Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
---|
@LakaPaka There are a number of different ways of responding to other's posts.On another note, does replying to the thread automatically give a reply to T, M, and S1 or do I have to reply to each separately? Thank you all for welcoming us.
Laka
we are on the same time table. My wife and I also retired and loving every minute of it are departing SJPP on 9/16/2014 and planning on returning to the states on 11/02/2014. as you have pointed out it is our Camino. We will walk to the point that enough is enough stop enjoy the country side, the people and let the Camino come over us. Like you I have read this forum daily for the past year and can not wait to start. I do have a plan B that is if it takes longer to complete or if it is to difficult to complete the what will be will be. I am only wanting to experience the Camino, hopefully to completion but what will be will be.We are a retired couple in the throes of preparing for our first Camino Frances. So many questions are floating through our heads. This amazingly helpful site has answered many of them. One is still puzzling us...... What is a realistic number of days from start in SJPP, including a couple of days (enough?) in Finisterre and Muxia (via transportation) at the conclusion?
Some friends have suggested planning an average of 10 miles/16 kilometers per day which translates to 50 walking days for the 500 miles. We plan to factor in about 8-10 rest days which will allow us to spend a couple of days in some cities/towns. In many of the discussions on this forum, people have indicated that 40ish days of walking is plenty. We well know that everyone walks his or her own Camino, but are trying to get a better fix on this before we book our flight. We're reasonably fit at ages 68 and 72, but don't want to push beyond a reasonable limit. We plan to begin our pilgrimage on September 11 and hope to fly home on Nov. 2.
Thanks for any insight.
I too have decided not to buy a ticket back, so many variables as you say - 'play it by ear' comes to mind - ShalomShalom and Greetings from Jerusalem!
Plan also to be surprised! You may meet some wonderful people who walk at a similar pace or slower; you may fall in love with Pamplona, Estella, Logroño, Burgos, Carrión de los Condes, Leon, Astorga, Vilafranca del Bierzo, or Santiago and take additional unplanned rest days in some enchanting town or village; you may decide to skip parts say the Meseta (opinions differ wildly as to why, how, and if enjoyed-me? Go for it!), you may-God Forfend-be plagued with blisters, Al-Mansur's revenge due to bad food, aches pains, even illness or injury which will slow your pace; you may take some off-Camino detour(s) for marvelous sites of which you never dreamed -Santo Domingo de Silos Abbey or the Monastery of SanMillán de Yuso or Suso monasteries easily come to mind; you may find that 15-20 kilometers a day is too much and so decide to perambulate at your most comfortable pace and then hop a bus; you may find that while Martin Sheen and many of us truly enjoy this, your own experience may not justify the effort. The permutations are endless in both positive and negative directions, so the solution? Don't take the absolute cheapest flight you can find remembering that airlines no longer offer open ended tickets. Should you find yourself desiring/required by circumstances to return at an earlier date, the flight change penalty fees on more expensive tickets are usually much less-check with a good travel agent. Do prepare yourselves for a wonderful moving experience, something which you will cherish. Margaret^ see above, and I are both in and beyond your age span and we both are totally obsessed with Saint James, the Camino, and pilgrimage, walking year after year - you have been warned.
מיכאל
Sounds like great idea. Unfotunatally to do that from the states would cost us more than the whole trip together.I too have decided not to buy a ticket back, so many variables as you say - 'play it by ear' comes to mind - Shalom
I am 71. I want to really enjoy my first Camino which I will begin on August 26th. My return flight is booked for October 30th so I have more than 60 days to complete the Camino and get to Finisterre and Muxia. Reading all the other posts about time lets me know I should have plenty of time for hiking, rest days, and enjoying the surroundings. I want to enjoy the Pyrenees so I am actually stopping in Hunto and then just going to Orisson (only about 2 km) the next day. That will give me time to just hang out in the Pyrenees before doing the trek from Orisson to Roscesvalles. From all the posts I have read, I am probably the only person to ever do this. Averaging 10k per day plus rest/explore days sounds great to me.We are a retired couple in the throes of preparing for our first Camino Frances. So many questions are floating through our heads. This amazingly helpful site has answered many of them. One is still puzzling us...... What is a realistic number of days from start in SJPP, including a couple of days (enough?) in Finisterre and Muxia (via transportation) at the conclusion?
Some friends have suggested planning an average of 10 miles/16 kilometers per day which translates to 50 walking days for the 500 miles. We plan to factor in about 8-10 rest days which will allow us to spend a couple of days in some cities/towns. In many of the discussions on this forum, people have indicated that 40ish days of walking is plenty. We well know that everyone walks his or her own Camino, but are trying to get a better fix on this before we book our flight. We're reasonably fit at ages 68 and 72, but don't want to push beyond a reasonable limit. We plan to begin our pilgrimage on September 11 and hope to fly home on Nov. 2.
Thanks for any insight.
What a good idea that is Nancy!I want to enjoy the Pyrenees so I am actually stopping in Hunto and then just going to Orisson (only about 2 km) the next day. That will give me time to just hang out in the Pyrenees before doing the trek from Orisson to Roscesvalles.
I actually made reservations in both places and in St. Jean and Roscesvalles. I will take it by steps after that depending on how far I go each day.What a good idea that is Nancy!
Regds
Gerard
It is polite to cancel reservations that you will not be using. French hosts are particularly irked by unused, uncancelled reservations. They hold a bed for reservations, so a no-show costs revenue and prevents another pilgrim from having a bed. A couple of hours notice of cancellation is acceptable. Hosts know that pilgrims cannot always reach a destination, so they are very understanding of cancellations. Because of no-shows, Orisson now gets payment ahead of time to hold a bed! No show, no refund.I actually made reservations in both places and in St. Jean and Roncesvalles.
It's not quite that bad. Remember, once you have done the "outbound" leg you CAN change the return date. That usually requires three things: that you buy it directly from the airline, pay the exchange fee ($250-$300), plus the difference in fares if any. And after about October 15 the fares go down anyway.Sounds like great idea. Unfotunatally to do that from the states would cost us more than the whole trip together.
I have paid for my reservations in advance and would not consider cancelling.It is polite to cancel reservations that you will not be using. French hosts are particularly irked by unused, uncancelled reservations. They hold a bed for reservations, so a no-show costs revenue and prevents another pilgrim from having a bed. A couple of hours notice of cancellation is acceptable. Hosts know that pilgrims cannot always reach a destination, so they are very understanding of cancellations. Because of no-shows, Orisson now gets payment ahead of time to hold a bed! No show, no refund.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?