Camino Ingles 1st Sept 2012

[Al the optimist]

Hi all
Overweight, nothing energetic for 10 years, 63 years young & retired, and definitely, definitely crazy!!!
Decided 4 weeks ago to do Camino Frances when I'm 65, so I have decided on doing Ingles first to get some idea of what I will be up against. I have been researching (hence I found this forum). Thanks everyone for information shared. I have followed advice and ended up with a pack weight of 5.5 kg + water/food. Started walking every other day two weeks ago 4k to check boots, then 12k, then 16k with 2.5 kg, then 16k with 5kg, then 24k with 2.5kg, then 24k with 7.5k (gave me backache), 24k with 2.5kg (to check back OK). NO BLISTERS!!! Unfortunately around my home (Wolverhampton England) it's pretty flat so all walking has been on canal tow-paths, albeit mostly rutted, flooded and muddy in the pouring rain (great summer we are having NOT). Planning on taking 6 days (Pontedeume, Betzanos, Meson de Vento using Taxi, Bruma, Siguero,SDC). Anyone else around then?
Buen Camino

 

[dreemr]

Hey Al,

Nice to hear another crazy old wind doing this.

I'm planning on starting in Ferol on Sept. 5. Not sure how long it's going to take me, so I don't have a schedule, just going to take my time and slog along. I want to go to Muxia and then to Finisterre to finish. I live in southwest Florida where the highest hills are speedbumps, but it is quite warm so if it is hot in Spain I'll be used to it. Do you have any knowledge about the weather? How about the latest protests. I'm starting to get a little concerned about the conditions. I fly into Madrid and bussing to Ferrol. I just hope they still like tourists.

It would be nice to bump into you but I think you'll be ahead of me.

Buen Camino
Bill

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Al and Bill! Good luck with your planning.

Al - it's tempting to think of the Camino Ingles as easier than the Frances because it's much shorter, but it has its own challenges. There are fewer accommodation options so you have to be clearer about where you are heading to each day. Also fewer pilgrims around for socialising and just to reassure you that you're on route. If you can do the Ingles you can do the Frances in my opinion.

You mention your 6 days and 6 stopping points. Are you aware that Bruma and Meson do Vento are basically the same place? Some people walk the 20 mins or so off route to Meson if they want to stay in a hostal or go to a restaurant, as they're just a mile or so apart.

Bill - I wouldn't worry too much about the protests. It's very unlikely that a pilgrim would be a target, and the scallop shell is recognised around Spain. Have you considered flying up to La Coruna from Madrid? It can be cheap booked in advance and is certainly quicker. Easyjet fly that route

Buen Camino both!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola

Tyrek - I suspect they are breaking the Bruma stage into two days.

Al and Bill if you need an up todate copy of the guide please e mail me.

John

 

[tyrrek]

Tyrek - I suspect they are breaking the Bruma stage into two days.

Ah yes. I was a bit confused by the taxi reference, but confusing me doesn't take much. On my Ingles I had been a bit sick, so I broke stage 2 at Mino, which involved a nice afternoon by the beach. 8)

Buen Camino!

 

[Al the optimist]

Hi all, thanks for replying

I mean to stop at Bar Julia and get taxi to Meson, back in morning and then on to Bruma. That way I am not challenging myself so much on that long and often commented on leg! (Chicken or sensible? Who cares which - haha). I also get to enjoy the much vaunted hospitality at both!

I am flying into A Coruna from Heathrow on Vueling on the 28th of August, bus to Ferrol on the 31st, starting out on the 1st and hoping to finish on the 8th. I will be in SDL until I fly back on the 12th.

So I have plenty of leaway and time to enjoy A Coruna and SDL.

 

[Al the optimist]

PS

I am just of to my local for a cheese evening where I am going to twist some arms for sponsorship as I am collecting for charity during my walk

Buen Camino
Allan

 

[Al the optimist]

Thanks John I received your email with the latest guide link.
I am very grateful for this and all that you do, you are my Camino Sensei (teacher)!
Tonight I collected over £100 sponsorship for my local hospice - it's a start.

Buen Caminos all
Allan

 

[DeadFred]

Hi Al .. Joe here , Arkansas Ozarks . 66 and planning the Frances in 2014 when I'm 68 with my wife and most recently a neighbor lady ... looking now at Sept mid to late . The two ladys are for support should I need to be carried which is a great possibility somewhere just west or east Orisson. :lol: . Like you I'm buffing up . Hopefully by then I will be ready and have a trekking physic of a 63 yr old :roll:

Looking forward to the aches, pains, and experiences of our Pilgrimage

Decided 4 weeks ago to do Camino Frances when I'm 65

 

[daesdaemar]

Hello to all,
My share of advice: I found the most difficult thing about the Ingles to be the hilly terrain. I also live in Southern Florida which is very flat. If at all possible try to do some walking up and down hills, or if not possible then try stairs. At least for me, I cannot stress how important it was to do hill/stair training (I have done the Ingles twice - both before and after hill training).
I believe best way to get to Ferrol if flying into Madrid is to catch a connecting flight to Santiago de Compostela and then bus to Ferrol. If flying into A Coruna from the UK, then bus to Ferrol.
BTW, I am 60.

 

[dreemr]

JW,

Thanks for the offer of the guide, I've got your 2011 guide so should I get an update or should you just pass along your phone number in case I get lost!

I do appreciate all of your input and information and thusly holding you responsible for my decision to do this (not too much pressure eh). Seriously you are an inspiration.

I think I'm still going to take the bus from Madrid airport to Ferrol. ALSA has one of their luxury busses going and I think it would be a nice way to see some Spanish countryside.

As a side question, does anybody know if the Madrid airport has lockers to rent to leave luggage?

If not I'll post in the travel section.

Thank you all on this wonderful forum for all the help.

Bill

 

[Al the optimist]

Well I'm packed! I fly to A Coruna tomorrow. I'm sitting here trying to find things to do to kill the time. I'm getting so impatient I have decided to start on Friday, a day earlier than I had originally planned. I'm a little anxious as it's my first walk and I am doing alone, but I am more excited than anxious.
I'm sitting here looking at my pack! I eventually got it down to 5 kilos exactly, so when I add water (I have a 3 litre Osprey hydration system) it should be a manageable weight for my 96 kilos and around the &.5 kilos I have been training with.
As you may have noticed from my post about pulling a woman from a canal that my Camino is already having it's own life, I wonder what more it has in store for me? Oh well, I'm going to watch "the Way" again and continue dreaming!
Buen Camino all
Allan

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Well done on the pack weight. I can seem to get below 7kg. Buen camino!

 

[Al the optimist]

Oh this is now getting weird! Missed flight so overnight in London. Arrived at Westminster abbey in time for evening choral service. The guest choir are from the church opposite my aunty's 150 miles away! Asked for a blessing and was given it in the "inner sacrum" Edward the first's chapel! Wow! My campion hasn't started and so much has already happened!

 

[tyrrek]

Oh this is now getting weird! Missed flight so overnight in London. Arrived at Westminster abbey in time for evening choral service. The guest choir are from the church opposite my aunty's 150 miles away! Asked for a blessing and was given it in the "inner sacrum" Edward the first's chapel! Wow! My campion hasn't started and so much has already happened!

Nightmare. On the positive side, I missed my flight back from my last Camino, which was supposed to end in Burgos. So I just carried on to Santiago and didn't regret it! A blessing in disguise! Buen Camino!