Greetings from Australia

[Pellicano Solitudinis]

Hello! I have been lurking on this forum for a while, and now that I have made sort-of definite plans to walk a Camino, I thought I should join and introduce myself.

I did mostly medieval history and literature at university, and I've been fascinated by the Camino ever since I discovered it had been revived. I'm hoping to walk the Camino Francés in March/April 2021, some of it with my brother and some by myself.

 

[jgiesbrecht]

That will be an incredibly busy time, it's a holy year and around Easter, quite the adventure!

 

[Pellicano Solitudinis]

That will be an incredibly busy time, it's a holy year and around Easter, quite the adventure!

Yes, I know it will be busy, but next year doesn't work for me, and it's the best time of year for my family to manage without me for a bit! I'm hoping that by starting in early March, I'll beat the worst of the rush. So much useful information on this forum.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Don't worry about it being busy - just accept it as part of the adventure and it will add to your special experience.

 

[NorthernLight]

Welcome. We need another poster with an interest in medieval things!

 

[Pellicano Solitudinis]

Welcome. We need another poster with an interest in medieval things!

I'm not looking for an argument, but I'm interested in why you say that?

 

[AndrewDavOz]

You’ve done the right thing researching on this forum. I walked the Camino Frances in Aug/Sept/Oct (took 6 weeks and one day) and much of the background info I learned here. There’s a lot of info here. I gathered the most useful hints together using copy and paste, creating a composite note, so I had all kinds of info in a single text file on my ipad, which became available on my iphone and I was able to refer to it when needed.
I also used one of the european Sim card sellers in Sydney to buy a SIM card for my phone in advance of the trip. Inserted it when I got to London and had free roaming in France and SPain from then on. Had to extend it as by default they only last one month.
I also included in my text file some hints from seat61.com on how to transfer between train stations in Paris. It worked. I had never been in Paris before, but managed to transit Paris using the Metro and reach the next train, all in under an hour. I only just made it... but that’s good enough!
I also had a file of spanish words, supplementing what I learned on Coffee Break Spanish. There’s a thread here dealing with essential spanish. Rather than copying what I have, compile it yourself and learn a bit as you go.
Good luck, enjoy your planning and preparation. Be brutal when considering what to carry. You will eventually resent every gram over the necessary. I did...
cheers,
Andrew

 

[Mark Lampe]

We walked over lent this year and found a number of things were not open yet. but we did make do and were never stranded. Have fun, be aware that the web site info is not always up to date for the year you are walking in particularly if you are starting early in the year.

 

[NorthernLight]

I'm not looking for an argument, but I'm interested in why you say that?

There have been some rich discussions here touching on all sorts of arcane bits of history and lore as they relate to the caminos and pilgrimage, and the more the merrier!

 

[Pellicano Solitudinis]

There have been some rich discussions here touching on all sorts of arcane bits of history and lore as they relate to the caminos and pilgrimage, and the more the merrier!

Oh, that's good! I thought you might be suggesting that people weren't all that interested in it.

I am currently down the Song of Roland rabbit hole.

 

[NorthernLight]

@Pellicano Solitudinis
You may enjoy:
Camino history and the stone boat
and
The Camino does NOT start in StJpdP - Discuss

Welcome aboard!

 

[Pellicano Solitudinis]

@Pellicano Solitudinis
You may enjoy:
Camino history and the stone boat
and
The Camino does NOT start in StJpdP - Discuss

Welcome aboard!

I'd come across the StJPdP thread, but not the stone boat one. Fascinating read.

I'm enjoying this forum very much and learning a lot.

 

[Anamya]

Always nice to see a fellow Aussie
You will surely have a lot of fun here and on the camino!

 

[Pellicano Solitudinis]

You’ve done the right thing researching on this forum. I walked the Camino Frances in Aug/Sept/Oct (took 6 weeks and one day) and much of the background info I learned here. There’s a lot of info here. I gathered the most useful hints together using copy and paste, creating a composite note, so I had all kinds of info in a single text file on my ipad, which became available on my iphone and I was able to refer to it when needed.
I also used one of the european Sim card sellers in Sydney to buy a SIM card for my phone in advance of the trip. Inserted it when I got to London and had free roaming in France and SPain from then on. Had to extend it as by default they only last one month.
I also included in my text file some hints from seat61.com on how to transfer between train stations in Paris. It worked. I had never been in Paris before, but managed to transit Paris using the Metro and reach the next train, all in under an hour. I only just made it... but that’s good enough!
I also had a file of spanish words, supplementing what I learned on Coffee Break Spanish. There’s a thread here dealing with essential spanish. Rather than copying what I have, compile it yourself and learn a bit as you go.
Good luck, enjoy your planning and preparation. Be brutal when considering what to carry. You will eventually resent every gram over the necessary. I did...
cheers,
Andrew

That's a great idea about cutting and pasting things into a master file. I'll be posting in the Australian section with specific questions about banking and travel insurance.

I'm working my way through the Duolingo Spanish course at the moment. I'm aware it's not really enough all by itself but it's free and convenient. I have a little French and some Latin, which makes it easier.

As for packing, I'm a confirmed one-bagger even for regular travel, and I've got the e-book by @SYates. It's still a while before I plan to start, but I hope to make use of birthdays, sales etc to acquire some of the necessary gear without too much financial outlay.

 

[Kanga]

Welcome @Pellicano Solitudinis - love the avatar too! Well done.

 

[denholl]

You’ve done the right thing researching on this forum. I walked the Camino Frances in Aug/Sept/Oct (took 6 weeks and one day) and much of the background info I learned here. There’s a lot of info here. I gathered the most useful hints together using copy and paste, creating a composite note, so I had all kinds of info in a single text file on my ipad, which became available on my iphone and I was able to refer to it when needed.
I also used one of the european Sim card sellers in Sydney to buy a SIM card for my phone in advance of the trip. Inserted it when I got to London and had free roaming in France and SPain from then on. Had to extend it as by default they only last one month.
I also included in my text file some hints from seat61.com on how to transfer between train stations in Paris. It worked. I had never been in Paris before, but managed to transit Paris using the Metro and reach the next train, all in under an hour. I only just made it... but that’s good enough!
I also had a file of spanish words, supplementing what I learned on Coffee Break Spanish. There’s a thread here dealing with essential spanish. Rather than copying what I have, compile it yourself and learn a bit as you go.
Good luck, enjoy your planning and preparation. Be brutal when considering what to carry. You will eventually resent every gram over the necessary. I did...
cheers,
Andrew

Hello Andrew. My friend and I also finished with one extra day to you. 38 in total.
Started the same time. I agree with all your preparation advice. It is amazing how you learn to do "without".

 

[susanawee]

Hello! I have been lurking on this forum for a while, and now that I have made sort-of definite plans to walk a Camino, I thought I should join and introduce myself.

I did mostly medieval history and literature at university, and I've been fascinated by the Camino ever since I discovered it had been revived. I'm hoping to walk the Camino Francés in March/April 2021, some of it with my brother and some by myself.

Greeetings from another Aussie from Western Australia. If you are at all interested, I run an Australia wide fb group....Australian Pilgrims on the Camiino beyond. Please contact via private message if interested.