Peter CapeTown
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2018 CF Spring
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Yes, that's a good point. Let me find out if there is a spanish language school in our town. It is always great to learn a new language and then practise it in that country.I try to learn Spanish.
It will be probably not necessary on the Camino Frances, but maybe it is fun.
If you want to try it you could start with something like duolingo or with Spanish phrases, e. g. here:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/learning-easy-spanish.14029/
Yes it is important to have good medical cover and a plan B; have reasonable medical insurance plus travel medical insurance plus a EU passport. Hopefully never the need to use any of it. Up to a certain level (and up to a fault...) I normally try to fix myself.Not sure abt health coverage abroad from your location to Spain, but consider insurance to cover injury, sickness and early return should it be necessary.
How/what are your Mar-Apr-May 2018 Camino preparations to-date?
Planning my first Camino. My preparations to date:
- Family, work, business, etc - discussed & OK (I hope)
- Dates, route, concept - CF; end of March till start of May; do it in a simple, basic and openminded way
- Started to build-up my walking/hiking fitness; frequent and long mountain and city walks (longest to date: 8,5h)
- Flight ticket purchased (non refundable)
- Purchased new hiking shoes, two days ago, chose a local outdoor company that manufactures good quality products (from outdoor fun to Antarctica expeditions) https://www.capeunionmart.co.za/k-way-canyon-shoe-mens
- Started to wear-in my new hiking shoes, got +-4 months to do it.
- ordered a few Camino books and dvd
- new backpack, maybe at a post-Christmas sale
- feeling excited with a hint of nervousness and a dash of apprehensiveness
How/what are your Mar-Apr-May 2018 Camino preparations to-date?
Planning my first Camino. My preparations to date:
- Family, work, business, etc - discussed & OK (I hope)
- Dates, route, concept - CF; end of March till start of May; do it in a simple, basic and openminded way
- Started to build-up my walking/hiking fitness; frequent and long mountain and city walks (longest to date: 8,5h)
- Flight ticket purchased (non refundable)
- Purchased new hiking shoes, two days ago, chose a local outdoor company that manufactures good quality products (from outdoor fun to Antarctica expeditions) https://www.capeunionmart.co.za/k-way-canyon-shoe-mens
- Started to wear-in my new hiking shoes, got +-4 months to do it.
- ordered a few Camino books and dvd
- new backpack, maybe at a post-Christmas sale
- feeling excited with a hint of nervousness and a dash of apprehensiveness
How/what are your Mar-Apr-May 2018 Camino preparations to-date?
Fantastic, we are doing our first Camino this March to April so far we have:
-Purchased flights to Biarritz
-Researched Travel Insurance, will buy shortly before departure
-Working on combination walking/stretching program
-Bought and testing all gear needed
- Including backpack total weight is at 8lbs but trying to cut it down
-Watching YouTube like crazy with preference given to tips and day by day walks for the plus 50 age group
-Spanish Language CD in my car
-Belong to a number of Facebook Groups focusing on Planning and Slow Camino ones
-Participating in forums
-writing notes (that I won't bring with me) but this helps me remember
- Fulfilling a dream I have had since I was 17
Don’t wear those shoes out! I found some waterproof Merrells that I liked and ordered a second pair that I broke in for a couple of weeks , before leaving. 500 miles is when they start losing support etc ... also Duolingo is helpful and something you can practice in a few minutes everyday.How/what are your Mar-Apr-May 2018 Camino preparations to-date?
Planning my first Camino. My preparations to date:
- Family, work, business, etc - discussed & OK (I hope)
- Dates, route, concept - CF; end of March till start of May; do it in a simple, basic and openminded way
- Started to build-up my walking/hiking fitness; frequent and long mountain and city walks (longest to date: 8,5h)
- Flight ticket purchased (non refundable)
- Purchased new hiking shoes, two days ago, chose a local outdoor company that manufactures good quality products (from outdoor fun to Antarctica expeditions) https://www.capeunionmart.co.za/k-way-canyon-shoe-mens
- Started to wear-in my new hiking shoes, got +-4 months to do it.
- ordered a few Camino books and dvd
- new backpack, maybe at a post-Christmas sale
- feeling excited with a hint of nervousness and a dash of apprehensiveness
How/what are your Mar-Apr-May 2018 Camino preparations to-date?
Planning my first Camino. My preparations to date:
- Family, work, business, etc - discussed & OK (I hope)
- Dates, route, concept - CF; end of March till start of May; do it in a simple, basic and openminded way
- Started to build-up my walking/hiking fitness; frequent and long mountain and city walks (longest to date: 8,5h)
- Flight ticket purchased (non refundable)
- Purchased new hiking shoes, two days ago, chose a local outdoor company that manufactures good quality products (from outdoor fun to Antarctica expeditions) https://www.capeunionmart.co.za/k-way-canyon-shoe-mens
- Started to wear-in my new hiking shoes, got +-4 months to do it.
- ordered a few Camino books and dvd
- new backpack, maybe at a post-Christmas sale
- feeling excited with a hint of nervousness and a dash of apprehensiveness
Great! Will look out for you guys. Sorry for the late reply; have been very busy workwise and with only a few days left before we go on our family summer vacation.Hi Peter, we are a family of 4 starting out around the 19th March - look out for us!!!
I will be purchasing most of our clothes/shoes/backpacks etc in the post Christmas sales too.
So far I have our poles, merino socks and headlamps bought yesterday! Have been thinking about whether or not to get the headlamps because day light saving kicks in and I think sunrise is around 8am. Jetlag from Australia will see us waking very early so we might want to get started say around 7am.. In the end the kids discovered them at the store the other day when we were trying on backpacks and pleaded for them as only children can do!
We are self employed so no problems there. Purchased tickets and good travel insurance a couple of months ago.
Have been learning Spanish on and off for a few months, my oldest takes his Spanish dictionary everywhere he goes! We are just about to start our 5 week summer holiday so will be learning Spanish in earnest. We are using Duolingo. I saw a copy of 'Spanish for Dummies' with a DVD not sure what it will be like however, we are going on a 16 hour (return) drive early in the new year and figured it might be fun to play in the car - captive audience and all!
Have started some training but really need to pick up the pace on that front (pardon the pun!)
I am planning on putting together a first aid kit soon.
I will be following for ideas.
Agree Garry, I also have a need or want to get out of my comfort zone and to think about a lot of things and to embrace this experience. And to make my body, mind and soul sweat a bit.Hi Peter,
I’m planning roughly the same timescale, booked flights for 28th March and hoping to complete around beginning of May. Might see you on our travels. My first Camino as well, really looking forward to it but as you say a little nervous as well, it’s good to get out of your comfort zone now and again, Good Luck for your Camino.
Garry
Similar dates. Hope your preparations are going well. I am sure you are spending lots of "quality time" at Cape Union Mart and Outdoor Warehouse.Hi Peter
I’m also from Cape Town and will start my first Camino 1 April 2018...good luck with preparations and buen camino!
We are privileged with our southern hemisphere summer and Cape nature. I am very conscious of that. Lucky timing re the Camino preparations.Summer in Cape Town, what a perfect environment to be training for a spring Camino, love walking up through Constantia Nek. Pity me training in the UK winter for Cape Cycle Tour in March
You're going to have the time of your life. Enjoy it all.
We are privileged with our southern hemisphere summer and Cape nature. I am very conscious of that. Lucky timing re the Camino preparations.
Also doing the Cape Cycle Tour - a bit slower & more social this time round. Hope it will not be cancelled like last year (cancelling it might have opened a Pandora's box ...)
When you come to CT bring some water - we are having a 1:100 year drought! Severe water restrictions apply. We are told to only shower every 2nd or 3rd day; each shower - 2min max; to take a bath is a big No No; a dirty/unwashed car is now a social-conscious status symbol; flushing of toilets only with used shower water or harvested rainwater; being slightly smelly and wearing unwashed clothing has become okay; - i am optimistic and see it as Life-at-the-Albergues training. ;-)
Hi Peter. I have walked from SJdPdP to Burgos last year and intend doing all of the Camino Frances this April/ May.
My only comment to you would be to not wear out those walking shoes too much before you go. Certainly have them well broken in but they should retain some stiffness in the sole to guard against the larger stones and rough ground. I wonder what others think about this?
Paul
Okay, didn't know that but you guys are the 4th person who warned me about it. Especially regarding ultra long distance walking and hiking. At the moment, I am walking nearly every day 1 - 3h. Maybe i should consider my shoes as broken-in and put them aside. Thanks Dorpie & PaulI totally agree Paul. I over broke in my boots on my first Camino and the result was that they were falling apart by week three. I'd say 100kms was more than enough breaking in.
Thanks HieLienie from Stellies.Hi to all my fellow South Africans!
I did my first Camino during April last year from SJPdP to Finisterre and am happy to answer any questions.
Buen Camino!
What medical insurance did you choose?
I will not not ask what the weather will be like; figured it out - "There shall be Weather"
Am on the same medical aid.Hi Peter, check your medical aid as it may already cover you.
I’m on Discovery’s Classic Comprehensive, and it covers me for medical emergencies for 3 months while overseas.
So glad you’ve figured out what the weather will be like.
Jill
Thanks HieLienie from Stellies.
How many days did you walk?
What did you (and other South Africans), as a South African, find the most difficult / challenging on the El Camino?
What local-knowledge did you lack?
How did you handle/manage the "Home Front" while away on the Camino? i.e. how did your family, friends, work, business, etc. do while you were away?
What medical insurance did you choose?
I will not not ask what the weather will be like; figured it out - "There shall be Weather"
Thanks
Thanks! Will check that insurance option, over and above our Discovery one. Have joint csj of sa. Have dual citizenship which makes EU travels easier. But will still take the CSJ letter along in case i need it.Hi Peter The best price for travel insurance is Hollard Travel insurance. They fully comply with the visa requirements. We paid R 1000.00 last year for two people on the Camino for 5 weeks. That's not bad in comparison with the AA and other well know insurance companies. Please see: https://www.hollardti.com/.
Peter and Suzanne please make sure you comply with all the visa requirements and don't leave it for the last minute. Join the Confraternity St James of South Africa (CSJofSA) on http://www.csjofsa.za.org/. Your visa application will be much easier with their letter to the Spanish Consulate. The letter eliminate the need to have all your accommodation pre booked.
Thanks! Great useful information! Planning to keep it simple and well thought out. Did you feel that the Camino was good for your soul 'n mind?Hi Peter - sorry - for some reason I missed your comment.
I walked for 27 days from SJPP to Santiago. It meant long days and some injuries but had limited time so it worked for me
I think I would have had issues with the language but luckily made friends with a Spanish speaking Irish man within 2 days and that helped a lot. Otherwise - us Saffas are easy going and adaptable. And that's exactly what you need.
As far as the home front is concerned - I am a programmer and didn't need to check in at all during my leave. My co-workers handled it all.
I left my own SIM card at home and bought a Spanish SIM for my phone. Only my family and a few close friends had my new number so no-one could contact me with normal day to day issues. I also wrote a daily blog that I only shared with my family so that they could know where I am and how it's going. That meant they very rarely contacted me with questions etc. So I could get away from almost everything and everyone while on the Camino.
Medical insurance - Discovery & ABSA
Weather - Only rain on my very last day! I was so blessed in that regard
Thanks! Great useful information! Planning to keep it simple and well thought out. Did you feel that the Camino was good for your soul 'n mind?
Hi Peter The weather in March / April was very pleasant and not to warm and we were lucky with the rain. The evenings were cool but sometimes it was to hot in the albergues with the central heating on. We had frost a couple of times early in the morning but not to bad.Thanks! Will check that insurance option, over and above our Discovery one. Have joint csj of sa. Have dual citizenship which makes EU travels easier. But will still take the CSJ letter along in case i need it.
How was your March CF Camino? How cold 'n wet did it get?
Hi Peter The weather in March / April was very pleasant and not to warm and we were lucky with the rain. The evenings were cool but sometimes it was to hot in the albergues with the central heating on. We had frost a couple of times early in the morning but not to bad.
In my opinion it is very good time to do the Camino. It is not to warm or to cold, Spain is green in spring time and it is not crowded.
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