Hello from Ed
My first pilgrimage walk to Santiago was the Camino frances starting in Saint-Jean. I was keen to relive this experience but wanted to make it a bit more difficult, something that would match my need.
For my second trip I chose to walk from Le Puy.
I dont speak any other language (the British are very lazy) and found it wasnt a problem that first time, but walking in France was a bit more daunting.
My biggest concern was the gite system of booking ahead, it may be a good system but it was something that was beyond me. I considered the options.
I could learn some basic French.
I could get some assistance and book it all in advance before I leave home, covering about 35days or so.
I could try to find a French speaking companion.
I could walk in the quieter months.
I chose the latter and left Le Puy in mid April (it meant I got some snow). Being retired, when I started wasnt a problem.
It worked out fine, the gite's were quiet, I simply arrived unannounced and generally had a pick of the beds. The only other travellers were fellow pilgrims, mosty doing it in stages but one or two going all the way to Santiago. The path was also quiet, but there were more pilgims than I expected. I met very few walkers who were simply walking the GR65 as a holiday.
Everything went well until I arrived at Cajarc (day 13) to find the gite fully booked. I managed to find another gite not listed in my guide book and was ok, but it did make me think.
The accomodation never became a big problem but on a couple of occasions I did ask French speaking pilgrims to book ahead for me when I considered the gite's were getting busy.
In all the 5 weeks walking in France only on 3 occasions could I look around and see that the gite was full, but remember this was April.
Although very few locals speak English I had more laughs than problems.
The French people (certainly those in the country) are the most friendly I've ever met, no one passed without a smile and saying hello, I was very impressed.
I arrived in Santiago after 79days and I'm going back this year to do it all again.
I hope this info is of some use.
Always be prepared to try something new.
Cheerio: Ed Skelly
My first pilgrimage walk to Santiago was the Camino frances starting in Saint-Jean. I was keen to relive this experience but wanted to make it a bit more difficult, something that would match my need.
For my second trip I chose to walk from Le Puy.
I dont speak any other language (the British are very lazy) and found it wasnt a problem that first time, but walking in France was a bit more daunting.
My biggest concern was the gite system of booking ahead, it may be a good system but it was something that was beyond me. I considered the options.
I could learn some basic French.
I could get some assistance and book it all in advance before I leave home, covering about 35days or so.
I could try to find a French speaking companion.
I could walk in the quieter months.
I chose the latter and left Le Puy in mid April (it meant I got some snow). Being retired, when I started wasnt a problem.
It worked out fine, the gite's were quiet, I simply arrived unannounced and generally had a pick of the beds. The only other travellers were fellow pilgrims, mosty doing it in stages but one or two going all the way to Santiago. The path was also quiet, but there were more pilgims than I expected. I met very few walkers who were simply walking the GR65 as a holiday.
Everything went well until I arrived at Cajarc (day 13) to find the gite fully booked. I managed to find another gite not listed in my guide book and was ok, but it did make me think.
The accomodation never became a big problem but on a couple of occasions I did ask French speaking pilgrims to book ahead for me when I considered the gite's were getting busy.
In all the 5 weeks walking in France only on 3 occasions could I look around and see that the gite was full, but remember this was April.
Although very few locals speak English I had more laughs than problems.
The French people (certainly those in the country) are the most friendly I've ever met, no one passed without a smile and saying hello, I was very impressed.
I arrived in Santiago after 79days and I'm going back this year to do it all again.
I hope this info is of some use.
Always be prepared to try something new.
Cheerio: Ed Skelly