Organising Information

[Kev&Kath]

My wife and I will be walking the VdlP in the Spring of next year. I'm currently reading/researching and find myself with a wealth of information (walking recommendations and important points noted from various forums/blogs) that will likely be very useful next year. My challenge now is organising this information such that I can readily retrieve it in some logical fashion when walking.

I currently have an Excel spreadsheet (replicated within the Numbers app on the iPhone) that is getting pretty messy. I also have the main apps associated with the VdlP (Wise Pilgrim and the like). I'm wondering, though, if anyone has found a phone app that you can populate, store and easily retrieve travel information? I do use Tripit for separate travel activity; however, Tripit is not really the 'ideal' for the type of information I want to record.

Any advice - much appreciated.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

How to use Google Maps as a trip planner and make a full itinerary

You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the "Places" and "My Maps" features, as well as by planning a route with multiple destinations.

www.google.com

 

[Ultreia et Suseia!]

Hi Kev&Kath,

I am at my final stages of my camino and I have found that all my spreadsheets, notes, guides, and lists have entered my subconscious so well that when I watch camino videos on Netflix, it all comes back to mind and I remember everything I wroye down. Muscle memory is happening and watching videos will reinforce all you've read.

I wanted to take an ultra light bag so this is good news for me; I was dreading carrying all the info I compiled and then having to search for it every few steps instead of enjoying my journey. I have yet to walk the camino but it really feels like that's the only thing to do at this stage .

Ultreia!

 

[TMcA]

When I read something useful for an upcoming Camino, I make notes using a Google Doc. Before I leave I pare down that document by collapsing dual or multiple entries. I can access this doc on my phone and search the categories that I have created: lodging/restos/flight info/key personal info, etc. In the personal info I have tel #s for my bank and credit cards.

 

[DyanTX]

You can store valuable information in your email. Create the docs by whatever program you like and email them to yourself and store in a Camino file. If you name them accordingly, you can pick the exact doc you want from your email file.

 

[AlwynWellington]

Any advice - much appreciated.

... I have yet to walk the camino but it really feels like that's the only thing to do at this stage

You can store valuable information in your email ...

When I read something useful for an upcoming Camino, I make notes ...

I commenced walking in April 2016. And for the four years of preparation beforehand I used similar techniques that you all have described above.

To aid my getting fit regime I began a trip log using a spreadsheet (a tool I was most comfortable with)

It was an easy progression to record the snippets of information I found for each town between Le Puy-en-Velay and Compostela, including height above sea level. This way I could make up my own stages, and change my mind and revise etc etc. And I put the spreadsheet on the tablet/phone I used.

But, on Camino, the tool(s) I found most useful were the two Michelin Guides 161 Chemins de Compostelle for France and 160 Camino de Santiago for Spain. They are light weight, fit in a (biggish) pocket (I kept mine a shoulder bag slung between the shoulder straps, so very ready to hand).
For the stages they have selected there is an elevation and distance "cartoon" showing localities and some points of interest, a thumbnail sketch of the entire route showing progress and, of course, a detailed Michelin map.

For me, the detailed preparation was necessary.

But on camino it was not sufficient for enjoying each day.

So, I say kia kāha, kia māia, kia manawanui tātou (you all take care, be strong, confident and patient)

 

[Kev&Kath]

Hi Kev&Kath,

I am at my final stages of my camino and I have found that all my spreadsheets, notes, guides, and lists have entered my subconscious so well that when I watch camino videos on Netflix, it all comes back to mind and I remember everything I wroye down. Muscle memory is happening and watching videos will reinforce all you've read.

I wanted to take an ultra light bag so this is good news for me; I was dreading carrying all the info I compiled and then having to search for it every few steps instead of enjoying my journey. I have yet to walk the camino but it really feels like that's the only thing to do at this stage .

Ultreia!

Thank you for the good advice! I've watched so many YouTube vids on the Camino and such does reinforce and trigger a memory response when you're out walking. Conversely, I've watched more vids post our Frances pilgrimage late last year and I'm regularly looking at the wife and noting...'do you remember seeing that', or 'that's unfortunate...we missed that'! From my research I'm sensing the VdlP is a very different 'beast' to the Frances, and on some legs you really can't afford to miss remembering certain things (associated mainly with food and water).

 

[Kev&Kath]

When I read something useful for an upcoming Camino, I make notes using a Google Doc. Before I leave I pare down that document by collapsing dual or multiple entries. I can access this doc on my phone and search the categories that I have created: lodging/restos/flight info/key personal info, etc. In the personal info I have tel #s for my bank and credit cards.

Thank you TMcA! I'll have a look at that on Google. Appreciate your response. Thanks!!

 

[Kev&Kath]

You can store valuable information in your email. Create the docs by whatever program you like and email them to yourself and store in a Camino file. If you name them accordingly, you can pick the exact doc you want from your email file.

DyanTX..thanks for this idea, and I'll give it a try. I could set up a file for each days leg and store associated notes therein. Has merit 'methinks'! Thank you.

 

[YYC on the go]

My wife and I will be walking the VdlP in the Spring of next year. I'm currently reading/researching and find myself with a wealth of information (walking recommendations and important points noted from various forums/blogs) that will likely be very useful next year. My challenge now is organising this information such that I can readily retrieve it in some logical fashion when walking.

I currently have an Excel spreadsheet (replicated within the Numbers app on the iPhone) that is getting pretty messy. I also have the main apps associated with the VdlP (Wise Pilgrim and the like). I'm wondering, though, if anyone has found a phone app that you can populate, store and easily retrieve travel information? I do use Tripit for separate travel activity; however, Tripit is not really the 'ideal' for the type of information I want to record.

Any advice - much appreciated.

One thing I've done is make notes in my Calendar app on my iPhone. I keep coming across people's comments about good restaurants, or 'beware of dogs,' or even warnings that there were few breaks between X & Y. I'm hoping this method will give me daily, location specific notifications of what to expect or plan for when I start out each day.

 

[Kev&Kath]

One thing I've done is make notes in my Calendar app on my iPhone. I keep coming across people's comments about good restaurants, or 'beware of dogs,' or even warnings that there were few breaks between X & Y. I'm hoping this method will give me daily, location specific notifications of what to expect or plan for when I start out each day.

YYC thank you so much. That's not a bad way of going about it either. The detail you note is exactly the type of information I'll want to retrieve when walking. I'll look into this. Thanks again!

 

[Rita Flower]

My wife and I will be walking the VdlP in the Spring of next year. I'm currently reading/researching and find myself with a wealth of information (walking recommendations and important points noted from various forums/blogs) that will likely be very useful next year. My challenge now is organising this information such that I can readily retrieve it in some logical fashion when walking.

I currently have an Excel spreadsheet (replicated within the Numbers app on the iPhone) that is getting pretty messy. I also have the main apps associated with the VdlP (Wise Pilgrim and the like). I'm wondering, though, if anyone has found a phone app that you can populate, store and easily retrieve travel information? I do use Tripit for separate travel activity; however, Tripit is not really the 'ideal' for the type of information I want to record.

Any advice - much appreciated.

All posts so far look useful especially if you love planning and spreadsheets - which I do.
However I find that once on Camino I like to hand over to the Way its self.
I am Planning to walk VdlP in Sept and am loving the prep, reading this forum, popping apps into my phone, setting up the route on the Ride with GSP app, etcetera. And this will all be useful.
However I think my best resource to date isGerald Kelly's Walking Guide to VdlP and Camino Sanabrés 2022. An incredibly slim lightweight volume that I found thru this forum - with all the key practical info.
It will have pride of place in my pack and will be thoroughly read to keep me fed, slept and safe. The rest I will leave to my Camino angels and look forward to the adventure of discovery.
I wish you a wonderful Camino.

 

[mattythedog]

All posts so far look useful especially if you love planning and spreadsheets - which I do.
However I find that once on Camino I like to hand over to the Way its self.
I am Planning to walk VdlP in Sept and am loving the prep, reading this forum, popping apps into my phone, setting up the route on the Ride with GSP app, etcetera. And this will all be useful.
However I think my best resource to date isGerald Kelly's Walking Guide to VdlP and Camino Sanabrés 2022. An incredibly slim lightweight volume that I found thru this forum - with all the key practical info.
It will have pride of place in my pack and will be thoroughly read to keep me fed, slept and safe. The rest I will leave to my Camino angels and look forward to the adventure of discovery.
I wish you a wonderful Camino.

And if you miss or forget something, just go back and walk it again next year!

 

[Kev&Kath]

All posts so far look useful especially if you love planning and spreadsheets - which I do.
However I find that once on Camino I like to hand over to the Way its self.
I am Planning to walk VdlP in Sept and am loving the prep, reading this forum, popping apps into my phone, setting up the route on the Ride with GSP app, etcetera. And this will all be useful.
However I think my best resource to date isGerald Kelly's Walking Guide to VdlP and Camino Sanabrés 2022. An incredibly slim lightweight volume that I found thru this forum - with all the key practical info.
It will have pride of place in my pack and will be thoroughly read to keep me fed, slept and safe. The rest I will leave to my Camino angels and look forward to the adventure of discovery.
I wish you a wonderful Camino.

Rita...definitely agree. Have Gerald's guidebook 2020, and will update to the latest shortly. Thank you!

 

[Suzanne H]

I’ve used the email method and excel spreadsheets in the past. Now I’m using Microsoft OneNote. I like separating my data using various tabs. Buen camino!