April 21, from St Jean Pied de Port

[LauraS]

Flying into Biarritz on 4/20. Starting Camino Frances on 04/21/2016 from St Jean Pied de Port.

 

[SYates]

Buen Camino! SY

 

[NualaOC]

Buen Camino Laura! I hope it's a very special experience for you.

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Laura and Buen Camino.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Flying into Biarritz on 4/20. Starting Camino Frances on 04/21/2016 from St Jean Pied de Port.

Hi Laura, I find it a great time of the year to walk.
Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Oh, April? Won't there be snow up there? :Oo

 

[Seabird]

Wonderfulf! I'll be about a week ahead of you, but given my leisurely place, you may catch up to me!

 

[LauraS]

Oh, April? Won't there be snow up there? :Oo

I hope there will not be any snow. From what I understand April-May is a good time to walk. This is my first time so I'm not sure what to expect. Buen Camino!

 

[LauraS]

Wonderfulf! I'll be about a week ahead of you, but given my leisurely place, you may catch up to me!

I have about 27 days to walk. Hoping to get to Santiago, walking the whole way. I hope to see you. Buen Camino

 

[SYates]

I hope there will not be any snow. From what I understand April-May is a good time to walk. This is my first time so I'm not sure what to expect. Buen Camino!

It is and with the non-winter we have at the moment in Europe I would be surprised if there is any heavy snow at that time. Please don't sue me if I am wrong ;-) Buen Camino, SY

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Oh, April? Won't there be snow up there? :Oo

Last April there was still some snow up there. Picture was taken on the 19th of April.
Wish you well, Peter.

 

[LauraS]

Peter, were you still able to walk with the snow?

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Peter, were you still able to walk with the snow?

Yes, that was no problem what so ever.
Wish you well ,Peter.

 

[LJ2016]

Flying into Biarritz on 4/20. Starting Camino Frances on 04/21/2016 from St Jean Pied de Port.

My husband and I are arriving in Biarritz on the 20th (16:30) and are looking to share taxi to SJPP - anyone interested?

 

[LauraS]

My husband and I are arriving in Biarritz on the 20th (16:30) and are looking to share taxi to SJPP - anyone interested?

We arrive at 13:05 on the 20th. This may work. I will discuss with my travel partner and let you know

 

[LauraS]

We arrive at 13:05 on the 20th. This may work. I will discuss with my travel partner and let you know

We have obtained transportation with Express Bourricot. Seems like a good option.

 

[LJ2016]

We have obtained transportation with Express Bourricot. Seems like a good option.

Sounds good.. we'll see you on the walk !!

 

[LauraS]

Sounds good.. we'll see you on the walk !!

Looking forward to it!

 

[Sheila MacCrimmon]

Hi Laura, Sounds like I will see you Orisson if you're staying over on April 21! My little travel group is reserved there April 21. Five Canadians - two of us from Nova Scotia, one from Saskatchewan, and two from Manitoba, so a good cross-section of our fair country. It is my first Camino, and I'm eager (and just a bit anxious about those first couple of days). Buen Camino. See you along the way.
- Sheila

 

[LJ2016]

Terrific Sheila - we'll see you in Orisson. I think the waiting is the toughest part. We've read the lists and checked everything twice and now we're starting to doubt ourselves. We did the last part of the Camino in 2012 - loved it and wanted to do the whole walk. How lucky are we to have this opportunity !

See you there
Laurel

 

[LauraS]

Hi Laura, Sounds like I will see you Orisson if you're staying over on April 21! My little travel group is reserved there April 21. Five Canadians - two of us from Nova Scotia, one from Saskatchewan, and two from Manitoba, so a good cross-section of our fair country. It is my first Camino, and I'm eager (and just a bit anxious about those first couple of days). Buen Camino. See you along the way.
- Sheila

Hola Shiela,
We are actually planning to walk to Orisson on the 20th. We get into SJPP early afternoon. This may be good or bad planning on our part, but I guess we won't know until we begin. I'm sure we will see you along the way. We are getting very excited! Buen Camino,
Laura

 

[SuzanO]

Flying into Biarritz on 4/20. Starting Camino Frances on 04/21/2016 from St Jean Pied de Port.

I fly out the 19th! I plan on beginning also on the 21st allowing time to get to SJPDP. Is this your first Camino? Do you feel prepared? I've been walking daily, but still have a few last minute purchases for my backpack.

 

[Sheila MacCrimmon]

I fly out the 19th! I plan on beginning also on the 21st allowing time to get to SJPDP. Is this your first Camino? Do you feel prepared? I've been walking daily, but still have a few last minute purchases for my backpack.

It's my first Camino, yes. I'm not sure how to know if I'm 'prepared', but, like you, I've been walking regularly with weighted pack and hills. And, the last minute packing is freaking me out just a bit; it's a challenge to pack light for weeks of living from a pack.

 

[SuzanO]

It's my first Camino, yes. I'm not sure how to know if I'm 'prepared', but, like you, I've been walking regularly with weighted pack and hills. And, the last minute packing is freaking me out just a bit; it's a challenge to pack light for weeks of living from a pack.

I had a friend over who has walked the Camino and she was a great help. My pack got lighter! Not only that, I found things in my closet that would work. I'd purchased things that I needed, but weren't "me" and oddly it felt as if I weren't the one going on this pilgrimage. Since finding my own things, I've been more enthusiastic. Gaiters or no gaiters? I hear both. What do you think?

 

[Sheila MacCrimmon]

I had a friend over who has walked the Camino and she was a great help. My pack got lighter! Not only that, I found things in my closet that would work. I'd purchased things that I needed, but weren't "me" and oddly it felt as if I weren't the one going on this pilgrimage. Since finding my own things, I've been more enthusiastic. Gaiters or no gaiters? I hear both. What do you think?

I know what you mean about things that 'aren't me'. I'm known for wearing bracelets and scarves, and prefer leggings under skirts. So, I've simply found lightweight versions to bring 'me' to the walk. I've met with a few who have walked, and each has a different packing list. This week, I'm living out of my pack just to see if I have the things I need and to help sift out the extraneous. Gaiters, not taking them. Nor poles. If I need them, I'll buy them. When are you starting out, Suzan?

 

[Sheila MacCrimmon]

I know what you mean about things that 'aren't me'. I'm known for wearing bracelets and scarves, and prefer leggings under skirts. So, I've simply found lightweight versions to bring 'me' to the walk. I've met with a few who have walked, and each has a different packing list. This week, I'm living out of my pack just to see if I have the things I need and to help sift out the extraneous. Gaiters, not taking them. Nor poles. If I need them, I'll buy them. When are you starting out, Suzan?

Oh, I see that you're also starting on the 21st too! Staying in Orisson?

 

[SuzanO]

Oh, I see that you're also starting on the 21st too! Staying in Orisson?

I'm flying into Bilbao, staying the night and taking the next day to get to SJPdP. I hope to begin on the 22nd and will make that first night in Roncesvalles. I'm buying poles in SJ so I don't have to check my pack.

 

[Sheila MacCrimmon]

I'm flying into Bilbao, staying the night and taking the next day to get to SJPdP. I hope to begin on the 22nd and will make that first night in Roncesvalles. I'm buying poles in SJ so I don't have to check my pack.

Nice! I'll watch for you along the way after Roncesvalles.

 

[Joodle]

I thought it was the first day over the Pyrenees that you needed your poles the most? For climbing up and descending into Roncesvalles. Am I wrong? Do you really need poles anywhere else?

 

[SuzanO]

I thought it was the first day over the Pyrenees that you needed your poles the most? For climbing up and descending into Roncesvalles. Am I wrong? Do you really need poles anywhere else?

Poles as I understand it, take the weight off your back and knees. You use your arms to help carry the weight. It isn't just stability. I think poles are a must. Also, I've booked a room in Roncesvalles and also planning to ship my backpack to there for the first day.

 

[SuzanO]

Nice! I'll watch for you along the way after Roncesvalles.

I've booked a room in Roncesvalles for the 22nd. Will see you on the Camino!