Dan the Man
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances, 2015, 2017, 2019
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Was not a hiking virgin, but had not done a hike in about 20 years when I did my first Camino Frances with absolutely no plan and no training and no preparation and was 52 years old. No problem at all. Yeah, sure I had the whole sore knees, back and feet bit, but nothing bad enough to stop me. Take your time on the Camino. Know your limitations and all is well.Ok, so I have chosen my FIRST HIKE EVER to be over 700Km long! Why start small I say?
I know I can do it! It is funny that as I start to look at actually booking travel details, buying necessary items, doing some training, and now joining this forum, I get equally nervous and terribly excited at the same time!
My friends are giving betting odds on my completion..........SUCH NON BELIEVERS!
The closest friends know that I have thought about this for a long time. I have been mysteriously drawn to the walk, and I can not say why or how, but I know I have to do it!
I have questions that I'd love advice on:
Is there a most favourable European city to fly into from Toronto to get to St. Jean Pied De Porte with the most ease?
Boots vs Shoes.....i have read so much about the pros and cons of both. Any advice from those who have used both?
Is the Camino really as friendly as I have read about?
iPad vs iPhone?
Finally.....I can start Late July or anytime in August. I'd love advice form those who have done either
Thanks All,
Dan
Was not a hiking virgin, but had not done a hike in about 20 years when I did my first Camino Frances with absolutely no plan and no training and no preparation and was 52 years old. No problem at all. yeah, sure I had the whole sore knees, back and feet bit, but nothing bad enough to stop me. Take your time on the Camino. Know your limitations and all is well.
Wear hiking shoes. Non-waterproof, breathable, lightweight variety with grippy soles. Trail runners would work, too and get them a 1/2 size big and if you have wide feet make sure they have a big toe box.
Yes the Camino is as friendly as you have heard.
iPhone or iPad? up to you...which will suit your needs best.
My first Camino was mid-July through mid-August. I think that's the height of the walking season and there are a lot of pilgrims. Warmer weather but you don't have to pack as much clothes and can wear shorts everyday. I thought the weather was perfect. I never had a problem with room in albergues and I had no problems with the abundance of pilgrims. Some people on this forum don't like to see a lot of pilgrims on the Camino, but I thought it was pretty cool.
cheers
I was 66 on my first Camino,and believe me if I could do it you can.Buen Camino.Ok, so I have chosen my FIRST HIKE EVER to be over 700Km long! Why start small I say?
I know I can do it! It is funny that as I start to look at actually booking travel details, buying necessary items, doing some training, and now joining this forum, I get equally nervous and terribly excited at the same time!
My friends are giving betting odds on my completion..........SUCH NON BELIEVERS!
The closest friends know that I have thought about this for a long time. I have been mysteriously drawn to the walk, and I can not say why or how, but I know I have to do it!
I have questions that I'd love advice on:
Is there a most favourable European city to fly into from Toronto to get to St. Jean Pied De Porte with the most ease?
Boots vs Shoes.....i have read so much about the pros and cons of both. Any advice from those who have used both?
Is the Camino really as friendly as I have read about?
iPad vs iPhone?
Finally.....I can start Late July or anytime in August. I'd love advice form those who have done either
Thanks All,
Dan
Hi Dan, everything is already sead. But I wish you a great time and making lots off new friends along the way. Wish you a Buen Camino, Peter.Ok, so I have chosen my FIRST HIKE EVER to be over 700Km long! Why start small I say?
I know I can do it! It is funny that as I start to look at actually booking travel details, buying necessary items, doing some training, and now joining this forum, I get equally nervous and terribly excited at the same time!
My friends are giving betting odds on my completion..........SUCH NON BELIEVERS!
The closest friends know that I have thought about this for a long time. I have been mysteriously drawn to the walk, and I can not say why or how, but I know I have to do it!
I have questions that I'd love advice on:
Is there a most favourable European city to fly into from Toronto to get to St. Jean Pied De Porte with the most ease?
Boots vs Shoes.....i have read so much about the pros and cons of both. Any advice from those who have used both?
Is the Camino really as friendly as I have read about?
iPad vs iPhone?
Finally.....I can start Late July or anytime in August. I'd love advice form those who have done either
Thanks All,
Dan
Factors:
a. Closest Airport to SJPdP is Biarritz.
b. The closest airport to SJPdP in Spain is San Sebastian, which is 3 km from Irun/Hendaye border crossing and rail service provided by SNCF and Renfe.
c. SJPdP has SNCF train/bus service to Bayonne.
d. SJPdP has seasonal CONDA (ALSA) bus service to Pamplona.
e. There is Transports64 Regional bus service from SJPdP to Pau. Pau has a regional airport.
f. Consider how you will get home from Santiago.
A. If I were traveling from Biarritz to SJPdP I would:
a. Take Chronoplus bus 14 from Biarritz airport to Gare Bayonne.
b. Take SNCF TER 62 train/autocar service from Bayonne to SJPdP.
B. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Paris (or Bordeaux) I would:
a. Determine if it was cost effective and time effective to fly from Paris to Biarritz. Time effective means arriving in time to catch a train from Bayonne to SJPdP on the same day. (Allow 4 - 5 hours to transfer from CDG flight arrival to Orly flight departure)
b. If arriving at CDG and taking the train is the better option ... take the train from CDG 2 to Bayonne if the schedule is viable.
c. If CDG 2 schedule doesn't work ... Take RER B train to St Michel and transfer to the Metro. Take the line 4 Metro to Montparnasse. Then board the TGV train originating from Montparnasse to Bayonne. There is more frequent service from Montparnasse.
d. If arriving at Orly ... take the Orly Val train to station Antony and RER train to Massy. Take TGV from Massy to Bayonne.
C. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Madrid I would:
a. Take the Metro (from either T1T2T3 or from t4) or Renfe Cercanias (from T4) to Puerto Atocha and take a Renfe train to Pamplona.
b. Or ALSA provides bus service from Madrid T4 airport to Pamplona via Soria or Zaragosa. Bus service is slower than the train however it runs frequently, is cheaper, and requires no knowledge of Madrid transportation systems.
c. CONDA provides (seasonal) bus service to SJPdP - See ALSA schedule - from the Pamplona bus station.
d. I would consider a flight from Madrid to either Pamplona or San Sebastian.
D. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of London (Dublin would work too) I would:
a. Tranfer from arrival airport (Probably Heathrow or Gatwick) by National Express bus to either Stansted (Ryan air has flights to Biarritz all year) or Gatwick (Easy Jet has summer flights to Biarritz).
b. Fly from Stansted or Gatwick (or Dublin) to Biarritz France.
c. Take SNCF train and bus service to SJPdP.
E. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Barcelona I would:
a. Take Barcelona Cercanius to Barcelona Sants station.
b. Take either Renfe train or ViBasa (Monbus) bus from Barcelona Sants to Pamplona.
c. Take CONDA bus from Pamplona to SJPdP.
d. I would consider a flight from Barcelona to San Sebastian.
F. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Bilbao I would:
a. Take PESA bus from Bilbao (Loiu) airport to San Sebastian.
b. Take PESA or ALSA bus from San Sebastian to Bayonne. ALSA buses go to Gare Bayonne (TGV Bayonne)
c. Take SNCF train and bus service from Bayonne to SJPdP.
G. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Lisboa (or Porto) I would:
a. Take CP overnight train from Lisboa to Hendaye France.
b. Take SNCF train from Hendaye to Bayonne.
c. Take SNCF TER 62 service to SJPdP.
These are but a few of the options.
Regardless of whichever city you choose to arrive in ... it will take a full day of travel to get to SJPdP.[/QUOTE
WOW!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
You have given me the best information about travel. Yes I will figure out what I am doing after Santiago.....maybe visit friends in Geneva!
Your kindness and time are much appreciated!
I joined this forum today and I can honestly say that there are good people in this world! It is great to post a comment or question and receive such kindness in return!
Cheers My Friend,
Dan
I flew Air France, mtl-paris(cdg)-(ory) to biarritz. Bus to the train station and then to sjpdp. I missed the 1pm train and had to wait till 9pm for the last train. So try to get to Biarritz with sufficient time to get to the station.Is there a most favourable European city to fly into from Toronto to get to St. Jean Pied De Porte with the most ease?
Boots vs Shoes.....i have read so much about the pros and cons of both. Any advice from those who have used both?
Is the Camino really as friendly as I have read about?
iPad vs iPhone?
Finally.....I can start Late July or anytime in August. I'd love advice form those who have done either
Thanks All,
Dan
You can also fly back to Paris CDG from Santiago via Vueling Airlines. Easy and cheap to get to the airport in Santiago.There is good connection on Air France: Leave Toronto (6:35 pm), arrive Paris (Charles de Gaulle airport) at 8:00 am, take shuttle bus to Orly airport, fly to Biarritz, arriving in early-mid afternoon. From there, get a bus or transport from http://www.expressbourricot.com/ to SJPP. Consider flying home from Madrid.
Welcome Dan, well I have 10 years more walking years up than you, and my walking buddy has a few more, first time starting apr 15th, so if we can do it(hopefully) then so can you!!!...Buen Camino.Ok, so I have chosen my FIRST HIKE EVER to be over 700Km long! Why start small I say?
I know I can do it! It is funny that as I start to look at actually booking travel details, buying necessary items, doing some training, and now joining this forum, I get equally nervous and terribly excited at the same time!
My friends are giving betting odds on my completion..........SUCH NON BELIEVERS!
The closest friends know that I have thought about this for a long time. I have been mysteriously drawn to the walk, and I can not say why or how, but I know I have to do it!
I have questions that I'd love advice on:
Is there a most favourable European city to fly into from Toronto to get to St. Jean Pied De Porte with the most ease?
Boots vs Shoes.....i have read so much about the pros and cons of both. Any advice from those who have used both?
Is the Camino really as friendly as I have read about?
iPad vs iPhone?
Finally.....I can start Late July or anytime in August. I'd love advice form those who have done either
Thanks All,
Dan
Ok, so I have chosen my FIRST HIKE EVER to be over 700Km long! Why start small I say?
I know I can do it! It is funny that as I start to look at actually booking travel details, buying necessary items, doing some training, and now joining this forum, I get equally nervous and terribly excited at the same time!
My friends are giving betting odds on my completion..........SUCH NON BELIEVERS!
The closest friends know that I have thought about this for a long time. I have been mysteriously drawn to the walk, and I can not say why or how, but I know I have to do it!
I have questions that I'd love advice on:
Is there a most favourable European city to fly into from Toronto to get to St. Jean Pied De Porte with the most ease?
Boots vs Shoes.....i have read so much about the pros and cons of both. Any advice from those who have used both?
Is the Camino really as friendly as I have read about?
iPad vs iPhone?
Finally.....I can start Late July or anytime in August. I'd love advice form those who have done either
Thanks All,
Dan
You can fly Aer Lingus direct from Toronto to Dublin. Ryanair from Dublin to Biarritz. Aer Lingus Santiago to Dublin then back to Toronto, easy peasy. I was 64 when I walked it after 35 years sitting behind a desk getting fat and lazy. My only training was a few 5 km walks around our local park. The first day from Pamplona nearly killed me and I never got the hang of hills and mountains but I got there. If I can, anybody canOk, so I have chosen my FIRST HIKE EVER to be over 700Km long! Why start small I say?
I know I can do it! It is funny that as I start to look at actually booking travel details, buying necessary items, doing some training, and now joining this forum, I get equally nervous and terribly excited at the same time!
My friends are giving betting odds on my completion..........SUCH NON BELIEVERS!
The closest friends know that I have thought about this for a long time. I have been mysteriously drawn to the walk, and I can not say why or how, but I know I have to do it!
I have questions that I'd love advice on:
Is there a most favourable European city to fly into from Toronto to get to St. Jean Pied De Porte with the most ease?
Boots vs Shoes.....i have read so much about the pros and cons of both. Any advice from those who have used both?
Is the Camino really as friendly as I have read about?
iPad vs iPhone?
Finally.....I can start Late July or anytime in August. I'd love advice form those who have done either
Thanks All,
Dan
YES YOU CAN DO IT 100%Hello everyone...I'm 55 and doing my first camino (Sarria to Santiago ) on 23rd of May. I had a knee arthroscopy 5 weeks ago and my surgeon says I have a 90 percent chance of doing it. I say I have a 100 percent chance. It'll be grand!! My son in law is carrying his 18 month old on his back.....everything is possible. Very excited.
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