I've finally decided between VDLP and Camino Frances

[Andrewere]

I've been split between the chance to meet many other pilgrims on the Camino Frances and the (probably) better weather, but fewer pilgrims, of the VDLP. So I have just booked my flight from Bournemouth to Malaga on the 13th October and will get he train from there to Sevilla to start the Via de la Plata.

That gives me 3 weeks to make sure I have the right gear, finish some DIY in the house, tie up some loose ends with my landscaping business etc. I have been fortunate in that a project has been postponed until the Spring which gives me the 5 or 6 weeks to do the walk.

I walked the section from Monasterio to Caceres in mid November 2008 and assumed that I would only be able to do a Camino in sections so this is very exciting.

Since I have so enjoyed other peoples live blogs I have decided to write one myself and will put the address on here when I have one. I'll try and do it from my mobile phone and have experimented with Blogger which seems to work well. I'll also use PC's where possible as text is limited on a mobile.

This site has been a great help over the past few years and now I hope that I can add something to it.

Many thanks,

Andrew

 

[Anniesantiago]

Andrew, I only walked the first 8 days of the VDLP because of my own poor planning and extremely hot weather, but from what I did walk, you're going to have a fantastic journey!

If there's any advice I could give you, it would be to purchase a bladder for water. I don't suggest a bladder for the Frances, because fountains are everywhere. But the VDLP is sorely lacking and the stages are longer. Perhaps in October, it will be different. Perhaps the rains will have come.

If you are interested in any of my notes from the first few days, PM me, and I'll tell you what I know.

Buen Camino!
I can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[LTfit]

You will be in good company Andrew . As far as I can tell there are at least 4 forum members on the VdlP right now!
Will also be following you with great interest as I am planning a stroll down (or rather up!) the VdlP summer 2011.
Cheers,
LT

 

[skilsaw]

Have a terrific Journey.
I've walked the VdlP, and found it exciting and fulfilling.

Best wishes,
David, Victoria, Canada.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Andrew,

I echo the good wishes of others. I have also walked from Sevilla, just this past May and enjoyed almost every step. Since you've walked part of it (a very beautiful part in the spring), you already have a sense of the wonderful adventure that awaits. I will thoroughly enjoy reading your blog, much as I am enjoying Bill Beahan's right now (he's almost in Caceres).

Wishing you a buenisimo camino. Laurie

 

[AJ]

If there's any advice I could give you, it would be to purchase a bladder for water. I don't suggest a bladder for the Frances, because fountains are everywhere. But the VDLP is sorely lacking and the stages are longer.

I took a bladder last year. The screw cap cracked in the first week. When I walked the VdlP in 2008 I took 4 half litre plastic bottles which did the job nicely. I would not take any less on the VdlP because as Annie says the stages are long and there are not so many fountains.

If you are flying to Malaga, why not start walking from Malaga: now there's adventure!

 

[Anniesantiago]

I really have to go in Spring and finish what I started.

What months have people walked, and how did it go?

 

[lynnejohn]

Annie, we started in the last week of April last time (2007), and are starting at the same time this spring - April 25. It is a wonderful time, I think, for all sections of the VDLP. I loved watching spring unfold as we walked. It was also a great time to walk the Sanabrese. Suren, there was rain, but not bad. Having said that -its like every other camino - the weather can do anything! Maybe well see you on the way this spring!

lynne

 

[AJ]

I really have to go in Spring and finish what I started.

What months have people walked, and how did it go?

I started from Malaga on 2 April and it went very well, though I did have some rain which made parts of the track very muddy.

Lots of flowers, not too many people.

 

[peregrina2000]

Sagalouts has hit the trail! He's probably in Zafra by now.

http://sagalouts-theroadtonowhere.blogspot.com/

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Thanks Laurie..... I look forward to 'following him' -again!
Margaret

 

[Andrewere]

I arrived in Savilla yesterday and will visit some of the sites today before starting on the Camino tomorrow morning. I´ll probably walk to Guillena as it looks too far to the next place. Following a reccomendation from this foum I´m staying in the Hotel Simon which is just around the corner from the Cathedral. They can provide a VdlP credential even if you´re not a guest. I´ll put my blog address on here later once I´ve added something to it. Not sure how easy it will be to add pictures as this computer won´t take memory sticks or cards - I hope they´re not all like that. The weather here is hot by English standards and I can´t wait to start out from the Cathedral in the morning. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

Andrew.

 

[lynnejohn]

Buen camino, Andrew! I'll follow your blog with interest.

Go well.

lynne