Hi

[ReachELS]

I am 64, retired and planning my 3rd Camino with my wife and 2 friends. It's not quite like that as the 1st two have been cancelled. Foiled in April and again in September this year - targeting 2021.

I wasn't sure why I was hiking but we lost a friend who was planning to hike with us. So, I found my reason and will carry her poles with me.

I am curious of the forum's perspective of whether or not we are "Compostella-eligible". We plan to start in Sarria and will walk the entire way to Santiago so we meet the 100km minimum but...

We are slack-packers and will be in B&Bs most nights. We hate packing every night and prefer getting to know the villages by staying a couple of nights in each where possible. To that end, we plan to use busses/taxis to transfer back to a previous town so we can double up on our B&B nights...then taxi back to where we ended. I accept that this may not be in the "proper spirit of things"

We also plan to take a "day off" and bus up to Lugo for the day.

So, while we will walk the 100 km, there are buses and taxis involved (which net to zero actual Camino distance).

Should we be eligible?

John

 

[C clearly]

Should we be eligible?

Yes, based on what you say. Where you sleep or what you carry are irrelevant.

The requirements for a compostela are found on the Cathedral website. You must walk the last 100 km of the route. The issue is not only to "net to zero... distance", but you must walk the actual 100 km. You do not need to do it in one continuous stretch. You can take side trips to anywhere by any means, as long as you come back to the same point to move forward on foot and cover the 100 km path from village to village. Make sure you get the 2 stamps per day that illustrate how you have walked the full path.

 

[Frank Wortley]

I am 64, retired and planning my 3rd Camino with my wife and 2 friends. It's not quite like that as the 1st two have been cancelled. Foiled in April and again in September this year - targeting 2021.

I wasn't sure why I was hiking but we lost a friend who was planning to hike with us. So, I found my reason and will carry her poles with me.

I am curious of the forum's perspective of whether or not we are "Compostella-eligible". We plan to start in Sarria and will walk the entire way to Santiago so we meet the 100km minimum but...

We are slack-packers and will be in B&Bs most nights. We hate packing every night and prefer getting to know the villages by staying a couple of nights in each where possible. To that end, we plan to use busses/taxis to transfer back to a previous town so we can double up on our B&B nights...then taxi back to where we ended. I accept that this may not be in the "proper spirit of things"

We also plan to take a "day off" and bus up to Lugo for the day.

So, while we will walk the 100 km, there are buses and taxis involved (which net to zero actual Camino distance).

Should we be eligible?

John

Hi John


You have to walk the last 100km. If you do that and can put your hand on your heart at the counter where they ask you then the rest is extraneous. Buen Camino.

 

[Kanga]

Welcome to the forum John, and enjoy your journey. It sounds as if you will qualify for the Compostela, and you might like to think about asking for it to be endorsed "Vicarie Pro" your deceased friend.

 

[ReachELS]

You have to walk the last 100km. If you do that and can put your hand on your heart at the counter where they ask you then the rest is extraneous.

I have no problems with that as we will walk the last 100 km.

To illustrate, after hiking to and staying in Palas De Rei, we will hike the next day to Melide. But, rather than stay in Melide, we'll transport back to Palas de Rei for a 2nd night. Transport the next morning back to Melide and hike on to Arzua.

you might like to think about asking for it to be endorsed "Vicarie Pro" your deceased friend.

What a great idea! I will do exactly that.

Thank you to all.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

In addition to using transportation to allow you to spend two or more nights at the same accommodation, consider forwarding luggage from one accommodation to the next. If you choose to do that, you can pack any creature comforts that you want into a couple of suitcases, and carry only lightweight daypacks on your backs. These hold your essential needs (typically rain gear, water, phone, meds, documents). Should make for a very comfortable Camino.

To qualify for a compostela, you need get your credentials stamped twice every day - for example at a church, a town hall, or a business that you pass during the day and at the point where you end the day. There's no shortage of places to get stamps.

If you take some days off during your Camino, the standard procedure is to get a stamp at the end of the stage before you take your break and then to get a stamp in the same place when you start off again.

 

[ReachELS]

Thank you Raggy.

I have already identified a luggage transporter...used a similar service in both Scotland and Ireland. It was always nice (and a relief) to arrive at a new B&B and see you luggage sitting there.

The standard procedure is duly noted.