Camino Norte - where do I start for the 100km

Hi all,

I've found this forum tremendously useful to plan my first camino which starts next week. My friends are flying down from India to Madrid on the 18th and we wanted to walk the Norte (even though we speak no Spanish and it's our first Camino. Not too worried as we've trekked all over and survived )

I had a few questions I hoped you guys could help me with - we only have 10 walking days and then we all need to head back to work in our respective countries. We really wanted to get to Finisterre and so had planned about 5 days for the Camino to Santiago and then 3 days to Finisterre and one day back on the bus/ train to Madrid. My questions:

1. where is a good place for us to start (definitely over 100km so we earn the credential) and the best way to get there from Madrid. Right now I was thinking of the train to Lugo and then bus to the start point, whereever we decide it is

2. do we need to carry our cleeping bags in mid-April?

3. what do people usually do for lunch? stop somewhere for a sit-down meal or pack the makings of a sandwich

Thanks in advance!!

Thanks for your replies. I think we may start in Lugo and join the Frances from there.