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Hi Leigh - as others have said, don't worry about being alone. I walked from SJPdP to Santiago last fall by myself (I was 67 then), somewhat apprehensive when I started, but fortunately I had "met" some Australians on the forum who were starting the same day, so that helped, and although I only saw them for the first few days, we still keep in touch. I soon found that my preference was walking by myself because I didn't have to fit in with anyone's pace, but I also enjoyed some very, very enjoyable times, sometimes several days in a row, walking with the same people, as well as eating and staying in the same albergues with them. My two "scary" times turned out to be nothing - heard loud footsteps behind me in a tunnel under a road once only to turn around and find a diminutive Danish lady catching up to me. The other time on a dirt road a big truck with two men in it came driving up the road, nodded to me, then turned around, which worried me. On the way back they smiled and waved and said buen camino to me. In other words, be alert, but walk at your own pace, enjoy the scenery, listen to the birds, etc., make friends with your fellow travelers, and you'll be fine. I do think you need more than 10-12 days for that distance, though, at least the 14. And although I didn't get to many masses, 7 pm seemed to be the time for most of them, and then the traditional pilgrim's mass is at noon in Santiago, and again in the evening. Enjoy your trip - buen camino - CherryHi everyone!
I've been planning on walking the Camino Frances for a few months now with a friend of mine this upcoming July but he has recently had to cancel due to personal reasons which has made me ask the question of whether or not I will be able to go it alone. We have been prepping together for a while, I am 21yrs old and relatively fit (play netball twice a week excluding weekly training) so the physical aspect is not what worries me (although the threads about do blisters keep me up at night haha) but more the safety aspect. It will be my first Camino and because I'm going alone I've decided to no longer start from Pamplona but from Leon and walk roughly the last 300kms.
Other questions I have are:
1. Our original plan was to get our credencials in Pamplona and continue on but because I am starting in Leon I will have to get it there. But I have heard that the cathedral in Leon does not give credencials, surely there is somewhere else I could go?
2. Also due to prior arrangements I have to be in London by the 25th of July, do you experienced pilgrims think that it is possible to comfortably do the camino in 10-12 days or should I accommodate for unexpected physical strain and take the suggested 14days?
3. Lastly, as I am doing the camino for religious reasons I was wondering how often the churches along the Way hold mass or is there a general daily mass time (e.g. 7am)? Is there any way to find this out in advance?
Thanks so much!
Hi everyone!
2. Also due to prior arrangements I have to be in London by the 25th of July, do you experienced pilgrims think that it is possible to comfortably do the camino in 10-12 days or should I accommodate for unexpected physical strain and take the suggested 14days?
Hi Cherry I was heartened by your comments here. Last night my son abetted by his sisters decided to turn on the heat on my doing the Camino Frances , initially travelling alone and my fitness level seemed to be the concern - which made me full of self doubt - Again! I am staying my first night in Orrisson to break up the journey - but how fit do you have to be? I am not a dissimilar age to you - Kind regards AnnieHi Leigh - as others have said, don't worry about being alone. I walked from SJPdP to Santiago last fall by myself (I was 67 then), somewhat apprehensive when I started, but fortunately I had "met" some Australians on the forum who were starting the same day, so that helped, and although I only saw them for the first few days, we still keep in touch. I soon found that my preference was walking by myself because I didn't have to fit in with anyone's pace, but I also enjoyed some very, very enjoyable times, sometimes several days in a row, walking with the same people, as well as eating and staying in the same albergues with them. My two "scary" times turned out to be nothing - heard loud footsteps behind me in a tunnel under a road once only to turn around and find a diminutive Danish lady catching up to me. The other time on a dirt road a big truck with two men in it came driving up the road, nodded to me, then turned around, which worried me. On the way back they smiled and waved and said buen camino to me. In other words, be alert, but walk at your own pace, enjoy the scenery, listen to the birds, etc., make friends with your fellow travelers, and you'll be fine. I do think you need more than 10-12 days for that distance, though, at least the 14. And although I didn't get to many masses, 7 pm seemed to be the time for most of them, and then the traditional pilgrim's mass is at noon in Santiago, and again in the evening. Enjoy your trip - buen camino - Cherry
Hi Annie - it would be wonderful and useful if we were all in great shape, but for most of us, that's not the case. I started hiking/rock climbing/mountaineering in college, but now only do occasional hikes, although I do try and workout each day, even if it is only stretching. I spent about three weeks walking around town on pavement, 10-15 minutes a day on a treadmill with my boots and pack on, but then the last two weeks before I left life intervened, mainly in the form of getting my daughter ready to go back to college. So I wasn't in the shape I'd hoped to be, and paid for it with shin splints after coming down into Zubiri at a pretty fast clip. That nearly cost me my camino, but after taking it easy for about two weeks (shorter distances, even shipping my backpack a few times), I finally hit my stride after Astorga, and started moving a lot faster. I think an awful lot depends on mental strength - once cleared by the doctor in Lograno I was determined not to give up. In other words, walk as much as you posssibly can now, with your pack on,especially on roads. I found those to be the hardest on my feet, and there are a lot of paved surfaces on the camino. I'm glad you're stopping at Orisson. Everyone says to take it easy at first, but it really is difficult to do that, given the length to Roncevalles and then from there to Zubiri. Shorten your days as much as possible in the first week and you should be fine. And I know it's been said countless times, but keep your pack weight as low as possible. That's so important. Keep us posted and have a great trip - Cherry (And I'm still trying to walk several times a week, no camino in the near future, but I can always dream!)Hi Cherry I was heartened by your comments here. Last night my son abetted by his sisters decided to turn on the heat on my doing the Camino Frances , initially travelling alone and my fitness level seemed to be the concern - which made me full of self doubt - Again! I am staying my first night in Orrisson to break up the journey - but how fit do you have to be? I am not a dissimilar age to you - Kind regards Annie
Hi again - I just watched the Crossing the Pyrenees hyperlapse - please watch it if you haven't already, you'll see what I mean about the roads. It's a wonderful 3 minute glimpse of life on your first 2 days there.Hi Cherry I was heartened by your comments here. Last night my son abetted by his sisters decided to turn on the heat on my doing the Camino Frances , initially travelling alone and my fitness level seemed to be the concern - which made me full of self doubt - Again! I am staying my first night in Orrisson to break up the journey - but how fit do you have to be? I am not a dissimilar age to you - Kind regards Annie
Hi Cherry thank you so for your encouraging mail, have now watched the video - and just purchased my boots so given I am going in September they will get worn in with practice! Just need to get a rucksack now! - my family haven't been that supportive because they haven't read these wonderful blogs , so I am going to get them to read some. I hope it will then reassure them. its bad enough I get jittery at times but feel more sure than ever that this is what I will do - how far I get remains a mystery!Hi Annie - it would be wonderful and useful if we were all in great shape, but for most of us, that's not the case. I started hiking/rock climbing/mountaineering in college, but now only do occasional hikes, although I do try and workout each day, even if it is only stretching. I spent about three weeks walking around town on pavement, 10-15 minutes a day on a treadmill with my boots and pack on, but then the last two weeks before I left life intervened, mainly in the form of getting my daughter ready to go back to college. So I wasn't in the shape I'd hoped to be, and paid for it with shin splints after coming down into Zubiri at a pretty fast clip. That nearly cost me my camino, but after taking it easy for about two weeks (shorter distances, even shipping my backpack a few times), I finally hit my stride after Astorga, and started moving a lot faster. I think an awful lot depends on mental strength - once cleared by the doctor in Lograno I was determined not to give up. In other words, walk as much as you posssibly can now, with your pack on,especially on roads. I found those to be the hardest on my feet, and there are a lot of paved surfaces on the camino. I'm glad you're stopping at Orisson. Everyone says to take it easy at first, but it really is difficult to do that, given the length to Roncevalles and then from there to Zubiri. Shorten your days as much as possible in the first week and you should be fine. And I know it's been said countless times, but keep your pack weight as low as possible. That's so important. Keep us posted and have a great trip - Cherry (And I'm still trying to walk several times a week, no camino in the near future, but I can always dream!)
Hi Annie - I'm glad it helped. While my husband and daughter weren't exactly keen on me going, my marathon running son and his wife Ana, who is from Spain, were thrilled. Most of her family has walked parts of it, and her sister did the whole thing a few years ago by herself. My step-sister, who lives in Devon, and is a few years older than me, flew out to Santiago to meet me, we then bused to Fisterre and walked up to Muxia for two days. She belongs to a walker's club in Devon, but was not used to carrying a pack - she was very thrilled with her performance, and loved all the scenery and the camaraderie between people I introduced her to the the catedral and those we met on the "mini" camino as she called it. I'm sure she wouldn't mind talking to you about it. You can PM me if you'd like and I'll tell you how to get in touch with her. By the way she bought a very nice pack someplace in Devon I think.Hi Cherry thank you so for your encouraging mail, have now watched the video - and just purchased my boots so given I am going in September they will get worn in with practice! Just need to get a rucksack now! - my family haven't been that supportive because they haven't read these wonderful blogs , so I am going to get them to read some. I hope it will then reassure them. its bad enough I get jittery at times but feel more sure than ever that this is what I will do - how far I get remains a mystery!
Hi Leigh,
Here is some information specifically for women walking the Camino alone: http://thecaminoexperience.com/womensafety.php
Wishing you a beautiful journey...
Nancy
Well...not for very long in July if you do, but it's possible. I did.You will never walk alone...
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