Terri Moynihan
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015
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That isn't "easy" unless you are fit and trained! Settle for 6km in the beginning, if that it what it takes.so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
Many thanks for that. Yes I think I will reconsider my starting point if I can get a flight to Barcelona or Madrid. Just need to go now to clear my head. Cheers.Terry, welcome, do it!
In your shoes, I would just reconsider your starting point (SJPdP); why endure the complications of getting there and the physical strain to cross the Pyrrenies in a rather dicy season weatherwise. Take a train to Pamplona from Barcelona or Madrid! You can buy whatever you'll need in this town and start walking whenever you're ready. (Use Booking.com to reserve a room in the center)
Whatever you decide, have the buen camino you obviously need!
Thank you so much for all of that. You are very helpful. Am rethinking my starting point on the advice of others on this site who have also kindly taken the time to reply but if I cannot get a flight to either Madrid or Barcelona I will stick with the original plan. I am very grateful for those contact details. CheersTerri,
If you do begin at SJPdP go first to the Pilgrim Office run by volunteers of the Amis du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle. Open every day it usually stays open for the arrival of the last train/bus. Their telephone is 05 59 37 05 09. They can provide you with current info on the path and weather, a Credential and on site lodging assistance. Their volunteers help run the pilgrim albergue at 55 rue de la Citadelle which is a fine place to stay, but does NOT take reservations. If this albergue is full the volunteers will help you find other pilgrim lodgings. They keep up to the minute lists of all available space for pilgrims and regular tourists throughout the SJPdP area.
Buen camino,
MM
Thank you so much. Just having people reply and offer advice is clearing my head all ready. You are all so very kind!Good luck!! Like Pano I would also suggest starting in Pamplona.
There is an outdoor store ( forgot the name but was mentioned here on forum ) where you can buy all that is needed.
Ah thank you so much. That makes me feel so good. I am just having a little meltdown - you know yourself - life isn't at all easy at times and you just need a little space and time for yourself instead of always being there for others. I am actually feeling better already. Cheers!Welcome, Terri. Wherever you decide to start, I wish you well. When I walked the Francés, I too, started in SJPP, age 60, and very frazzled. I'm sending positive thoughts your way ... gentle Camino hugs, blue skies, joy, contentment, light, hope and love .....
Hy Terri , I would say do it nice and easy , and as some people said begin in Pamplona . Keep listening to yourself and have a good time . Wish you all well and a Buen Camino , Peter .I planned to walk the camino in September of this year but right now my brain is frazzled and I need to go NOW. Have decided to fly to Paris tomorrow and then on to Pied a Port and stay there for two nights while I compose myself and make plans. Any recommendations for reasonable accommodation, single room in hotel at a reasonable price near to everything as I will need to purchase a few things. I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
Buen Camino, Terri!
I am also 60 and plan to walk my first time starting May 1. I have had a year to plan and, while I appreciate everything I have learned, I notice I am now really overthinking things. So, good for you for just going with your instincts. There is so much help, here and out there, that I am sure you will do remarkably well.
Most importantly, keep listening to yourself. You know what is right for you.
IF, however, you do decide to start from St. Jean Pied de Port, consider making your first stop on the path at Orisson.
Many thanks for that. Yes I think I will reconsider my starting point if I can get a flight to Barcelona or Madrid. Just need to go now to clear my head. Cheers.
I planned to walk the camino in September of this year but right now my brain is frazzled and I need to go NOW. Have decided to fly to Paris tomorrow and then on to Pied a Port and stay there for two nights while I compose myself and make plans. Any recommendations for reasonable accommodation, single room in hotel at a reasonable price near to everything as I will need to purchase a few things. I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
Terry, please check the weather reports before deciding to go from SJPP. There was snow in Roncesvalles today, and that's the other side of the big climb from SJPP. If you are not a conditioned walker you will lose heart very quickly if you go from SJPP, bad weather or no. Maybe take a day or two to re-plan given the winter conditions. You might find the Camino App advertised here helpful with your accommodation planning. Buen Camino,I planned to walk the camino in September of this year but right now my brain is frazzled and I need to go NOW. Have decided to fly to Paris tomorrow and then on to Pied a Port and stay there for two nights while I compose myself and make plans. Any recommendations for reasonable accommodation, single room in hotel at a reasonable price near to everything as I will need to purchase a few things. I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
Excactly my concern: It is very easy to be discouraged even at the road to Orrison, not alone let a 60-year old try to take the leap from SJPdp to Roncesvalles in one go...Terry, please check the weather reports before deciding to go from SJPP. There was snow in Roncesvalles today, and that's the other side of the big climb from SJPP. If you are not a conditioned walker you will lose heart very quickly if you go from SJPP, bad weather or no.
I agree completely with falcon. Perhaps your idea of "little walking experience" is very different from mine, but I wouldn't think that 15 - 20 K per day repeatedly would be wise from the get go. I would be concerned about an increased risk of injury not to mention the impact on your enjoyment of the Camino. Unless the Napoleon route is open, starting in St. Jean removes the option of even keeping your first days distance within that target, and trust me, even with a stop at Orisson it is a tough first couple of days. I am still incredulous at that first 8 kilometres and I work out regularly and had prepared with months of walking with a pack. I commend you for your decision to get started, but even if travel arrangements bring you to St. Jean, you could enjoy looking around there and get a bus or taxi through the first stage (or 2 or 3). That way you will have more options on when to end your day. Buen Camino - I wish you a peaceful mind!That isn't "easy" unless you are fit and trained! Settle for 6km in the beginning, if that it what it takes.
IMHO; this is not correct. The first 8 kms from SJPdp to Orrison is a very demanding climb. After Orrison, it is still a demanding way up, and then an equally steep downhill for several kms. A 60 years old person should be in very good shape to do it in one go.The difficulty of walking over the Pyranees is greatly exaggerated, in my opinion, because everyone wants a war story. Go slow, one foot in front of the other and there you are. Buen Camino.
My opinion isn't open for debate. It's my opinion. You are free to express yours without piggy-backing on mine. Buen Camino.IMHO; this is not correct. The first 8 kms from SJPdp to Orrison is a very demanding climb. After Orrison, it is still a demandinmg way up, and then an equally steep downhill for several kms. A 60 years old poerson should be in very good shape to do it in one go.
I am in pretty good shape. I would have had a hard time doing it in one day. It would just be a very disappointing start to one's Camino for many people...
I love you too.My opinion isn't open for debate. It's my opinion. You are free to express yours without piggy-backing on mine.
My opinion isn't open for debate. It's my opinion. You are free to express yours without piggy-backing on mine. Buen Camino.
I hope your opinions are open for debate: It's the only way to improve oneself. All of us. And I still do not know what you mean by piggyback: Please explain and enlighten me and all of us in here who are not as fluent in the English language as you are, and need an explanation...My opinion isn't open for debate. It's my opinion. You are free to express yours without piggy-backing on mine.
Ah thank you so much. That makes me feel so good. I am just having a little meltdown - you know yourself - life isn't at all easy at times and you just need a little space and time for yourself instead of always being there for others. I am actually feeling better already. Cheers!
I have been feeling frazzled as well. While I'm very well prepared equipment wise (looking at my backpack with a big
) I know I'm not as prepared physically as I hoped to be. I look after my 89 year old mother full time. A joy in many, many ways yet stressful too as I don't really have much time to train properly. I've come so far in planning and research but no time to just step away lately. I realized I can only do what I can do when I get to Spain. I have family supporting me all the way once I leave. They will be there for Mom but I still worry about all the what if's..... Not only for her but for me as well. What if the route Napoleon is closed, etc. I have 3 weeks remaining to train as much as I can.... It is what it is....
For me, I realized most of my stress is self imposed.... Bottom line is I can't wait to get myself on that plane and meet some of you wonderful people, drink it all in (yes the wine too) and breathe.....
Buen Camino!
Who on Earth has been mocking you? Who is mocking who? Who has been laughing at you? Peace, please.Piggy-backing in this format is not expressing oneself on one's own merit but disagreeing with experienced opinioned to mock. I also do not think 60 is old. Laughing at someone's opinion is not something to be proud off. Work on that! Buen Camino!
I love people who care for others. You are giving your mom such a tremendous gift, and you have earned your camino, Evergreen! I know you will do just fine.
I decided to soak it up and book in the Orisson Refuge. I could do the SJPdP to Roncesvalles in a day but I'd rather take my time a bit especially at the start.
I'm doing the same thing if all goes as planned I will be there on 4/12, already booked. The countdown is on - 21 days to Paris. Buen Camino!
Hi Evergree, I will start my trip on May 26 starting Saint Jean, I'm 62. Some times we have to "Let go, and let God"I have been feeling frazzled as well. While I'm very well prepared equipment wise (looking at my backpack with a big
) I know I'm not as prepared physically as I hoped to be. I look after my 89 year old mother full time. A joy in many, many ways yet stressful too as I don't really have much time to train properly. I've come so far in planning and research but no time to just step away lately. I realized I can only do what I can do when I get to Spain. I have family supporting me all the way once I leave. They will be there for Mom but I still worry about all the what if's..... Not only for her but for me as well. What if the route Napoleon is closed, etc. I have 3 weeks remaining to train as much as I can.... It is what it is....
For me, I realized most of my stress is self imposed.... Bottom line is I can't wait to get myself on that plane and meet some of you wonderful people, drink it all in (yes the wine too) and breathe.....
Buen Camino!
My opinion is based on my own experience of hiking over the Napoleon last year at age 58 in April. Thus, that is my opinion, having hiked for many, many years. .
I planned to walk the camino in September of this year but right now my brain is frazzled and I need to go NOW. Have decided to fly to Paris tomorrow and then on to Pied a Port and stay there for two nights while I compose myself and make plans. Any recommendations for reasonable accommodation, single room in hotel at a reasonable price near to everything as I will need to purchase a few things. I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
Yessss, me and i actually did buy a ticket today for wednesday.....euhh tomorrowI think it was just a language miscommunication. You're wonderful people! Today is Monday. Has anyone besides me felt that urge--as the OP did--to just get on a plane already?? 55 working days until retirement. Guess what I'm going to be saying tomorrow?
camino tomorrow I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
you are 60 years old lady without experience, and want to walk 700 km without excercises?!I planned to walk the camino in September of this year but right now my brain is frazzled and I need to go NOW. Have decided to fly to Paris tomorrow and then on to Pied a Port and stay there for two nights while I compose myself and make plans. Any recommendations for reasonable accommodation, single room in hotel at a reasonable price near to everything as I will need to purchase a few things. I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
Yessss, me and i actually did buy a ticket today for wednesday.....euhh tomorrowAnd going to Pamplona. I have absolutely no desire to go shovel snow in the mountains
Off topic, Newfydog, but was that the Aannapurna Circuit? If so, did you blog about it or otherwise post anything? I'd like to hear more about it, including how you trained.I'm sorry if you feel tht way
My wife and I (both in the 60-70yr range) hiked over a 17,000 ft pass in Nepal a few months ago.
That's such a good idea, I wish I had done that in retrospect! Instead with my heart in my mouth, I scrambled down a rough path in bad weather (fog & rain at the top) in to Roncesvalles, so knackered I couldn't even make the mass! Ah well, older and wiser now, Portugal here I come!I decided to soak it up and book in the Orisson Refuge. I could do the SJPdP to Roncesvalles in a day but I'd rather take my time a bit especially at the start.
A couple of weeks into my Camino I met a woman in her late 60s walking alone. We spent a morning together and I asked her where she got the gumption to do it. She saidf she had never planned to be there alone. She and her closest friend had been planning it for 2 years. The friend had come to see her ONE WEEK before and told her she just couldn't do it. No explanation, no apology. So she had just decided to go it alone. And she told me she was so nervous, so scared, so worried.I'm going for the month of July never done anything like this before either; I am 68 with some health issues so plan to take it slow I will start in Burgos I would like to start in France also but I am sure it would take me forever to get over the mountains and I don't have that kind of time IT has taken me 3 years to plan this out a friend of mine who encouraged me to do this and believed that I could so much so that she was going to come with me Then she was hit with Cancer in January of 2014 and died Oct 4th of 2014 we were going to be walking the Canimo in Sept of 2014 As you can imagine This changed my plans some what and set me back a bit to re look at what I was doing For peace of mind for me I think it was wise to take some time and seek out if this is what God would have me do if so then to ,find out what I needed , make a few plans, set some goals , get a guide book, a budget , and hopefully some one to go with which I do as my oldest son has offered to join me, reading the forums I have a gleaned a lot of info from other people also As life has a habit of blind siding me with the unexpected I have found some kind of back up plan b is good to have and I am less likely to worry. I admire your risk taking spirit I think you are very brave if all what I hear is true then I am sure you will have a wonderful time I am sorry as I have never traveled before I can't recommend any hotels or lodgings for you
Buen Camino
A "piggy-back" is where one gives a ride on one's back to another. Usually a child. I have no idea why it is called piggy-back. I think because pig farmers would actually sling pigs over their backs (though not in the same manner as we mean it) to carry them. In this case the carried would have their legs slung around the hips/waist of the carrier and their arms around the neck.I hope your opinions are open for debate: It's the only way to improve oneself. All of us. And I still do not know what you mean by piggyback: Please explain and enlighten me and all of us in here who are not as fluent in the English language as you are, and need an explanation...
Ok everyone, I have decided to take your advice and start in Pamplona. Leaving tomorrow instead of today because of change in starting point. Have booked a hotel in Madrid for two nights and then on to Pamplona where I hope to purchase the necessary equipment. Thank you for that link to the store . I am nervous and excited at the same time but know with certainty that this is my time to do it. Will keep you posted on how I fare. Thank you all for your good wishes and advice and I wish everyone else who is presently walking or intending to walk the camino a pleasant and safe journey. CheersI planned to walk the camino in September of this year but right now my brain is frazzled and I need to go NOW. Have decided to fly to Paris tomorrow and then on to Pied a Port and stay there for two nights while I compose myself and make plans. Any recommendations for reasonable accommodation, single room in hotel at a reasonable price near to everything as I will need to purchase a few things. I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
You cannot possibly understand how relieved I just became!!!!
Ok everyone, I have decided to take your advice and start in Pamplona. Leaving tomorrow instead of today because of change in starting point. Have booked a hotel in Madrid for two nights and then on to Pamplona where I hope to purchase the necessary equipment. Thank you for that link to the store . I am nervous and excited at the same time but know with certainty that this is my time to do it. Will keep you posted on how I fare. Thank you all for your good wishes and advice and I wish everyone else who is presently walking or intending to walk the camino a pleasant and safe journey. Cheers
Terri,I planned to walk the camino in September of this year but right now my brain is frazzled and I need to go NOW. Have decided to fly to Paris tomorrow and then on to Pied a Port and stay there for two nights while I compose myself and make plans. Any recommendations for reasonable accommodation, single room in hotel at a reasonable price near to everything as I will need to purchase a few things. I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
Ok everyone, I have decided to take your advice and start in Pamplona. Leaving tomorrow instead of today because of change in starting point. Have booked a hotel in Madrid for two nights and then on to Pamplona where I hope to purchase the necessary equipment. Thank you for that link to the store . I am nervous and excited at the same time but know with certainty that this is my time to do it. Will keep you posted on how I fare. Thank you all for your good wishes and advice and I wish everyone else who is presently walking or intending to walk the camino a pleasant and safe journey. Cheers
I planned to walk the camino in September of this year but right now my brain is frazzled and I need to go NOW. Have decided to fly to Paris tomorrow and then on to Pied a Port and stay there for two nights while I compose myself and make plans. Any recommendations for reasonable accommodation, single room in hotel at a reasonable price near to everything as I will need to purchase a few things. I am a 60 year old lady with very little walking experience so I intend to take it easy, possibly 15 to 20 km daily with maybe a day of rest here and there.
Ok everyone, I have decided to take your advice and start in Pamplona. Leaving tomorrow instead of today because of change in starting point. Have booked a hotel in Madrid for two nights and then on to Pamplona where I hope to purchase the necessary equipment. Thank you for that link to the store . I am nervous and excited at the same time but know with certainty that this is my time to do it. Will keep you posted on how I fare. Thank you all for your good wishes and advice and I wish everyone else who is presently walking or intending to walk the camino a pleasant and safe journey. Cheers
Me too one day. Now 12 and 60. But it will take a couple of years. Anyway, Terri is really safely on track, thanks to this forum. A very good thing.This is what I plan to do in June when I go with my granddaughter. she is 13 and I am 71.
Ok everyone, I have decided to take your advice and start in Pamplona. Leaving tomorrow instead of today because of change in starting point. Have booked a hotel in Madrid for two nights and then on to Pamplona where I hope to purchase the necessary equipment. Thank you for that link to the store . I am nervous and excited at the same time but know with certainty that this is my time to do it. Will keep you posted on how I fare. Thank you all for your good wishes and advice and I wish everyone else who is presently walking or intending to walk the camino a pleasant and safe journey. Cheers
Me too, in 2009. Unforgettable!I started my first Camino in Pamplona, and my life has not been the same since.
Comnpletely agree, and I am quite convinced that I understand what you're saying. I can even take it further, while I am battling a serious flu up here (how stupid: Living in the Arctic all year, and being chained to my bed by a cold...): I am so happy for what the Camino has provided me with. I am finally a better person.I started my first Camino in Pamplona, and my life has not been the same since. [/ATTACH]
Comnpletely agree, and I am quite convinced that I understand what you're saying. I can even take it further, while I am battling a serious flu up here (how stupid: Living in the Arctic all year, and being chained to my bed by a cold...): I am so happy for what the Camino has provided me with. I am finally a better person.
The Camino is a strong and just teacher, if you just listen and pay attention.
Thank you my friend: I have followed your advice.Get well quickly. Hot tea with lemon, honey, and whatever you've got in the liquor cabinet.
Whoa .... This seems a bit harsh - even at 3:00 a.m. Don't you think?Even if the young bitch next to me started texting and chatting with all her friends from 3.00 AM... At that time I hadn't learnt about earplugs and blinders...
This has been too lovely a thread, Alex ... Let's not let it go downhill now.Nope: First, but not last impolite dorm surprise on the Camino. Just have to live with it, I guess.
as much whining and wondering why on earth I had thought it would be fun and announcing on a nightly basis that I was leaving the Camino first thing in the morning.
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