Another Camino newbie

[Jen Fawkes]

Hello, another newbie here.
Firstly I have to say thank you to all of you who patiently answer peoples questions. Your site has been so helpful and so respectful of everyone asking questions.
We (hubby and I) will be starting our first Camino Frances next week (10th or 11th) from SJPDP. We have been travelling for several months now and need to have some luggage transferred to the end of the walk. I have heard that there is a service located next to the Camino registration office who can do this for us.
Does anyone have any experience of this or have any other suggestions.

Secondly, I keep hearing how busy the Camino Frances route is this year, but we are now in September, will it still be necessary to book our first night in Roncesvalles? or can we still take a risk that there will be a bed for us oldies!

If anyone else is starting out at the same time it would be lovely to meet up with you.
regards to you all
Jen

 

[Bradypus]

September is one of the busiest months of the year. For peace of mind it would probably be worth booking beds in Roncesvalles in advance - especially if you think that the hordes of sprinting youngsters might get there before you Ultreia!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

need to have some luggage transferred to the end of the walk. I have heard that there is a service located next to the Camino registration office who can do this for us.

Most luggage transfer is stage-by-stage on the Camino Frances. You can ship your luggage to Santiago by post, which might be expensive from France. Check out the service from Ivar in the link at the top of the page. His storage in Santiago is fairly near the cathedral.

we are now in September, will it still be necessary to book our first night in Roncesvalles?

Probably. The first half of September is still quite busy, though the numbers arriving in Santiago drop from over 2,000 per day to about 1,000 per day. Roncesvalles has an artificial bed shortage, so a reservation will help you.

 

[andycohn]

If you're going to Santiago, another option is Express Bourricot, which will pick up your bag / package at any albergue or hotel in SJPPP, and ship and store in Santiago. Expensive, though. www.expressbourricot.com.
You could also ship your bag forward one day to Roncesvalles in Spain, then use the Spanish post office (Correos) to ship a bag or package to anywhere on the Camino, and then hold it for you. They have a special Pac Peregrino. Instructions at: http://www.caminoconcorreos.com/en/envio-maletas.php.

 

[JohnMcM]

Hello, another newbie here.
Firstly I have to say thank you to all of you who patiently answer peoples questions. Your site has been so helpful and so respectful of everyone asking questions.
We (hubby and I) will be starting our first Camino Frances next week (10th or 11th) from SJPDP. We have been travelling for several months now and need to have some luggage transferred to the end of the walk. I have heard that there is a service located next to the Camino registration office who can do this for us.
Does anyone have any experience of this or have any other suggestions.

Secondly, I keep hearing how busy the Camino Frances route is this year, but we are now in September, will it still be necessary to book our first night in Roncesvalles? or can we still take a risk that there will be a bed for us oldies!

If anyone else is starting out at the same time it would be lovely to meet up with you.
regards to you all
Jen

Hi Jen,
Just a thought.

To make your Camino a little less fraught with logistics, less stressful and cheaper, have you considered starting from Pamplona. No cross border expense to have your things transported, and only a single transfer to SDC.

Buen (little luggage) Camino

 

[Jen Fawkes]

thank you all for your replies. I will be starting from SJPDP early next week. We have been travelling UK and France for 10 weeks and so are looking forward to the next adventure in our travels.

One final question, my son will be joining us in Leon to walk from there to Santiage with us. Can he pick up a passport there or should I get him one in SJPDP?

I hope that I can catch up with some of you starting around the same time as us. Thank you all for your information and support.

 

[poogeyejr]

It is easier if you have the passport when you meet up with your son. They are available in Leon, but having one in your hand will save you a trip out to find one.

 

[Jen Fawkes]

thank you, you have all been really helpful. I have enjoyed reading the threads and will return the favour when another newbie asks a question. Buen Camino...

 

[Jen Fawkes]

interesting, I cannot find any accommodation in Roncesvalles for 11th 12th or 13th September. not sure what to do now.This is so against what I thought the Camino pilgrimage would be - I didn't want to have to think and book ahead.... (I can almost see us bedding down on some hay in a barn!)

 

[mspath]

interesting, I cannot find any accommodation in Roncesvalles for 11th 12th or 13th September. not sure what to do now.This is so against what I thought the Camino pilgrimage would be - I didn't want to have to think and book ahead.... (I can almost see us bedding down on some hay in a barn!)

You might try in this camping which is down from Roncesvalles through Burguete passing several small pensions which probably will also be full. Continue straight through the town on N 135 to this camping which has a special rate and cabins for pilgrims.
http://www.campingurrobi.com/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camping-urrobi-5ks-ish-out-of-roncesvalles.24095/

 

[Jen Fawkes]

You might try in this camping which is down from Roncesvalles through Burguete passing several small pensions which probably will also be full. Continue straight through the town on N 135 to this camping which has a special rate and cabins for pilgrims.
http://www.campingurrobi.com/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camping-urrobi-5ks-ish-out-of-roncesvalles.24095/

Thank you MSPATH, we have secured accomodation at the camping ground. Had trouble booking online but when we rang they were very helpful. Feeling relieved that I can see to the end of day1!

 

[Jen Fawkes]

We've made it to the end of day 1. I am very tired!!!!! We are in the Camping Urrobi. They have bunkrooms for pilgrims and have given us a room to ourselves. Everything is spotless and the showers are wonderful. There does not seem to be any other pilgrims here.
Burgette also seemed empty so I'm wondering if all the hype about not finding a bed has settled somewhat. The track did not feel particularly crowed either. Anyhow, this is a great find, thanks th MSPATH, and now I have 5 kms less to walk tomorrow.

 

[JulieandPeter]

We've made it to the end of day 1. I am very tired!!!!! We are in the Camping Urrobi. They have bunkrooms for pilgrims and have given us a room to ourselves. Everything is spotless and the showers are wonderful. There does not seem to be any other pilgrims here.
Burgette also seemed empty so I'm wondering if all the hype about not finding a bed has settled somewhat. The track did not feel particularly crowed either. Anyhow, this is a great find, thanks th MSPATH, and now I have 5 kms less to walk tomorrow.

Buen Camino!

 

[Jen Fawkes]

I take back what I said. Apparently everyone who arrived at Roncesvalles after 4 pm seeking a bed missed out. But they did organise group taxis to take people to surrounding villages including Camping Urrobi, where we stayed.