New Aussie

[RobynA]

Hi, I have been thinking about doing a Camino on and off for a year or so. I recently decided to aim for a start in late August 2015 from SJJP or maybe somewhere a couple of days walk further into France. I am also undecided on whether to continue on to Finisterre. My husband has decided he would like to come too. We will have 5 weeks for the walk. We are not adverse to other forms of transport should the need arise, as we don't want to rush things, and also want to experience the culture whilst we are there. I have been reading the Forum for some time, and have also read several books and a few blogs. We are not regular walkers or hikers, and no we haven't started training yet - better get onto it!

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome RobynA, if you have five weeks to walk and want to take it easy I would suggest starting in St Jean or even Roncevalles, the first day is a tough one, even at this rate you can expect to walk 25 k days. Whatever your decision enjoy the planning and Buen Camino.

 

[RobynA]

Thanks Lise T and Wayfarer for your kind words. My rationale for wondering about starting somewhere a big further away was that it may help get into the swing of things before the usual "big first day", but have wondered why other people don't seem to do that. Maybe it isn't helpful at all?

 

[wayfarer]

Remember Robyn that there is no one starting point for the Camino, start where you wish but with the time you have consider starting further in rather than further out, if you reach Santiago with time to spare, explore the city, it is very beautiful, and consider a trip to Finisterre and Muxia.

 

[RobynA]

Thanks again Wayfarer.

 

[tyrrek]

Hi!
Yes, I agree with Wayfarer. You can decide on Finisterre at the time, if you have time. Also remember that you have the option of taking the Valcarlos route out of SJPP, which allows you to break up the stage to Roncesvalles, and is a bit less arduous. Enjoy all your preps!

 

[RobynA]

Thanks Tyrrek and again Lise. Lise I have a couple of possible itineraries on the go for getting to and from Europe, and they all have between 2 and 3 nights elsewhere before SJJP, so I'm hoping the worst of the jet lag will be over by then

 

[Kanga]

@RobynA the traditional starting place for many is Roncesvalles. It is a also a little easier to get to than St-Jean-pied-de-Port if you are flying into Madrid. I agree you could start further back in France but logistically it is a bit more complicated and you would be pushing it if you only have five weeks and you want to reach Santiago de Compostela.

Why not leave your decision until closer to the time when you know how your training has gone?

 

[robertt]

Robyn, the idea of starting back in flatter country in France isn't a bad one, especially if, like me, you aren't interested in schedules. I started in Le Puy in the spring of 2010 and just started wandering. It was clear I wouldn't get to Santiago in the allowed Schengen-visa period of 90 days. so I threw away all plans, took lots of rest days, made like a pilgrim, made like a tourist etc - and got as far as Pamplona. Next winter I went back to Pamplona, the very same hotel, and just started walking again. I ended up in Santiago, then Valenca on the Portugues, then Santiago again, and lastly Finisterre. All walked, but that wasn't necessary.

If you feel like going hard, go hard. If you feel like getting on the grog in Calle Laurel in Logrono for a day or two...why not? I've spent great nights socialising in albergues, attending benediction and vespers in various churches...or in a hotel watching the Karlos Arguinano show on Spanish TV. (He's the world's only non-annoying celebrity chef.) When you're as leisurely as me you lose friends who want to go faster (that's most people) but you meet ones coming from behind.

If you fly into France instead of Madrid you can return via some great place like Bordeaux or Chartres. If Madrid is your fly-out point you can break your post-camino commute in a sensational place like Segovia.

All good.

Now do this!

Rob

 

[RobynA]

Thanks Kanga good thoughts there. I had looked at flying into Madrid, but wasn't having a lot of success with flights. I am going to make contact with a travel agent in the next few days and see what options they can come up with. We have decided to spend some time in Istanbul at the end of the trip and perhaps that has been clouding some of the flight options I have been researching.

 

[RobynA]

Thanks for your thoughts Robertt. As you may have seen we intend to return home via Istanbul. Exciting even if still in the pipe dream stage.

 

[Kanga]

@RobynA Emirates flys to Madrid and Istanbul.

 

[tyrrek]

@RobynA Emirates flys to Madrid and Istanbul.

...and Turkish fly from Santiago to Istanbul, which I always find surprising.

 

[RobynA]

@Kanga thanks for that. Not sure maybe when I searched with them I didn't do the Madrid option.

 

[Albertinho]

Thanks Lise T and Wayfarer for your kind words. My rationale for wondering about starting somewhere a big further away was that it may help get into the swing of things before the usual "big first day", but have wondered why other people don't seem to do that. Maybe it isn't helpful at all?

It is a good idea to start ahead of the "first big"day. We were advised by the Dutch Pilgrim Association to start 3 or 4 stages ahead of SJPDP to get used to your backpack, musclepain, blisters etc etc.. We train 3 times a week in the sportsgym, walked a long distance path for a fortnight with our needs in the backpack but after two caminos we have the experience that the first few days are a bit of "suffering" but after that time you will pick up the flow and you'll come into the real camino rhythm.

By the way at the end we did not start in SJPDP but in Lisbon and walked the caminho Portuges which has a moderate landscape to walk through .
Next Spring we will go there for the 3rd time.


Buen camino

 

[Al the optimist]

Kanga is right. You are travelling a long way so why make it harder? There are many stretches of beautiful scenery along the way. Like all of them the bit from SJPdP can reward you with great views or a gloomy mist. As people traditionally started from their front door there is no one start point. I personally start at SJPdP only because when I have looked at transport options from central England it has the cheapest/most convenient at the times I booked. I would have no problems starting from Roncesvalles or Pamploma if it was more convenient. Also bear in mind the point about jet-lag and hard first days. You already have very sensibly thought about the challenge of having a hard first day. Most people manage it but there is no need to. Stop at Orisson or Valcarlos on your first day if you go from St Jean. With only 5 weeks going on to Finisterre may be challenging unless you have a bus hop at some point. It may be better to hop anyway so that you can have some rest/short days. Whatever you choose needs to be right and realistic for you. Welcome to the world of planning and indecision! Buen Camino!

 

[RobynA]

I hadn't even contemplated flying Santiago to Istanbul. That is extremely valuable information. Thanks Tyrrek

 

[Al the optimist]

To London then London Stanstead to SJPdP? Santiago to Stanstead and London out?

 

[Kanga]

@RobynA there's your flight plan fixed - Emirates allows you to fly into Madrid and out through Istanbul - with a Turkish Airlines flight from Santiago to Instanbul in between. Thanks @tyrrek - I'm wishing I'd known about that before I booked to and from Madrid. Never been to Istanbul. Gives me a reason to go back in 2016!

 

[tyrrek]

I've not been to Istanbul for nearly 20 years, but at that time Sultan Ahmet was the district to stay in. Near the Blue Mosque, bazaar etc. A range of accommodation, some with rooftop bars where you can watch the ships go through the Bosphorous while listening to the call to prayer. Exquisite.

 

[RobynA]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I had some technical issues last night and couldn't post anything more. I did a re-jig of an itinerary today and gained another 3 days. I appreciate the suggestions but of course there is usually more going on the background than one posts. I think we will aim for a London arrival (things to do there), fly to Biarritz (?) and then at the end fly from Santiago to Istanbul. Also I note I had my acronym wrong (SJJP) not SJPP!

Tyrrek we hope to do a 5 day tour from Istanbul. Initially it was 3 and then it appeared the 5 day option covered all things we would like to do.

 

[Al the optimist]

Check this link for train connection - http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search
And this for a coach one - http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx
The coaches are a lot cheaper as well as being more convenient and quicker. You can buy them online and you print them from an email they send.
Buen Camino

 

[suzie]

thank you allan I have been planning to travel August 15 and have wondered how to get from Paris to SJPdP. also do you have to pay for the pilgrims passport? and last but not least I read that the signs for pilgrims has changed from the yellow shells do you know if that's right one more where do you get the shell too sew onto your backpack???

some much to learn
thank you sue

 

[Al the optimist]

You don't say where you are from Suzie so we cannot say where you may get them locally buty ou can get a pilgrims passport and bag patches from Ivar's shop.

 

[suzie]

You don't say where you are from Suzie so we cannot say where you may get them locally buty ou can get a pilgrims passport and bag patches from Ivar's shop.

Hi Al I live in Victoria Australia, I will look at Ivar,shop thank you

 

[Alan Pearce]

Hi Al I live in Victoria Australia, I will look at Ivar,shop thank you

Hi Suzie

If you contact Australian Friends of the Camino www.afotc.org you can get a fair dinkum Aussie credential to take with you. Details are on their home page.

buen camino

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.