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BluDear Pilgrims,
I haven't been on the forum for a few years, great to see that it is thriving and brimming with lots of new information and resources, thank you
I have completed in full three Camino's, each one having, or starting out with having it's very own reason and each one delivering a very different gift than was expected, lesson don't project or have any expectations
I find myself needing to go again, and again there is a reason, please don't berate me if this has been discussed (probably lots)
BUT...what are the implications of starting this Feb, ah I am in the UK.. (knowing what we know, not what we don't) currently are there restrictions moving between towns, what do we know about which Albergues are currently open?
Anyone else planning on setting off in Feb?
Is it doable and what should I be aware of?
Peace and Love
Blu x
And if you're currently in the UK you are not allowed into the country either: as things stand at the moment, France will review their general travel ban for travellers coming from the UK (exceptions apply for some but not many) on 6 January, Spain on 31 January, Portugal on 15 January, and the EU will review their recommendation on entry bans for all non-EUers sometime in early January, usually on a Wednesday. Their entry ban recommendation has been followed by France, Spain and Portugal in every instance so far. I guess you all know that you are currently in the same boat as those from AUS, NZ, CAN and USA. You are fully-fledged TCNs now.if you’re currently in the UK and in Tier 4, like the majority of us; you’re not allowed out of the country.
There are currently restrictions on movements in Spain, consult official government websites or a website with information for expats in Spain such as thelocal.es which is published in English and usually up to date. Some albergues are open and others aren't, consult gronze.com. Don't expect much first hand knowledge about the current situation, only 99 pilgrims got a Compostela in December 2020.currently are there restrictions moving between towns, what do we know about which Albergues are currently open? Anyone else planning on setting off in Feb? Is it doable and what should I be aware of?
You might have missed this (up above)Dear Pilgrims,
I haven't been on the forum for a few years, great to see that it is thriving and brimming with lots of new information and resources, thank you
I have completed in full three Camino's, each one having, or starting out with having it's very own reason and each one delivering a very different gift than was expected, lesson don't project or have any expectations
I find myself needing to go again, and again there is a reason, please don't berate me if this has been discussed (probably lots)
BUT...what are the implications of starting this Feb, ah I am in the UK.. (knowing what we know, not what we don't) currently are there restrictions moving between towns, what do we know about which Albergues are currently open?
Anyone else planning on setting off in Feb?
Is it doable and what should I be aware of?
Peace and Love
Blu x
Dear Pilgrims,
I haven't been on the forum for a few years, great to see that it is thriving and brimming with lots of new information and resources, thank you
I have completed in full three Camino's, each one having, or starting out with having it's very own reason and each one delivering a very different gift than was expected, lesson don't project or have any expectations
I find myself needing to go again, and again there is a reason, please don't berate me if this has been discussed (probably lots)
BUT...what are the implications of starting this Feb, ah I am in the UK.. (knowing what we know, not what we don't) currently are there restrictions moving between towns, what do we know about which Albergues are currently open?
Anyone else planning on setting off in Feb?
Is it doable and what should I be aware of?
Peace and Love
Blu x
I have completed in full three Camino's ...
I find myself needing to go again ...
BUT...what are the implications of starting this Feb (2021)
Yes because the UK has also returned to lockdown until February 15th.Perhaps there was a typo by the OP and it should have been February 2022.
@brightblu, I hope you don't get too discouraged by the comments in this thread. I see that you are based in East Sussex so you probably know more than enough about the current situation in England and whether or not and when, or if at all, you can get "out".what are the implications of starting this Feb, ah I am in the UK.. (knowing what we know, not what we don't)
I doubt that things will open up again before March at the earliest.
Hey,I notice that @brightblu hasn't come back yet. With a hopeful view to the future, I am posting two links that may be useful for non-EUers. I'm pleasantly surprised by the solid information that these two websites provide.
The first one is https://www.schengenvisainfo.com. This is not an official government website but it is also not a commercial website/scam website in the sense that they do not ask payment for their services as far as I can tell. Check in particular their section "Schengen News" and then the tabs "Latest" and "Policy" with good practical advice and information. In English. The "Policy" tab has a new article about the situation concerning potential penalties for overstaying.
The other website is https://www.connexionfrance.com. This is a website for British expats in France, well-informed and up to date as far as I can tell. While primarily aimed at British residents in France, they also cover issues for British and other non-EU visitors to France. In English.
For future reference.
*bluHey,
Thanks so much to everyone for their replies, comments, feedback and guidance, Clearly my initial question was prior to the new lockdown and consequently February plans are now impossible, if they weren’t already, like some have jested maybe 2022 is more realistic.
God bless everyone and stay happy.
Peace and light
Boy
I,m sorry but it is crazy to think about starting a Camino in February. I live in Spain not very far from the route of the Via de La Plata and at the moment things are still closed down and it is worse in the north. June 2021 would seem to be the earliest that Caminos can be started.Dear Pilgrims,
I haven't been on the forum for a few years, great to see that it is thriving and brimming with lots of new information and resources, thank you
I have completed in full three Camino's, each one having, or starting out with having it's very own reason and each one delivering a very different gift than was expected, lesson don't project or have any expectations
I find myself needing to go again, and again there is a reason, please don't berate me if this has been discussed (probably lots)
BUT...what are the implications of starting this Feb, ah I am in the UK.. (knowing what we know, not what we don't) currently are there restrictions moving between towns, what do we know about which Albergues are currently open?
Anyone else planning on setting off in Feb?
Is it doable and what should I be aware of?
Peace and Love
Blu x
I think the majority of posters administered a dose of reality (and responsibility) on the OP.I am a traveller, I make my living from the travel trade by writing guidebooks and escorting worldwide tours. So anything that restricts worldwide travel is anathema to me. Or at least it was until I contracted covid in December. (My own fault, I attended a football match during the two weeks when restrictions were lifted and caught it there). I was very ill over Christmas, but am now recovering. However it has changed my attitude to travel during the current pandemic. A road to Damascus moment if you like.
Looking through the replies to the original question, which was 'is it doable to start the Camino Frances in February?', I see that unsurprisingly most of the answers concentrated on the practicality of the venture.
To me the important question is not the practical one, rather it is a moral one, 'should I consider being a vector that has the potential to spread a killer virus?' Put like that there can only be one answer, NO don't go, don't even consider it. Not until the governments of the countries you plan to visit (France and Spain I presume) have given a final and complete all clear for travel. No one knows when this will be and planning ahead is impossible, but I would say don't expect it to be in 2021. There was a massive rise in cases in both France and Spain in October, which declined in November but the trend in both countries is now rising again worryingly and the daily new infections rate in Spain is now double that of early December. It is highly likely that the new strain of covid sweeping through Britain is taking hold across Europe and will surpass the previous peaks of March and October. Britain is ahead of the curve with vaccinations which are expected to reach 2million/week by the end January. Even so the British government talk of maintaining the current national lockdown until the end of March, followed by a slow lifting of restrictions.
I have been horrified over recent months reading the travellers' tales of people on this forum who have made the Camino journey during spring, summer and autumn of 2020. They write about their heroic achievements in succeeding against all odds of reaching Santiago. How they negotiated the blockade in León or found an out-of-the-way albergue willing to put them up. And I see posts by people from America and Canada trying to find ways around the trans-continental travel restrictions. These people are not heroes or adventurers, they are selfish fools. No amount of personal spiritual pleasure gained from completing the Camino can compensate for the morally outrageous trail of potential disease left in their wake!
DON'T GO!
administered a dose of reality (and responsibility) Jesus! This is a forum right? My original question asked what are the implications? Never did I say I’m setting off, I’m going! It was simply an opportunity to find out what as I said what are the practicalities, is it possible?
I appreciate all the feedback but just be careful how you ‘administer’ it people are allowed to ask questions and remember the original question was prior to the new LD!
I don't think so!Dear Pilgrims,
I haven't been on the forum for a few years, great to see that it is thriving and brimming with lots of new information and resources, thank you
I have completed in full three Camino's, each one having, or starting out with having it's very own reason and each one delivering a very different gift than was expected, lesson don't project or have any expectations
I find myself needing to go again, and again there is a reason, please don't berate me if this has been discussed (probably lots)
BUT...what are the implications of starting this Feb, ah I am in the UK.. (knowing what we know, not what we don't) currently are there restrictions moving between towns, what do we know about which Albergues are currently open?
Anyone else planning on setting off in Feb?
Is it doable and what should I be aware of?
Peace and Love
Blu x
well said! Easy to agree from Australia, as we are not allowed to travel, but would not walk now anyway.I am a traveller, I make my living from the travel trade by writing guidebooks and escorting worldwide tours. So anything that restricts worldwide travel is anathema to me. Or at least it was until I contracted covid in December (my own fault, I attended a football match during the two weeks when restrictions were lifted and caught it there). I was very ill over Christmas, but am now recovering. However it has changed my attitude to travel during the current pandemic. A road to Damascus moment if you like.
Looking through the replies to the original question, which was 'is it doable to start the Camino Frances in February?', I see that, unsurprisingly, many concentrated on the practicality of the venture.
To me the important question is not the practical one, rather it is a moral one, 'should I consider being a vector that has the potential to spread a killer virus?' Put like that there can only be one answer, NO don't go, don't even consider it. Not until the governments of the countries you plan to visit (France and Spain I presume) have given a final and complete all clear for travel. No one knows when this will be and planning ahead is impossible, but I would say don't expect it to be in 2021. There was a massive rise in cases in both France and Spain in October, which declined in November but the trend in both countries is now rising again worryingly and the daily new infections rate in Spain is now double that of early December. It is highly likely that the new strain of covid sweeping through Britain is taking hold across Europe and will surpass the previous peaks of March and October. Britain is ahead of the curve with vaccinations which are expected to reach 2million/week by the end of January. Even so the British government talk of maintaining the current national lockdown until the end of March, followed by a slow lifting of restrictions.
I have been horrified over recent months reading the travellers' tales of people on this forum who have made the Camino journey during spring, summer and autumn of 2020. They write about their heroic achievements in succeeding against all odds of reaching Santiago. How they negotiated the blockade in León or found an out-of-the-way albergue willing to put them up. And I see posts by people from North America trying to find ways around the inter-continental travel restrictions. These people are neither heroes nor adventurers, they are selfish fools. No amount of personal spiritual satisfaction gained from completing the Camino can compensate for the morally indefensible trail of potential disease left in their wake!
DON'T GO!
Here here!!!!well said! Easy to agree from Australia, as we are not allowed to travel, but would not walk now anyway.
It applies to us here also...for good reason.well said! Easy to agree from Australia, as we are not allowed to travel, but would not walk now anyway.
Thanks - just as an FYI the OP was Jan 3rd, pre-lockdown...The answer my friend is no. we are not allowed to leave our local district in the uk, i my self am rearing to go from sjpdp. having been frog marched from Valcarce in Spain last march 15th
Good point. As the question is now answered, the thread will be closed.Thanks - just as an FYI the OP was Jan 3rd, pre-lockdown...
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