New and Old

[Caminojane]

My name is Jane and I joined this discussion forum just before I walked the Camino Frances with my sister last May (2013) - which makes me old (I am also in my 60's). However, I am also new as I have never posted successfully on this discussion forum before. Ahead of embarking on the pilgrimage last year, I did not think I had anything to contribute. On completion of the journey I was unsure what it had all meant to me - it had been exhausting but hugely valuable to do, but it hadn't "made me a different woman". Now a year on and having put some of my thoughts down in writing, I am clearer - it was very good for me. For what it's worth my advice to newbies is: you do need to do a little preparation beforehand; you need to look after your feet throughout the walk. You should not fall into the temptation to march relentlessly across the Meseta; pace yourself, and you need to have faith in yourself as a "strong" person who can do it. Good luck and Buen Camino!

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome to the forum Jane.

 

[Kuriya50]

Hi Jane, thanks for those lines of wisdom. As I understand you did your Camino Frances May 2013. That made me interested in your post. I am planning to do my Camino Frances next year in the month of May. Tell me something about the whole experience you had with regard to the weather. I get mixed feelings about the cold nature of the weather. As you said I am doing some preparations for my walk. Physically and spiritually. I just want to be open to accept all the experiences I may come across


Buen camino,
Johnson

 

[Caminojane]

Hi Johnson! I did the Camino Way from St Jean in an unseasonably cold Spanish Spring - it was the same across much of Europe last year. We did get cold at times but in fact it was lovely walking weather until we hit the rain and the mud! We wore one base-layer top, a medium fleece and very lightweight wind proof rain jackets when it was very cold. We took 3 season sleeping bags which would have been too warm if the weather had been more seasonal, but they were fine for us. May was a beautiful time to walk as you have all the glorious spring flowers and the sound of numerous birds all busily pairing up for the new year. It was far busier on the Way than we had expected, but we always found somewhere to sleep and there were many stretches where we were the only pilgrims. Weather is so fickle, it is difficult to give advice - watch the weather forecasts ahead of leaving to get a sense of what is happening. The very best of luck to you; I'm sure you will have a good experience whatever the weather!
Buen Camino
Jane