SJPdP Starting 27 August 2019

[Denise Lisle]

Hi everyone, I am a new member and plan to walk the camino from SJPdP on the 27/08/2019. My first camino was from Porto in April last year. Look forward to this new adventure.

 

[Glenshiro]

It will be hot! Take plenty of water, especially on the Route Napoleon. Above all, have a great Camino.

 

[MethaV]

You will love it! I did my French Camino four years ago, starting end of August and it was great. You will have lots of time to read about it and to have all the advice you may need.
My best advice to you is - a lot of training and then ENJOY!

 

[Mike Blackard]

Hi Denise, I arrive in SJPDP late on 8/27 & start walking with friend Scott on 28th. Did the CF Sept. 6- Oct. 12 2018. Absolutely fantastic experience. Highly recommend you stop at Orrison first day. It's only about a 3 hour hike, but it is 100% up hill. The albergue experience there is memorable (my first). Comfortable mattress on bunk bed. Nice shared bathrooms with good showers. Laundry machines with dryers or clothelines. Very nice communal dinner for all guests (no place else to eat)- plenty to eat, soup, salad, bread, chicken with vegetables, wine, but best was everyone was asked to stand up, introduce themselves, say where they were from, and why were they here. It was great- 50 guests (full house) 6 said they were there for purely religious reasons, about 10 for spiritual reasons, and the rest of us (about 34) said for the adventure, or to meet new people, or like me- didn't have a clue . A truly amazing thing was there were 12 people from my city of Seattle! Except for 3 or 4 couples, we were all strangers to each other. Orrison was the only albergue that went thru this ritual, & later, the feeling of good fortune by all of us who would bump into each other along the way, sometimes weeks later, was universal. BREAK up the hardest first stage to Roncesvalles by stopping at Orrison.
PS - make reservations for both Orrison and Roncesvalles at least a month or two in advance. Both were turning people away last year in early Sept. Buen Caamino, mike

 

[Denise Lisle]

You will love it! I did my French Camino four years ago, starting end of August and it was great. You will have lots of time to read about it and to have all the advice you may need.
My best advice to you is - a lot of training and then ENJOY!

Thanks MethaV, will start training Mid Jan.

 

[Denise Lisle]

Thanks MethaV, will start training Mid Jan.

Hi Denise, I arrive in SJPDP late on 8/27 & start walking with friend Scott on 28th. Did the CF Sept. 6- Oct. 12 2018. Absolutely fantastic experience. Highly recommend you stop at Orrison first day. It's only about a 3 hour hike, but it is 100% up hill. The albergue experience there is memorable (my first). Comfortable mattress on bunk bed. Nice shared bathrooms with good showers. Laundry machines with dryers or clothelines. Very nice communal dinner for all guests (no place else to eat)- plenty to eat, soup, salad, bread, chicken with vegetables, wine, but best was everyone was asked to stand up, introduce themselves, say where they were from, and why were they here. It was great- 50 guests (full house) 6 said they were there for purely religious reasons, about 10 for spiritual reasons, and the rest of us (about 34) said for the adventure, or to meet new people, or like me- didn't have a clue . A truly amazing thing was there were 12 people from my city of Seattle! Except for 3 or 4 couples, we were all strangers to each other. Orrison was the only albergue that went thru this ritual, & later, the feeling of good fortune by all of us who would bump into each other along the way, sometimes weeks later, was universal. BREAK up the hardest first stage to Roncesvalles by stopping at Orrison.
PS - make reservations for both Orrison and Roncesvalles at least a month or two in advance. Both were turning people away last year in early Sept. Buen Caamino, mike

Hi Mike, thanks for all the info, always good to have. I do plan to stop in Orbison and take it easy to start with. I’m meeting up with friends on the 22/9 in Astorga so other than that I have no plans , will take it as it comes and look forward to this experience.

 

[Denise Lisle]

It will be hot! Take plenty of water, especially on the Route Napoleon. Above all, have a great Camino.

Hi Glenshiro, hopefully The weather will be kind to me, but will be sure to have plenty of water anyway.

 

[Denise Lisle]

Does anyone have the email address for the albergue in Orrison, I am unable to contact them to make a reservation.

 

[Mike Blackard]

refuge.orison@wanadoo.fr / +33559491303 / www.refuge-orisson.com
I think they close for the winter, so I recommend making your reservation in spring for your summer/fall camino.

 

[Denise Lisle]

Thanks Mike, I will try again in spring.

 

[Denise Lisle]

Hi Denise, I arrive in SJPDP late on 8/27 & start walking with friend Scott on 28th. Did the CF Sept. 6- Oct. 12 2018. Absolutely fantastic experience. Highly recommend you stop at Orrison first day. It's only about a 3 hour hike, but it is 100% up hill. The albergue experience there is memorable (my first). Comfortable mattress on bunk bed. Nice shared bathrooms with good showers. Laundry machines with dryers or clothelines. Very nice communal dinner for all guests (no place else to eat)- plenty to eat, soup, salad, bread, chicken with vegetables, wine, but best was everyone was asked to stand up, introduce themselves, say where they were from, and why were they here. It was great- 50 guests (full house) 6 said they were there for purely religious reasons, about 10 for spiritual reasons, and the rest of us (about 34) said for the adventure, or to meet new people, or like me- didn't have a clue . A truly amazing thing was there were 12 people from my city of Seattle! Except for 3 or 4 couples, we were all strangers to each other. Orrison was the only albergue that went thru this ritual, & later, the feeling of good fortune by all of us who would bump into each other along the way, sometimes weeks later, was universal. BREAK up the hardest first stage to Roncesvalles by stopping at Orrison.
PS - make reservations for both Orrison and Roncesvalles at least a month or two in advance. Both were turning people away last year in early Sept. Buen Caamino, mike

Hi Mike, I have taken your advise and have booked in Orrison and Roncesvalles, getting really excited now. I'm looking to find a share ride from Pau to SJPDP as the G7 summit is on and I have been re-routed to Pau.
Thanks for all your suggestions and encouragement .