clivespicer
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances, VDLP, De Norte, Mozarabe.
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I am starting in SJPdP next week : How is the work in the Roncervalles Albergue getting on ?
Still container accomodation ?
Last I heard, there was no entry to the old lodgings, due to overhaul and repairs, and accomodation was conducted in shipping containers or the like !!I am starting in SJPdP next week : How is the work in the Roncervalles Albergue getting on ?
Still container accomodation ?
I have often wondered what the relationship or correlation is between pilgrims starting at Saint Jean Pied de Port and the eventual total number of pilgrims arriving at the Pilgrim Office. This would include all other pilgrims joining the Camino Frances flow from points to the West, such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, and Sarria.
I know that pilgrims doing the "classic" Camino Frances all the way from France are not the total of all who complete a valid Camino on the Frances Route. I also know that there are many variables that could affect this relationship. But, I wonder if there is a rule of thumb that allows us to extrapolate reliably from the 240 daily number to some larger result at the Pilgrim Office later.
Anyone got more insight on this question?
When did you last hear? Are renovatoons underway since late 2016, or are we creating some false rumours here? Or just being critical of the newish Roncesvalles albergue? I love the design - the 4 person cubicles, wide hallways and bathroom facilities well removed from the beds, are great. Arguably not cosy, but one doesn't always want "cosy."Last I heard, there was no entry to the old lodgings, due to overhaul and repairs, and accomodation was conducted in shipping containers or the like !!
Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.
Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.
But, choosing when to walk the Camino, is in my view similar to surfing and sitting on one's board beyond the breaking waves to choose the RIGHT wave to ride. Using this metaphor, each wave is a surge of pilgrims. You want to ride in the trough of the waves, not at "peak wave." But the surfing metaphor holds true.
For example, there is usually a surge or wave leaving each major terminus or starting point along the Camino each Sunday and Monday. This includes St. Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada, and Sarria on the Frances. On the Portuguese, Porto and Tui are popular starting places.
This surge or wave progresses down the Camino at a relatively constant pace. The wave of pilgrims DOES tend to stretch out as the days progress. However, and as a "rule-of-thumb," a pilgrim who started on a Sunday at Pamplona, will likely arrive at Santo Domingo de Calzada the following Friday evening. The particularly applies to the majority of pilgrims who follow the 33 Brierley stages. This wave causes a unique demand on accommodations, both reservable (hotels, hostals, private albergues) and first-come-first served (municipal or public albergues).
Similarly, folks starting at Leon on a Sunday, will tend to arrive at O'Cebreiro the following Friday evening. If you know this spot, you know there is no room at the inn over weekends, as it is a popular place for tourists to visit as well as pilgrims.
This pattern follows through down the entirety of any Camino route. It is most apparent once one reaches Sarria. From there to Santiago, the flow on the Frances is the heaviest.
My advice to pilgrims coming from the East of Sarria is to arrive there from Monday through Thursday evening. This places one wave of pilgrims in front of you, and another behind you. It increases your chance of obtaining your choice of lodging until you reach Santiago. However, it is NOT a guarantee.
Additional considerations, starting in May, include the newly emerging popularity of university student groups on a course that includes walking some portion of a Camino. For most of these organized groups this means from Sarria to Santiago.
The only problem with this facet of the pilgrim population is the demand they create on hotel and hostal accommodations on the route. One group, even if sharing rooms, can easily fill a given location, on any night of the week. The normal wave pattern does not always apply to these sponsored and organized groups.
So, even if you follow the "rule-of-thumb" to avoid the successive weekend-related waves of individual and small groups of pilgrims, you still have to contend with organized groups or students, and other "tourigrinos," who hire tour companies to provide them with the "authentic Camino experience."
I am NOT being critical. I AM merely stating facts as I know them to be.
The only way IMHO to avoid the summer surge from June through September, including the May student groups, and tour groups throughout the season is to walk "off season." For this reason, I and many other veterans choose to walk in the two "hip seasons."
The front season starts about one week after Easter to give those holiday-vacationing pilgrims time to get in front of you. Then, we try to get off the Camino by about mid-June, when all the schools let out and the now free students and others with time off can do their pilgrimages. We simply accept and cope with the competition for beds by the organized May student and tour groups.
The end season starts around the middle of September, after all universities have gone back into session, and continues through the end of October, into early November. The numbers of pilgrims are far lower. The weather is still quite pleasant, and you have entire stretches of Camino to yourself.
The final point is that you need to pick your starting date and location with the above in mind then start to pre-reserve accommodations, unless you are of the group that prefers to walk into a hamlet or village and trust that an albergue will have a bed for you.
I agree that this planning ahead bit DOES spoil some of the spontaneity. But, as Rule One states, each pilgrim walks his or her own Camino. It is not for any other to judge how you choose to accomplish it.
Personally, I have had too much drama in my life to date, so I eschew creating more excitement and uncertainty. Plus, I am too settled in my ways. So, I plan ahead, book a room or bed, and SHOW UP!
I hope this helps.
Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.
But, choosing when to walk the Camino, is in my view similar to surfing and sitting on one's board beyond the breaking waves to choose the RIGHT wave to ride. Using this metaphor, each wave is a surge of pilgrims. You want to ride in the trough of the waves, not at "peak wave." But the surfing metaphor holds true.
For example, there is usually a surge or wave leaving each major terminus or starting point along the Camino each Sunday and Monday. This includes St. Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada, and Sarria on the Frances. On the Portuguese, Porto and Tui are popular starting places.
This surge or wave progresses down the Camino at a relatively constant pace. The wave of pilgrims DOES tend to stretch out as the days progress. However, and as a "rule-of-thumb," a pilgrim who started on a Sunday at Pamplona, will likely arrive at Santo Domingo de Calzada the following Friday evening. The particularly applies to the majority of pilgrims who follow the 33 Brierley stages. This wave causes a unique demand on accommodations, both reservable (hotels, hostals, private albergues) and first-come-first served (municipal or public albergues).
Similarly, folks starting at Leon on a Sunday, will tend to arrive at O'Cebreiro the following Friday evening. If you know this spot, you know there is no room at the inn over weekends, as it is a popular place for tourists to visit as well as pilgrims.
This pattern follows through down the entirety of any Camino route. It is most apparent once one reaches Sarria. From there to Santiago, the flow on the Frances is the heaviest.
My advice to pilgrims coming from the East of Sarria is to arrive there from Monday through Thursday evening. This places one wave of pilgrims in front of you, and another behind you. It increases your chance of obtaining your choice of lodging until you reach Santiago. However, it is NOT a guarantee.
Additional considerations, starting in May, include the newly emerging popularity of university student groups on a course that includes walking some portion of a Camino. For most of these organized groups this means from Sarria to Santiago.
The only problem with this facet of the pilgrim population is the demand they create on hotel and hostal accommodations on the route. One group, even if sharing rooms, can easily fill a given location, on any night of the week. The normal wave pattern does not always apply to these sponsored and organized groups.
So, even if you follow the "rule-of-thumb" to avoid the successive weekend-related waves of individual and small groups of pilgrims, you still have to contend with organized groups or students, and other "tourigrinos," who hire tour companies to provide them with the "authentic Camino experience."
I am NOT being critical. I AM merely stating facts as I know them to be.
The only way IMHO to avoid the summer surge from June through September, including the May student groups, and tour groups throughout the season is to walk "off season." For this reason, I and many other veterans choose to walk in the two "hip seasons."
The front season starts about one week after Easter to give those holiday-vacationing pilgrims time to get in front of you. Then, we try to get off the Camino by about mid-June, when all the schools let out and the now free students and others with time off can do their pilgrimages. We simply accept and cope with the competition for beds by the organized May student and tour groups.
The end season starts around the middle of September, after all universities have gone back into session, and continues through the end of October, into early November. The numbers of pilgrims are far lower. The weather is still quite pleasant, and you have entire stretches of Camino to yourself.
The final point is that you need to pick your starting date and location with the above in mind then start to pre-reserve accommodations, unless you are of the group that prefers to walk into a hamlet or village and trust that an albergue will have a bed for you.
I agree that this planning ahead bit DOES spoil some of the spontaneity. But, as Rule One states, each pilgrim walks his or her own Camino. It is not for any other to judge how you choose to accomplish it.
Personally, I have had too much drama in my life to date, so I eschew creating more excitement and uncertainty. Plus, I am too settled in my ways. So, I plan ahead, book a room or bed, and SHOW UP!
I hope this helps.
Just show up. They are there well into the evening. If you want to avoid queuing, go in between train arrival times.Thanks Andreo,
Great advice. Are you able to advise when are the best times of day to visit the tourist offices in St Jean and Santiago to pick up your passport and collect your compostella ?
I should be starting in St Jean in early September 2017.
Thanks M
Just show up. They are there well into the evening. If you want to avoid queuing, go in between train arrival times.
Thanks Andreo,
Great advice. Are you able to advise when are the best times of day to visit the tourist offices in St Jean and Santiago to pick up your passport and collect your compostella ?
I should be starting in St Jean in early September 2017.
Thanks M
I have walked the Camino from St. Jean to Finisterre the past 3 years. I always started the last week in June and arrived in Finisterre the first week in Aug. I never had reservations, but had no problems finding a place to sleep. Only about 5% of pilgrims go beyond Santiago, so the Alburgues are nearly empty. It is well worth taking an extra 3 days to walk to the Atlantic because of the beauty. Buses run 4 or 5 times a day from Finisterre back to Santiago. In Santiago, there is always room at the Hotel Santa Cruz. Go to address # 18 on the same street that Compostellas are issued and ask for Maria. She will find you a room.@t2andreo -
I have given it a lot of thought over the last couple years in order to make a plan for when to go and what route to walk. Despite my best efforts, I come up with nothing because of the gaps in the data. (I certainly believe there must be someone brighter than me on the forum so please chip in!)
Just as a for instance, SJPP is the starting point for roughly 12% of pilgrims as recorded by the Pilgrim Office. That implies a total of approximately 2,000 pilgrims total reaching SdC about 33-35 days out. Yikes!
B
Compostelas are no longer issued (from last year) on Rua do Vilar. The Pilgrim Office moved to Rua das Carretas but Hotel Santa Cruz is still in Rua do VilarI have walked the Camino from St. Jean to Finisterre the past 3 years. I always started the last week in June and arrived in Finisterre the first week in Aug. I never had reservations, but had no problems finding a place to sleep. Only about 5% of pilgrims go beyond Santiago, so the Alburgues are nearly empty. It is well worth taking an extra 3 days to walk to the Atlantic because of the beauty. Buses run 4 or 5 times a day from Finisterre back to Santiago. In Santiago, there is always room at the Hotel Santa Cruz. Go to address # 18 on the same street that Compostellas are issued and ask for Maria. She will find you a room.
Yes you should. Book early if you will be at Santiago de Compostela on or about 25 July. The BIG fireworks at the Cathedral are late on the night of the 24th, leading up to midnight, ushering in the feast day on the 25th.
Any advice on a place to stay?
They are tight! The heaters work ridiculously well. We stayed in container J last Sept 17. The trailers across the way that serve as bathrooms have irregular electricity.Next week on friday I will be for the 3rd time working as hospitalero in the auberge Roncesvalles! A nice place to work and meet you all!
The question about the containers, how they are! They are the new ones on the pictures, shown in a earlier reply. 8 beds in a container!
Yikes. That is not a lot of beds.In a post on their Facebook page the Colegiata has announced that from Monday they will no longer be offering beds in the overspill camp. Only 183 beds in total will be available in the albergue. Once these are allocated pilgrims will have to seek alternative accommodation in nearby villages.
https://www.facebook.com/ColeRoncesvalle/
You mean there's a "proper" kitchen now??? In 2011 only vending machines and micro ovens.... On the main level were both kitchen and Laundry rooms.
I found it a very nice building with very good accommodations. My start day was the 13th of April 2017I am starting in SJPdP next week : How is the work in the Roncervalles Albergue getting on ?
Still container accomodation ?
Very good advice. My own experience is that if you find yourself on the top of the wave take a short day or long day and re-set the cycle. Also aim for villages between the guide book stops. Everyone is aiming for the same end point. The service and experience is great in the smaller destinations. Ultimately the journey and God will provide.Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.
But, choosing when to walk the Camino, is in my view similar to surfing and sitting on one's board beyond the breaking waves to choose the RIGHT wave to ride. Using this metaphor, each wave is a surge of pilgrims. You want to ride in the trough of the waves, not at "peak wave." But the surfing metaphor holds true.
For example, there is usually a surge or wave leaving each major terminus or starting point along the Camino each Sunday and Monday. This includes St. Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada, and Sarria on the Frances. On the Portuguese, Porto and Tui are popular starting places.
This surge or wave progresses down the Camino at a relatively constant pace. The wave of pilgrims DOES tend to stretch out as the days progress. However, and as a "rule-of-thumb," a pilgrim who started on a Sunday at Pamplona, will likely arrive at Santo Domingo de Calzada the following Friday evening. The particularly applies to the majority of pilgrims who follow the 33 Brierley stages. This wave causes a unique demand on accommodations, both reservable (hotels, hostals, private albergues) and first-come-first served (municipal or public albergues).
Similarly, folks starting at Leon on a Sunday, will tend to arrive at O'Cebreiro the following Friday evening. If you know this spot, you know there is no room at the inn over weekends, as it is a popular place for tourists to visit as well as pilgrims.
This pattern follows through down the entirety of any Camino route. It is most apparent once one reaches Sarria. From there to Santiago, the flow on the Frances is the heaviest.
My advice to pilgrims coming from the East of Sarria is to arrive there from Monday through Thursday evening. This places one wave of pilgrims in front of you, and another behind you. It increases your chance of obtaining your choice of lodging until you reach Santiago. However, it is NOT a guarantee.
Additional considerations, starting in May, include the newly emerging popularity of university student groups on a course that includes walking some portion of a Camino. For most of these organized groups this means from Sarria to Santiago.
The only problem with this facet of the pilgrim population is the demand they create on hotel and hostal accommodations on the route. One group, even if sharing rooms, can easily fill a given location, on any night of the week. The normal wave pattern does not always apply to these sponsored and organized groups.
So, even if you follow the "rule-of-thumb" to avoid the successive weekend-related waves of individual and small groups of pilgrims, you still have to contend with organized groups or students, and other "tourigrinos," who hire tour companies to provide them with the "authentic Camino experience."
I am NOT being critical. I AM merely stating facts as I know them to be.
The only way IMHO to avoid the summer surge from June through September, including the May student groups, and tour groups throughout the season is to walk "off season." For this reason, I and many other veterans choose to walk in the two "hip seasons."
The front season starts about one week after Easter to give those holiday-vacationing pilgrims time to get in front of you. Then, we try to get off the Camino by about mid-June, when all the schools let out and the now free students and others with time off can do their pilgrimages. We simply accept and cope with the competition for beds by the organized May student and tour groups.
The end season starts around the middle of September, after all universities have gone back into session, and continues through the end of October, into early November. The numbers of pilgrims are far lower. The weather is still quite pleasant, and you have entire stretches of Camino to yourself.
The final point is that you need to pick your starting date and location with the above in mind then start to pre-reserve accommodations, unless you are of the group that prefers to walk into a hamlet or village and trust that an albergue will have a bed for you.
I agree that this planning ahead bit DOES spoil some of the spontaneity. But, as Rule One states, each pilgrim walks his or her own Camino. It is not for any other to judge how you choose to accomplish it.
Personally, I have had too much drama in my life to date, so I eschew creating more excitement and uncertainty. Plus, I am too settled in my ways. So, I plan ahead, book a room or bed, and SHOW UP!
I hope this helps.
We started on 9 Sep in '14, great time to be doing a Camino!It looks like our start date of Sept 9th will work ok. I have made reservations in St Jean for the nights of the 7th and 8th. Waiting on a reply from Orisson for the 9th.
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