soon as they started.
Everyone we know had a "breakdown" where things got too much and we had a "why are we doing" this moment and pushing through that with fantastic help and love from like minded, mixed nationality, brother and sister pilgrims forged us a little more in the fire of the walk.
You will make some friends you will keep for the rest of your life!
It was good to always keep our main goal in mind but be flexible in our thinking and we accepted that if we had to send our packs ahead or take a bus etc, we would - that was a comfort and we never actually needed it.
There are many Aussies on the Way now, several from our group up here.
Buen Camino mate!
WoW Jen thats a trip and a half my previous was Melbourne to KL then Paris and a train down to St Jean, this trip Melb - Hong Kong- Madrid and train to Valencia (or plane) and then 3 months hoping to do the Levante and Protugesse. I am so excited for you even though this is my third trip (I told you it was addictive) I still fill nervous, scared , excited like the little boy waiting on Christmas night. Well I know you will have a great trip and your family will be so sick about hearing all about it day after day after day........BUEN CAMINOMelb- KL-Dubai-Madrid, then crash overnight and bus to Astorga. I'm exhausted just thinking about the next 24 hours of transit. I'm there for 22 days so will go to the coast after Santiago.
Yes warrandyte is stunning, I'm proud to call it home. And plenty of hills for Camino training.
Awww thank you so much, that's great encouragement, I do imagine this challenge will have emotional sections. I was nearly in tears even as my daughter dropped me at the airport. It's such a long trip. I'm only a third the way there. Looking forward to letting goJenn-- an hour before I started walking from SJPDP I started crying like a baby, scared to death. Much like you, never walked more than 5 miles, used to creature comforts, about to turn 50. I pushed myself out of the door...and within 30 minutes found myself on the road making friends with a lovely Mother-Daughter team from Denver (CO). Within 7-8 hours I arrived to Roncesvalles on a day that became one of the best days of my life. Imagine that....a day that started with me crying.
Your Camino is on the other side of fear...go get it!!Buen Camino!!
Jen
G'day from the Blue Mountains. We are jealous and excited for you. You will have a life changing experience and will learn a lot about yourself.
It may help to know that if you are scared or anxious, that is great and remember, everyone else is.
We found we cried and laughed, shed kilos (twice at a post office), learnt how to live more simply and loved the decluttering aspect for the first time in our lives that leaves more room for a filling of the soul if appropriate to you.
It seemed to work for us that the first third was for the body and we got fitter, the second for the mind and we settled down and the third was for the soul...it was hard and we had to listen to our bodies and stop and sort out issues such as hotspots as soon as they started.
Everyone we know had a "breakdown" where things got too much and we had a "why are we doing" this moment and pushing through that with fantastic help and love from like minded, mixed nationality, brother and sister pilgrims forged us a little more in the fire of the walk.
You will make some friends you will keep for the rest of your life!
It was good to always keep our main goal in mind but be flexible in our thinking and we accepted that if we had to send our packs ahead or take a bus etc, we would - that was a comfort and we never actually needed it.
There are many Aussies on the Way now, several from our group up here.
Buen Camino mate!
Oh my god I'm staying there too tomorrow night!! I will be thrilled to meet her, please fb Jenn Daverington -Jenn: I have been helping a friend prepare for her camino. She is starting from Astorga on Friday as well! It is her first time in Europe, first time hiking and she is nervous. She will arrive in Astoga at the Hotel Gaudi at 5:30 pm on Thursday and plans to start walking around 7-7:30 am Friday. Her name is Teresa and she is petite with brown hair -wearing an REI backpack. I hope you meet!
Oh I'll miss her im there Friday at 2.30, walking Sat morn, what country is she from? We may still meet up somewhereJenn: I have been helping a friend prepare for her camino. She is starting from Astorga on Friday as well! It is her first time in Europe, first time hiking and she is nervous. She will arrive in Astoga at the Hotel Gaudi at 5:30 pm on Thursday and plans to start walking around 7-7:30 am Friday. Her name is Teresa and she is petite with brown hair -wearing an REI backpack. I hope you meet!
Go to the amazing chocolate shop - buy a big bar and take some with you! Very envious of you - wish I could do it all again....have a wonderful time. UltreiaFirstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
Oh I'll miss her im there Friday at 2.30, walking Sat morn, what country is she from? We may still meet up somewhere
Getting to the start line is the hardest part. After that all you have to do is put one foot
in front of the other.
Buen Camino
If it's any inspiration, my wife and I are mid way on our Camino from Ponferrada to SdC and are amazed at the number of young women traveling on their own on the Camino (many Aussies I might add).Firstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
hi jenn I am a 73 man, who did it last year and one thing is sure you will never forget the people you meet and the places your travel will take you. I was worried but within two hours all my anxt went and I had the most wonderful experience . I envy you as you have no idea what to expect ,but you will not be disappointed . have a great Camino . oh lucky you. djbFirstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
I am having such a wonderful time and can't quite believe the coincidences of the interactions of people o amhi jenn I am a 73 man, who did it last year and one thing is sure you will never forget the people you meet and the places your travel will take you. I was worried but within two hours all my anxt went and I had the most wonderful experience . I envy you as you have no idea what to expect ,but you will not be disappointed . have a great Camino . oh lucky you. djb
I ate an entire block last night omg!!'Go to the amazing chocolate shop - buy a big bar and take some with you! Very envious of you - wish I could do it all again....have a wonderful time. Ultreia
Oh Jen. You are from my neck of the woods. I live in Ringwood!! I walked the CF last year. Have a wonderful time, you will not be sorry you 'unjoined' the tour group. Keep us updated on the forum. Buen CaminoAnd my last job today other than finalising my pack, is to collect a little rock from my Yarra river in warrandyte. Oh and to work out my phone plan.
We also walked from Astoria last year and it is beautiful. Do make the detour to samos and stay in the beautiful monastery there but just be aware that we did.my see too many people on that dtrrtvh and it was through A lot of quiet forests and deserted villages so best to hitch up with someone for this stretch. Burn caminoJean,
I second Mspath's very wise answer...yes, indeed!
You'll probably be surprised at how well you do. In 2014 a friend and I did as a first Camino Leon to SdC in about 2 weeks; we had a blast and walked the entire way. We have at least 15 years on you and didn't do much if anything in the way of training.
Slowly slowly step by step and you'll get there. It's amazing, really, but it's no more scary than that simple step by step by step. And you know how to do that! Focus on being present for each moment and listening to what the body needs...and the goal arrives quite magically.
From Astorga to Santiago is a beautiful part of the Camino...and you won't be short of smiling faces for company.
You'll be right...buen camino and ultreia!
Its unfortunate that Teresa "didn't enjoy the hills" - meeting the challenge of the Galician Hills is one of the hallmarks of the Camino. Just take it slow and steady (especially those "down-slopes") - it's not a race. If you need a day off - take it; if you find a town you like - stop and smell the roses (stay there that night). Our learned colleague David (he of first aid fame) recommends having not plans for your Camino - other than for the first two/three days. (But that's just him). Its now Sunday night in Oz (raining on the coast south of Sydney) so you might have past the Cruz this day. The view back to the east over Astorga is impressive!! Buen CaminoSuch a small world, My new friend Cathy from USA also met Teresa at the airport but is a day ahead of us. I believe she didn't enjoy the hills to el Acebo so catching taxi to Sarria tomorrow. We will probably miss her now. No one is alone on the Camino.
Firstly thank you Ivar and the wonderful members of this site for your passionate advice and guidance during my one month (only!) preparation for the Camino.
The day has come. I'm all set for my 24 hour flight tonight, and having last minute jitters about the craziness for a single woman in her 40's who has never been to Europe, never hiked for more than a few hours (though avid daily walker) to leave her teenagers, creature comforts and job behind for a few weeks, feeling that she MUST walk the Camino. I hope to see some reassuring smiling faces out there, commencing from Astorga on Friday.
Please say hello
Jenn from Australia
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