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Similar impressions from the 2nd half of the CF: Started in Sahagún on 6th June, arrived SdC 23rd June. Still mostly Spanish pilgrims, some French and Italians. Not many others.General update on CF. I started from Pamplona June 14 and now in Carrion. There are pilgrims about but not many and I have the pleasure of being mostly alone for large sections of each stage.
Many of the cafe and bars in smaller villages are shut and Sundays especially you may find taking a picnic with you a good idea.
Municipals and donativo monastery are now open in many villages and towns although this is not always reflected on gronze or other lists.
Wearing masks is still usual in villages and towns and always inside.
Always beds available in albergues.
I am a 52yr old solo female walking my first Camino, if I can do it so can you. I am having a fabulous time and can highly recommend you all seriously start planning yours.
Thanks for the update, Buen CaminoGeneral update on CF. I started from Pamplona June 14 and now in Carrion. There are pilgrims about but not many and I have the pleasure of being mostly alone for large sections of each stage.
Many of the cafe and bars in smaller villages are shut and Sundays especially you may find taking a picnic with you a good idea.
Municipals and donativo monastery are now open in many villages and towns although this is not always reflected on gronze or other lists.
Wearing masks is still usual in villages and towns and always inside.
Always beds available in albergues.
I am a 52yr old solo female walking my first Camino, if I can do it so can you. I am having a fabulous time and can highly recommend you all seriously start planning yours.
I did not need a test at that time to fly into Spain but had my jabs proof just in case. Airports checked temperature and I went through several different queues to ask me about symptoms throughout the airports.Hi Nix, thanks for the update. We are also from UK and hope to start Portuguese Camino in September. How was the journey/flight? Did you have the tests?
Thanks again.
Airfix
Are the albergues still hosting communal meals or are pilgrims just meeting at bars/restaurants? Buen camino!Now in Mansilla and Leon tomorrow. Many people still wearing masks outside but not all. Long stretches without water or food, no temporary vans or oasis open at the moment.
Walking mostly alone all day which is wonderful and meeting up with Pilgrims for dinner and beer. Life is good. Locals are very happy to see us and we get honks from horns and waves from passing cars and trucks.
Is it possible to stay here forever?......
Now in Mansilla and Leon tomorrow. Many people still wearing masks outside but not all. Long stretches without water or food, no temporary vans or oasis open at the moment.
Walking mostly alone all day which is wonderful and meeting up with Pilgrims for dinner and beer. Life is good. Locals are very happy to see us and we get honks from horns and waves from passing cars and trucks.
Is it possible to stay here forever?......
Communal meals are still happening everywhere and most restaurants are offering a pilgrim menu too although other pilgrims have commented that prices have risen.Are the albergues still hosting communal meals or are pilgrims just meeting at bars/restaurants? Buen camino!
I am from Lancaster UK and we don't get much sun up north, so I cope with the heat by starting walking at first light which is around 6am. This means I get a stunning sunrise every day but I am always finished walking by 1pm ish which I believe is Beer o'clock.Hi Nix,
how you're handling hot weather those days? Are you starting (very) early in the morning (in the night)?
We will be starting from SJPDP at July 24....
Buen Camino fellow Pellegrino
Locals are not nervous but pleased to interact with us. We have so many smiles and Buen Camino from people everywhere.This is lovely. Makes me want to dig out my pack and just go. Are you finding that locals are nervous to have outsiders due to the pandemic? And what’s the situation on mask wearing in the albergues?
Great updates with good info, thanks. I'm 53 and starting this weekend on my first Camino. Looking forward to being there!Locals are not nervous but pleased to interact with us. We have so many smiles and Buen Camino from people everywhere.
Masks in albergues are usually worn in common areas but not when you are in your bunks or eating/drinking.
Hi Nix,General update on CF. I started from Pamplona June 14 and now in Carrion. There are pilgrims about but not many and I have the pleasure of being mostly alone for large sections of each stage.
Many of the cafe and bars in smaller villages are shut and Sundays especially you may find taking a picnic with you a good idea.
Municipals and donativo monastery are now open in many villages and towns although this is not always reflected on gronze or other lists.
Wearing masks is still usual in villages and towns and always inside.
Always beds available in albergues.
I am a 52yr old solo female walking my first Camino, if I can do it so can you. I am having a fabulous time and can highly recommend you all seriously start planning yours.
Hi, I have a sleeping bag liner and comfy clothes for bed rather than a full sleeping bag. There are very few Albergues that provide blankets at the moment so if you know that you get cold at night, bring a full bag.Hi Nix,
My apologies for being a bit off your topic but I could really use some input if you don't mind. We arrive in Pamplona this weekend to begin walking and are struggling with a few packing items. Due to volume we are really questioning bring sleeping bags and a mid-weight jackets. We've read threads stating the pros and cons and still can't figure it out. So, first question, is it a good idea to have a sleeping bag (we also have liners)? Second question, is a mid-weight jacket necessary like high altitudes and early mornings? (We have rain ponchos and layers of clothing.) We live in Luxembourg and we are still waiting for summer weather. Really appreciate some help!
That is super helpful, thank you so much!Hi, I have a sleeping bag liner and comfy clothes for bed rather than a full sleeping bag. There are very few Albergues that provide blankets at the moment so if you know that you get cold at night, bring a full bag.
I bought a lightweight alpine jacket and have used it only twice so far, and only for a short time. You do not need one walking, just if you sit out in the garden in evenings or go for late strolls. A fleece jumper would have worked just as well.
My advice is to pack as light as possible, Spain has excellent shops if you change your mind.
Buen Camino
Fingers crossed I start 15 aug BobThank you for your updates, about 9 weeks to go before I follow in your footsteps. Also good to hear Albergues and cafes are beginning to open up. I suspect there may still be a good number of bocadillo as standbys en-route in September.
Buen Camino
Bob
Just a slight caveat here, if in fact the rules are still the same as they were on June 26 when Spain changed its mask requirements.Wearing masks in towns is still usual for locals even though it is not law.
Thank you, good info! We're behind you in Estella and have had a bit of a challenge finding beds. We've been reserving the day before but only after contacting several to find open places and/or availability. The weather was lovely back here too and such a relief after yesterday's 36°C!I was warned about the huge influx of people at Sarria, but had not expected hundreds of new walkers.
A different vibe altogether now as we went first to Portomarin which has a lovely town and municipal hostel. Then on to Palas De Rei which sounds like it should be lovely......
Still no problems getting beds and there are far more places open throughout the day.
A different vibe with so many on the road, but just as good. New faces but also finding friends we had not seen for weeks too.
Weather has been cool and rainy, so I was in heaven.
Thanks for sharing along the way, it's been helpful. I wish you happy adventures ahead!I am here in Santiago. Lovely walk in today and great to see old friends in the square.
No problem getting beds again despite what feels like thousands of pilgrims arriving today with us.
Getting your compostella is straight forward, go to the office and scan the QR code. Complete the form, show it to the guy at the door and he gives you a number and tells you to wait in the garden. Wait until your batch of numbers is called and line up for your turn to enter the issuing room.
Only problem was none of us knew Spanish numbers after ten! but pilgrims are a helpful bunch and we were nudged when it was our turn.
I have completed my first Camino. No problems, no stresses, nothing but great times and wonderful people. I wish everyone Buen Camino for your adventures and maybe I will see you on the way.
Nix
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