Peregrino Falcon
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- (SJPP - Finisterre)
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Hi, I can't think about anything at the moment. My wife was a good teacher, she learned the hard way. Wish you all well, Peter.What are the top five things you wish you'd known, or advice you wish you'd been given, thinking about it in retrospect after completing the walk from SJPP to Finisterra? Here's mine:
1) Take your best packed bag and reduce the weight by another 25%
2) Use hiking poles, even if you're young and think you're invulnerable, (to save your knees).
3) Bring something to eat on the Day 1 hike over the Pyrenees.
4) Some albergues close at 10pm and if you miss curfew, you sleep on the street.
5) Realize that it may rain more often than not for a week or more on end in Galicia.
4. Underpack - it really IS true that anything you find you need can be found on the Camino route
Is it possible to hire a backpack in either Leon or Ponferrada? I will be travelling before and after the Camino and my suitcase is full to capacity. Thanks.
Never heard of a rent-a-backpack.....Is it possible to hire a backpack in either Leon or Ponferrada? I will be travelling before and after the Camino and my suitcase is full to capacity. Thanks.
1. There are dozens of places to make up time on the Camino if you're on a tight schedule. The first day is not one of those places!1. Take the Pyrenees in TWO days, no matter what anyone else says, unless you are in EXCELLENT shape
2. Be willing to spend $$$ on the right shoes and pack
2) take a journal, and actually use it. One of my biggest camino regrets is my lack of writing down my experiences.
3) like @gerardcarey, drinks lots of water, even when it's Heavy to carry nothing worse than running out on a long hot stage.
What are the top five things you wish you'd known, or advice you wish you'd been given, thinking about it in retrospect after completing the walk from SJPP to Finisterra? Here's mine:
1) Take your best packed bag and reduce the weight by another 25%
2) Use hiking poles, even if you're young and think you're invulnerable, (to save your knees).
3) Bring something to eat on the Day 1 hike over the Pyrenees.
4) Some albergues close at 10pm and if you miss curfew, you sleep on the street.
5) Realize that it may rain more often than not for a week or more on end in Galicia.
1. There are no Gently Rolling Hills in Spain!What are the top five things you wish you'd known, or advice you wish you'd been given, thinking about it in retrospect after completing the walk from SJPP to Finisterra? Here's mine:
1) Take your best packed bag and reduce the weight by another 25%
2) Use hiking poles, even if you're young and think you're invulnerable, (to save your knees).
3) Bring something to eat on the Day 1 hike over the Pyrenees.
4) Some albergues close at 10pm and if you miss curfew, you sleep on the street.
5) Realize that it may rain more often than not for a week or more on end in Galicia.
Is it possible to hire a backpack in either Leon or Ponferrada? I will be travelling before and after the Camino and my suitcase is full to capacity. Thanks.
I'm the only one I know in Wolves. But hey why not try to form a group based say in Brum? I will post a thread to see if there is any interest.Al the optimist, I'm Sue the pessimist! Are you a lone pilgrim in Wolverhampton, or is there a local group? I live in Rugby.
Never heard of a rent-a-backpack.....
Buy yourself a decent backpack and ditch the suitcase and most of your gear.
He who travels lightest travels happiest.
Acquire a GI barracks bag in lieu of a conventional suitcase. Easy to roll up and cheap to post to your ending point. Spanish post offices, btw, have suitably sized boxes on hand. I've done this a couple of times on the Camino with my bag, my bicycle transport bag and my travel clothing. I've always selected and booked a hotel room at my anticipated ending point and mailed the package there after clearing it beforehand with the management.Thanks Mark & Walli. I do have a decent backpack but its too large for this kind of walk 0 65l, The pre- and post Camino travels require different 'gear' plus I'm bearing gifts for friends in Madrid (therefore full suitcase(. What to do? Ok will buy 30l as carry-on and post suitcase to Santiago. Problem solved.
This is soooooo true. I agree 100%. We become obsessed that we watch our own video and pictures almost daily. We are also counting the days for the next one.. ha haha1. That life will never be the same
2. That you will become obsessed with the Camino
3. That you would need to buy a bigger monitor to view your and others pictures and videos better
4. That airline websites would be so dangerous
5. That you would have a spreadsheet that automatically counts the days since your last Camino as well as to the next
5. Go to Muxia instead (I say this because that spring we didn't return to Muxia and the church was destroyed that Christmas eve and I dint get to see it again)
Hi Scott. Hope you are both well. About number 5. I did carry on in 2014 and saw it. A lovely church and such a great pity that it was burnt. I know it has been restored so time for you to repeat and remember your number 5?
1. Stop as many times as you need to when climbing a hill. You don't have to keep up with anyone.
2. Take more pictures. You'll wish you had.
3. Never weigh your pack. If it feels good, then go!
4. "York" ham is basically Oscar Mayer lunch meat. Always go for Spanish ham.
5. Don't be afraid.
What a great idea - to bring some instant coffee with me on the trip. I was wondering how I would make it without the usual dose of caffeine I'm used to.Acquire a GI barracks bag in lieu of a conventional suitcase. Easy to roll up and cheap to post to your ending point. Spanish post offices, btw, have suitably sized boxes on hand. I've done this a couple of times on the Camino with my bag, my bicycle transport bag and my travel clothing. I've always selected and booked a hotel room at my anticipated ending point and mailed the package there after clearing it beforehand with the management.
Carry a small container of instant coffee - it's worth it. The world is a different, more benevolent place at oh-dark-thirty (after the noisy Italians have awoken one) with a bit of caffeine and sugar
inside you.
I like your list very much Annie and will try to remember it on my first Camino in September. Gracias1. Take the Pyrenees in TWO days, no matter what anyone else says, unless you are in EXCELLENT shape
2. Be willing to spend $$$ on the right shoes and pack
3. Focus on the NOW - smell the flowers - watch the sunrise/sunset - hear the birds singing - talk to other pilgrims and locals
4. Underpack - it really IS true that anything you find you need can be found on the Camino route
5. Share - food, money, first aid, water, experiences
No 6 made me smile Kanga. A lesson to bear in mind for life, nay?Every Camino teaches different lessons but these are a few things I wish I'd known before my last one:
1. Pacharan on an empty stomach is lethal.
2. I am not a camping kind of girl.
3. It is possible to eat too much seafood.
4. The staff in the post office cannot sell you even a stamp if the computer is down.
5. Do not wait around hoping the computer in the post office will soon be up.
6. The pilgrim with the map does not necessarily know where he is going
Thanks Kerstin - I love No 51. Never assume there will be toilet paper; carry a few small packages of tissues in your pack. Their weight is negligible but worth their weight in gold when you're in a pinch.
2. Others have spoken to this - journal. I've re-read mine many times since and looked forward to that reflective time each day after settling, laundry and various 'chores'. A glass of wine and reflection after walking each day rooted me in what I felt and experienced that day.
3. Forgive the early risers and the snorers - your grumpi-ness only affects you.
4. Keep your rain gear packed at an accessible place - no fun to remove other items in the rain to get to it.
5. If and when you find yourself judging the beautiful person you are because you're comparing yourself to another pilgrim and how they approach The Way; whether in distance that day, better language skills, greater knowledge, actually anything - be aware of it and STOP it; its your pilgrimage; only yours.
I know it's only supposed to be 5, however, if you are a coffee drinker to get your motor going in the morning, explore your options the night before!
As the saying goes 'Feel the fear & do it anyway'. What started as fear for me (when I first had the Camino idea) has become excited anticipation. Hope it becomes the same for you too WayWalker. Buen Camino!Number 5 is the one I'm struggling with right now. I keep thinking "What have I gotten myself into?"
Ha! We must of been in the same albergue... I know what you are saying...1. All Italians set their alarm clocks for 4:30 am, wake every one up and go back to sleep. They loudly leave at 5:30 then sit at the first cafe 500 meters from your albergue until you sleep walk past them at 6:05.
Perhaps overly restored? It looks brand new on the outside - couldn't go in because it was locked (June 2015)Hi Scott. Hope you are both well. About number 5. I did carry on in 2014 and saw it. A lovely church and such a great pity that it was burnt. I know it has been restored so time for you to repeat and remember your number 5?
Look out for the Nestle 3 in 1 and 2 in 1 sachets - 3 in 1 coffee, creamer and sugar; 2 in 1 coffee and creamer.What a great idea - to bring some instant coffee with me on the trip. I was wondering how I would make it without the usual dose of caffeine I'm used to.
Just fell victim of number 4.(Well I have lasted 3 weeks since I got back). Off for a little Camino Ingles in 5 weeks, 3 days,17 hours and 10 minutes. Not that I am counting you understand!1. That life will never be the same
2. That you will become obsessed with the Camino
3. That you would need to buy a bigger monitor to view your and others pictures and videos better
4. That airline websites would be so dangerous
5. That you would have a spreadsheet that automatically counts the days since your last Camino as well as to the next
Oh I'm going despite the fear but there are moments when I wonder what the h€ll I've got myself into. 52 more sleeps!As the saying goes 'Feel the fear & do it anyway'. What started as fear for me (when I first had the Camino idea) has become excited anticipation. Hope it becomes the same for you too WayWalker. Buen Camino!
I Joanne, loving this thread too.Great thread
I start my first camino 31st of August 15. 56 years old mother, wife and daughter of elderly mother....decided to do something solo and a little challenging.
Scared to death but can't wait.
Thanks for the thoughts!
You are my type of pilgrim. Great sense of humour and like a wine at the end of the day.1. Get footwear one size bigger than is comfortable, or a wide version and a half size bigger.
2. Start slow like an old person. Bugger. I am an old person.
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. If you feel under-hydrated at the end of a day's walk, ensure you consume plenty of vino tinto in the evenings. Without doubt it is the finest tonic available.
4. That's enuf now. Read what other people say cause they are smarter than me and I'm grumpy and feeling under-hydrated.
I think I'll have a tonic.
Regds
Gerard
am guessing but am pretty sure in light of what you have done and are still doing being a mother/wife/daughter this journey will be a wild and wonderful walk in the parkGreat thread
I start my first camino 31st of August 15. 56 years old mother, wife and daughter of elderly mother....decided to do something solo and a little challenging.
Scared to death but can't wait.
Thanks for the thoughts!
Me too on #5. Leaving in four weeks!Number 5 is the one I'm struggling with right now. I keep thinking "What have I gotten myself into?"
- ...the last tin of pate from the vending machine in Roncesvalles
I Joanne, loving this thread too.
I too am a 50 ish mother and wife heading on my first camino alone. I start out from sjpdp on the 27th Aug... Im a bit nervous but excited! Happy walking. Maybe we will run into each othet somewhere.. Buen camino.
What are the top five things you wish you'd known, or advice you wish you'd been given, thinking about it in retrospect after completing the walk from SJPP to Finisterra? Here's mine:.........................................
I came back from Santiago yesterday, having walked from Burgos. It's hard to settle back into normal life and my heart is still in Spain, so here I am on the forum with my 5 things I wish I'd known. I can think of others but these are the most helpful to a pilgrim:
1. When it's hot, it's boiling so take specialised ultra-light shorts and a t-shirt made for sport/hiking (I ended up buying some in Leon) The major cities have fantastic pilgrim shops with all the necessary equipment. If you are starting from one of them, allow an extra day to purchase your equipment there - it is cheaper and there is much more choice than back home.
2. Use walking sticks - they help IMMENSELY on the uphill and downhill stretches (and there are many) (I ended up buying some in Leon)
3. Galicia is cold in the morning (I had blue fingers on more than one occasion in August) Take LEGGINGS, even if you are walking in summer. (I ended up buying a pair in Sarria).
4. Jacotrans is more than twice as expensive as other smaller transport companies. Unfortunately these companies don't advertise until after you have paid Jacotrans for the whole trip. Jacotrans will ask you to pay the whole thing up front but this is NOT necessary and leaves you the option to plan as you go along.
5. Don't plan too much ahead, you will want to tailor your journey according to your fatigue and the people you meet. This is difficult if you are having your pack transported, but there is no need to pre-book anything before Sarria.
Thanks Kablois -
I appreciate the information. I will begin my first Camino on August 25 & plan to arrive in SJPDP on August 23 to give me the 24th to purchase a couple of things & enjoy SJPDP.
Instant packets good too right? I might as well bring my flavored creamer!!Acquire a GI barracks bag in lieu of a conventional suitcase. Easy to roll up and cheap to post to your ending point. Spanish post offices, btw, have suitably sized boxes on hand. I've done this a couple of times on the Camino with my bag, my bicycle transport bag and my travel clothing. I've always selected and booked a hotel room at my anticipated ending point and mailed the package there after clearing it beforehand with the management.
Carry a small container of instant coffee - it's worth it. The world is a different, more benevolent place at oh-dark-thirty (after the noisy Italians have awoken one) with a bit of caffeine and sugar
inside you.
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