Planning for August, 2016

Irenie said:

Hola amigos. I’m Irene and this is my first post. I have lots of questions. Please tell me if I should repost them separately in different forums. A friend and I will be celebrating our 70th birthdays by hiking on the Camino. I am planning this walk as a coming of age journey and pilgrimage. I won't be walking the entire Camino Francés but will start it. I want to finish a complete Way to Santiago and am considering the Camino Ingles, after a few days with my friend. I would appreciate your feedback, suggestions and resources. I have from August 15 as a start until September 16 to finish and get to Madrid.

1. My friend and I will meet in London on August 15, making our way to SJPdP by August 17 for a reservation at Hotel Camou, near the start of the Camino. Is it possible to get to SJPdP in that time from London without flying and can you suggest transportation possibilities? I will try to make a reservation for Orrison on August 18.

2. I am considering walking a few days, maybe to Pamplona, and then part company, possibly to take a one-week language class, (any suggestions for short term language classes on the way?)

3. After the possible class or directly from the CF I may travel to Ferrol, to start the Camino Ingles. I want to take more than five days, and am trying to find out if there are accommodations besides albergues, in between the guidebook stages. Would there be pack transfer services if desired, if not on the five-day stage schedule? The only guide I’ve found is the 2014 updated download, Pilgrim Guide No. 7 The Camino Ingles, but I’m having a hard time trying to figure out the stages if I want to walk slower and stop more, from the guide or the Ingles forum. I want to walk about 10-12 miles per day. Is that realistic and where can I find more specific information? I would be walking solo and hope to connect with other pilgrims.

When I complete the Ingles, I may still have time for other adventures. We are grateful for any feedback and suggestions you can give us. Muchas gracias.

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Irenie said:

Thanks again for more suggestions, Trecile. I can see that my plans are just that: ideas for the future that will be changed and reimagined over and over, as I research and eventually walk my first steps on the Camino. And then change again, I'm sure. Is this your first Camino and which Way will you be walking?

Your experience with the Barcelona Spanish class may work for me another year. I found that classes for mature learners are generally two weeks and that would work well at beginning of my journey. Maybe next time. Meanwhile I'm brushing up on my little used Spanish and hope to improve in next two months. I've found good resources on the forum and online. Also, I see why so many first-timers start on Camino Frances, as the info on accommodations and maps are, or seem to be, easier to access. If I continue my research and eventually start the Camino Ingles, it will be an even greater personal adventure. I'll ask the question soon, who might be walking the Ingles in late August and September. I hope to meet pilgrims along the way. Gracias y Buen Camino.

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