Refugicios.

As I have never walked that way before -nor lived in a refugio I do not know what to anticipate but would like to follow all the rules and ettiquette

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No general rules although individual refugios have their own rules about lights out, leaving time in the morning etc. The general principle is consideration for you fellow pilgrims in the hope that they will be as considerate to you.

just felt that avoiding the heat in July would be possible by starting out much earlier. Do not wish to disturb or inconvenience any of the pilgrims. It gets so bright by 0400 hours here so it is possible that might be the case in Spain..?

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Early starts are the norm in mid summer. You will not be alone, 0400 seems very early and remember not everybody wants to start at or before dawn. Be as quiet as you can be.

Also, want so much to be in Compostella on 29- 31 July Festival of St James.

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You will be in the company of a great many others, mostly Spanish especially on the last 100 km.

And, would you any of you book a flight return from Compostella before you get there ?

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Yes if it meant getting a super cheap Ryanair flight and I was only doing a short section and could allow some extra time. If I was doing the journey from the Pyrenees it would be too constricting on the journey as a whole.

Buen Camino
William

In the middle of summer lots of people start early and finish walking before the midday heat. 4 am is before daybreak. Walking in the dark increases your chance of losing the yellow arrows and stumbling, but it is up to you. The refugio at Rabanaul does not allow pilgrims to leave before daybreak because of the danger of getting lost on the mountain. I quite like leaving a town as the sun comes up; the only time I did leave earlier I managed to take a wrong turning. It was a sort of basic lesson in Why God Created Daylight.....

If you start early be considerate and remember some people are really exhausted and need to sleep.....talkers and NOISY PLASTIC BAGS are a pain - try to find bags (& companions!) that do not rattle. I use canoe bags - they are waterproof but silent. The trick is to minimise movement in the dormitory. I keep everything in my packpack and around my bed in the same order - it saves having to rummage around to find things and minimises the chance of leaving something precious behind (e.g. your towel).

If I'm leaving early I get dressed in another room.

Being in Santiago for July 28th is a blast! Have fun.

Kanga.