Hi Richard,
I walked the
camino frances last fall, starting the end of September. By the time I got near Santiago, a lot of albergues were closed for the season. Going earlier in the month, you should not have that problem. I had two weeks of steady rain, but not downpours, oddly enough on the meseta, not in Galicia. The temperature was pleasant for walking. This year, I am going two weeks earlier, but am starting in Oloron Ste Marie, on the camino d'Arles, so will be heading into the Pyrenees, where temperatures may be lower, and planning on arriving in Santiago in early November. You don't say where you are from, but for most of us who come from a temperate climate September/ October is a good time to walk and not too crowded. Buen camino to both of you.