Workers3233
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We have two weeks Easter holidays in 2020 and my two kids are now capable of walking 4-6 hours daily
Ideally want to do the first half of the camino and come back another time to do the second half.
Any advice? Am I mad doing it alone with two kids?
That was really helpful (and inspiring)! One question in response- how do you know places have space for you if you are playing each day by ear? I am a planner by nature so winging it doesn't come naturally!!!Well I dragged along eight kids and an octogenarian grandpa (with hubby).... then went back on my own with the four youngest kids (three times) so perhaps I’m not the best to certify your sanity!
Actually, taking two kids is easier than one, I think.
Not having pressure to finish at a particular place will be useful too because you can play each day by ear.
A pack of cards, tennis ball and journals are the luxuries I would take with kids - let them use them after they have showered, done their hand washing and cooked some food! (Of course you may prefer to eat out and use washing machines and give them a device to while away their free hours - your call!!)
Crikey really?! Better get my skates on then.My advice if you are walking during Semana Santa and plan on booking any lodging is to DO IT NOW. I'm finding lodgings in the cities already filling up.
I had thought the total camino was approx 28 days of walking. Therefore finish on day 14 and come back and do days 15 to 28 another time?What do you consider as “the first half of the Camino“? My guess is that you and your young ones might walk 250-300km during your two week break, so you might look for a starting point about 500km from Santiago?
We have two weeks Easter holidays in 2020 and my two kids are now capable of walking 4-6 hours daily
Ideally want to do the first half of the camino and come back another time to do the second half.
Any advice? Am I mad doing it alone with two kids?
I had thought the total camino was approx 28 days of walking. Therefore finish on day 14 and come back and do days 15 to 28 another time?
I always walk the Camino during April and May. I've seen a lot of kids. They will do fine if you let them set the pace (within reason). Buen CaminoWe have two weeks Easter holidays in 2020 and my two kids are now capable of walking 4-6 hours daily
Ideally want to do the first half of the camino and come back another time to do the second half.
Any advice? Am I mad doing it alone with two kids?
I would not take them over the Pyrenees in April. The weather can be atrocious at times. If by any chance Napolean is opened when you get there, bear in mind that there will still be places with snow on the ground and deep mud where the snow has melted. In 2018, I set off in mid April in glorious sunshine, stopped the night in Orisson and made it to Roncesvalles next day in a fierce blizzard. I had hoped to go back next year and start walking on April 1st but even if Napolean is opened, I am going Valcarlos. Back in 2013, an American lady took her two girls, one who was 8, and although the 'girls on the way', as they called themselves, were experienced hill walkers, the youngest found it tough doing the Valcarlos route. Personally, with two kids, I would think about starting in either Roncesvalles or PamplonaWe have two weeks Easter holidays in 2020 and my two kids are now capable of walking 4-6 hours daily
Ideally want to do the first half of the camino and come back another time to do the second half.
Any advice? Am I mad doing it alone with two kids?
I will be doing the camino from SJPDP with grandkids who will be 8 and 10 by the time we undertake it, and will use 45 to 50 days. Doing half the camino in two weeks would be intense and rushed for two kids that age-- they would not have the opportunity to take in much of the culture aside from, say, the food. And that would be letting alone the spiritual side of the camino. ...just saying, and this is strictly my opinion. Others might have very different opinions and experiences.I had thought the total camino was approx 28 days of walking. Therefore finish on day 14 and come back and do days 15 to 28 another time?
This is v helpful advice. I.have been meaning.toask for advice about.where to start and whether the pyrenees would be safe in April but you've answered my question already. If we start midway then how does that affect the decision on whether we walked the whole camino? Sorry for my ignorance I just wasnr sure about the rules of starting and finishing etc.I would not take them over the Pyrenees in April. The weather can be atrocious at times. If by any chance Napolean is opened when you get there, bear in mind that there will still be places with snow on the ground and deep mud where the snow has melted. In 2018, I set off in mid April in glorious sunshine, stopped the night in Orisson and made it to Roncesvalles next day in a fierce blizzard. I had hoped to go back next year and start walking on April 1st but even if Napolean is opened, I am going Valcarlos. Back in 2013, an American lady took her two girls, one who was 8, and although the 'girls on the way', as they called themselves, were experienced hill walkers, the youngest found it tough doing the Valcarlos route. Personally, with two kids, I would think about starting in either Roncesvalles or Pamplona
Wherever you start, you'll be starting at the start. When you finish you'll have walked the whole Camino from start to finish. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that starting in SJPP or Le Puy or wherever makes someone's Camino more valid or whole than someone else's.If we start midway then how does that affect the decision on whether we walked the whole camino?
Thanks @Raggy much appreciated. I am less worried about a certificate and finishing than enjoying our first camino. Where would you recommend we start bearing in mind I'm coming from London Gatwick in early April and I think should avoid the pyrenees area given how young the kids are. Thoughts welcome!Wherever you start, you'll be starting at the start. When you finish you'll have walked the whole Camino from start to finish. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that starting in SJPP or Le Puy or wherever makes someone's Camino more valid or whole than someone else's.
@saint Mike hola to you! Thanks for this too. I anticipate coming back another time to finish in Santiago so would welcome suggestions on a suitable start for the three of us bearing in mind the kids' ages and that it's just me (female) with them! We fly from gatwick and I'd like to avoid snowy passes.Hola @Workers3233 Where you start and where you finish is entirely up to you and your companions(involve them in the decision making process). If a compostella is your goal then you need to complete the last 100 km into Santiago (so roughly Saria). If you start further east (Pamplona; Burgos or Leon) and after your 14 days decide to go home you can return and resume from any point - you just need to complete that last 100 km.
If you were to start in Ponferrada as was suggested then you can walk from there to Santiago (its well more than 100km) and you and your companions will all receive the compostellas (just remember that each of you will need a pilgrim passport and you will need to collect two stamps per day from Saria onwards.) This stamp collection is not onerous, virtually all churches; bars; as well as accommodation places have pilgrim stamps.
(Note the age qualifications as mentioned by @ t2andreo above).
Buen Camino.
That depends on where you start and how far you walk each day. When I walked with my son in 2016 we took 37 days from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela (and 4 more days to Finisterre). That was with 2 rest days. He found that walking 25 km or more day after day really brought on the blisters and they were much more manageable when we cut the daily distance down a bit.I had thought the total camino was approx 28 days of walking. Therefore finish on day 14 and come back and do days 15 to 28 another time?
This is v helpful advice. I.have been meaning.toask for advice about.where to start and whether the pyrenees would be safe in April but you've answered my question already. If we start midway then how does that affect the decision on whether we walked the whole camino? Sorry for my ignorance I just wasnr sure about the rules of starting and finishing etc.
I don't know much about the CF - and I definitely think that the CF is best suited to your needs. You'll get better advice about the CF from the others here.Where would you recommend we start bearing in mind I'm coming from London Gatwick in early April
You can start anywhere you want. To get a compostela you need to start 100km from Santiago and have the sellos to prove it. Other than that, there are no rules. I have started from both St Jean and Pamplona and no, I did not break any rules because, apart from the 100km rule, there arent any rules. Just go do it and enjoy your time with your kids. In fact, I just created a new rule. You must enjoy your kids growing up and treasure every moment with themThis is v helpful advice. I.have been meaning.toask for advice about.where to start and whether the pyrenees would be safe in April but you've answered my question already. If we start midway then how does that affect the decision on whether we walked the whole camino? Sorry for my ignorance I just wasnr sure about the rules of starting and finishing etc.
hi againThe OP has said finishing in Santiago is NOT a need.....a very easy starting point would be Pamplona. The route from there is very scenic and not too demanding. They would pass the iconic statues at Alto de Perdón which I suspect the children will like.
If they only manage less than 10km a day they’ll be able to get to their airport from Logrono. If they can do 20km they might get as far as Burgos. (My 8yo did Pamplona to Burgos in two weeks)
In fact, if it were me, I’d be inclined to book flights into Pamplona and out of Burgos (and if they didn’t quite make it to Burgos in time they could catch a bus or taxi to get them there)
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