I'm Robert

[robertt]

I'm from the mid-coast of NSW. Fairly old but fairly fit. I'm planning to do the French chemin from Le Puy to St Jean starting early April. The heat and crowds would be bit of a prob for me in the peak, even though I train in heat here. Because I have an increasing acreage of a certain commercial bamboo, the Aussie spring / European autumn is not a possibility.

I've been told to expect some cold and damp conditions at times. I'm going to bring a down bag and single tent, as well as a Trangia cooker.

Anyway, I'll comb the forums for tips, and welcome anyone's suggestions.

Might see some of you on the track.

Rob

 

[sillydoll]

Robert, I'm sure Margaret will reply to your post soon. She walked the same route around the same time of the year and has a wonderful online journal of her walk here:
http://chemincamino08.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

 

[Sagalouts]

Hi Robert
and welcome
like you getting on a bit and also starting from Le Puy early April, Have to echo sil margaret is the queen of the Le Puy route great blog but she don't do camping,like you carrying a tent-godesalco.com shows the route the accomadation and camping places 3 euro's average.
hope to see you on the way
Ian

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A lot of camping and cooking equipment gets shipped home after a few days. The April, May, and early June weather from Le Puy to St. Jean may include snow, rain, and 35C temperature days. There are blankets everywhere you will need them, so a lightweight sleeping bag will be sufficient. You can buy Miam Miam Dodo at the cathedral. It is in French, but still extremely useful for food and lodging. You probably will be making reservations ahead about three days, and Miam has the phone numbers. You can telephone from the booths in each town with a phone card you can purchase at any post office. My recollection is that coins no longer operate the phones. Fellow pilgrims and the concierges can help with the phone calls. Anything beyond "yes, no, full, reservation, and d'accord" were lost on me in phone calls, so the trick is keeping the phone call short and simple.