Barring injuries or otherwise, I cannot advocate enough for the “going with the flow” strategy. Even if there are no beds in town, you will never be left to sleep outside in the cold. Be open to the unexpected.
The only booking I made was Orisson, that’s it. Initially I tried making reservations at Beilari but it was booked up. I let the kind souls at the pilgrims office point me to an open albergue when I hopped off the train. Personally I love traveling like this.
EDIT: I’m departing for my second Camino in early September, this time starting from Le Puy and going allll the way to Santiago, and I’m purposely bypassing the
Brierley stages. I appreciate how he laid them out, his research etc, and for a first-timer it’s great. However, I put unnecessary pressure on myself because I felt “behind”, but my body just can’t clock kilometers according to his guide. I am excited to stay in the small towns and villages I bypassed three years ago. Just another argument for my go with the flow approach.