- Time of past OR future Camino
- Recent:Norte/Muxia- Spring '23
MadridWay- Fall '23
I recently returned from my third Camino, this time repeating the Frances route with three family members. It was quite busy as so many others have experienced. We often emailed private albergues a day ahead to reserve beds and that usually worked out for us and definately relieved some potential stress, especially after we were turned away in a popular village as all three lodgings in that village were "completo".
We walked the whole 800k in 40 days, starting April 12th, and averaged 13 miles a day. We only had one incredibly windy day with accompanying crazy pelting rain. It was upon leaving Castrojerez one morning and it kept up until 2pm. In hindsight I'm glad I experienced it, as it's one of those awesome Camino memories I will not forget! BTW, our Frogg Togg rainsuits kept us fully dry!
Although the last 100k was very busy, the "mass commercialization" I'd read about wasn't really all that bad in my opinion. After all, Santiago itself is full of wares for sale and most of us still love that city!
Surprisingly, there seemed to be much less toilet paper left near the trail this year than in 2015. I'm assuming it is due mainly to those incredible "ditch pigs". My hat's off to them! Thank you.
I think I will not walk the Frances route again as I find my interest lies in walking and experiencing new routes. I loved the Norte last year and although I loved the Frances the first time, repeating it was like putting on old shoes...very familiar and comfortable, but not as exciting as donning a new pair.
Upon arriving at "the end of the world", this time we walked the high route starting from the Finesterre lighthouse back to town instead of taking the normal main road and it was absolutely stunning! A new favorite of mine and I highly recommend it if you are visiting during the daytime instead of after sunset.
We spent two weeks afterward touring Portugal by car, which was a nice change of pace before returning home and has its own charms.
I already have tentative plans to walk the LePuy route with two seasoned Camino friends next June, Lord willing. I'm sure the research and planning will keep my mind occupied on rainy days between now and then...oh, and including spending time with all of you on the forum.
We walked the whole 800k in 40 days, starting April 12th, and averaged 13 miles a day. We only had one incredibly windy day with accompanying crazy pelting rain. It was upon leaving Castrojerez one morning and it kept up until 2pm. In hindsight I'm glad I experienced it, as it's one of those awesome Camino memories I will not forget! BTW, our Frogg Togg rainsuits kept us fully dry!
Although the last 100k was very busy, the "mass commercialization" I'd read about wasn't really all that bad in my opinion. After all, Santiago itself is full of wares for sale and most of us still love that city!
Surprisingly, there seemed to be much less toilet paper left near the trail this year than in 2015. I'm assuming it is due mainly to those incredible "ditch pigs". My hat's off to them! Thank you.
I think I will not walk the Frances route again as I find my interest lies in walking and experiencing new routes. I loved the Norte last year and although I loved the Frances the first time, repeating it was like putting on old shoes...very familiar and comfortable, but not as exciting as donning a new pair.
Upon arriving at "the end of the world", this time we walked the high route starting from the Finesterre lighthouse back to town instead of taking the normal main road and it was absolutely stunning! A new favorite of mine and I highly recommend it if you are visiting during the daytime instead of after sunset.
We spent two weeks afterward touring Portugal by car, which was a nice change of pace before returning home and has its own charms.
I already have tentative plans to walk the LePuy route with two seasoned Camino friends next June, Lord willing. I'm sure the research and planning will keep my mind occupied on rainy days between now and then...oh, and including spending time with all of you on the forum.