Spending New Years Eve on the Camino

[pimentinha]

Hello Everyone

I will be leaving Porto/my Home on the 26th is anyone else doing the camino around those days? Any advices for the winter or new years eve?

Many Thanks

Paulo

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Hi Paulo,

... and I thought I'd be alone on the Camino this time. I fly into Porto on 26th Dec and will start walking on the 27th. At a guess, that would put me in Valenca / Tui for New Year's Eve. Sounds like a blast. I read somewhere to expect flooded paths, which swayed my choice of footwear this time to something without mesh/goretex over the toes. Leather/goretex mids this time and very small and low gators will my footwear choice.

Maybe I'll see you on the Way?

Cheers,

The German

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Thanks for the information Albertinho. If I'm still in Portugal I will drink a glass for you.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Saude ! Zum Wohl ! Drink a glass for me if you are in Spain as well Salut
Enjoy and have a safe journey
Schöne Grüsse frohe Weinachten und guter Rutsch !

So that's one glass in Valencia ans another in Tui? Salut und prost! vie got 31km so walk the next day so that had better be my limit

 

[pimentinha]

Herman, please send me an email paulomlp77@gmail.com

See you on the way

Paulo

 

[Al the optimist]

Strictly speaking I will be spending New Years Eve on the Camino as I will travel to Navacerrada (on the Camino Madrid) that day to visit my friend who lives there. The Camino passes her door, so after the 12 grapes we will walk a hundred yards of it to the bar!

 

[Diogo92]

@HermanTheGerman and @pimentinha, please be aware of the following information.

The spanish National Protection Service has raised a bad weather warning from tomorrow, untill the first week of January. An Atlantic front it's coming to hit Northern Portugal and Galicia, with rain to reach up to 90l/m2 in 12 hours, and winds up to 120km per hour.

So, be carefull out there. Have a great time, but don't push it. For the portuguese part, you can use (+351) 915 595 213, The Via Lusitana SOS phone number for pilgrims.

If you really need help, you can use the EU 112 Emergency number. Carry a whistle if you can.

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Diogo, thank you very much for the warning. I will be sure to be extra careful this time. I always have a whistle with me and will be taking protective glasses against the wind. I was wondering if the storm front from the UK would creep its way down which is what people are expecting now by the sound of things. I will channel my energy and think of sunny skies. Hopefully that will be enough. Cheers, The German

 

[Mark Gaulicia]

I was wondering if the storm front from the UK would creep its way down which is what people are expecting now by the sound of things

It is here. Very strong gusting winds c100kmh, driving rain at 500m plus. It is not so cold air temps, or wind chill, but quite fierce at the moment. Take care out there.

http://www.aemet.es/es/portada (accurate weather para Galicia)

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Strictly speaking I will be spending New Years Eve on the Camino as I will travel to Navacerrada (on the Camino Madrid) that day to visit my friend who lives there. The Camino passes her door, so after the 12 grapes we will walk a hundred yards of it to the bar!

Hey Al that's good news that we're not the only ones on the Camino over New Year's. Wish you a good one!

 

[HermanTheGerman]

It is here. Very strong gusting winds c100kmh, driving rain at 500m plus. It is not so cold air temps, or wind chill, but quite fierce at the moment. Take care out there.

http://www.aemet.es/es/portada (accurate weather para Galicia)

The winds are also pretty fierce here in Germany, but where I live it's not unusual. The trick is to stay low and travel along the sides of the mountains instead over the tops or over the plateaus. Also be aware of the surrounding types of trees; pine are more susceptible to being blown down in a storm as oak for instance. I'll be keeping my eye on the weather forecast and pray that the worst of the storm will be gone by the 26th.

 

[LTfit]

Here in Holland on the coast the winds are also quite fierce!

I will also be walking the last few days of the year but along the Francés (doing a mini-Camino from Sarria-Santiago) and hope to spend Nochevieja in Santiago with a group of peregrino/hospitalero friends.

Have a safe Camino along the Portuguese and may 2014 be filled with lots of wonderful Caminos!

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Here in Holland on the coast the winds are also quite fierce!

I will also be walking the last few days of the year but along the Francés (doing a mini-Camino from Sarria-Santiago) and hope to spend Nochevieja in Santiago with a group of peregrino/hospitalero friends.

Have a safe Camino along the Portuguese and may 2014 be filled with lots of wonderful Caminos!

Thanks LTfit, I wish you also a great Camino and 2014. If you're still on Santiago on the 5th Jan then perhaps we'll meet.

 

[LTfit]

Not that fortunate. I catch a train to Madrid on the 2nd and back to work on the 3rd.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Well if the winds are no stronger than 90kmh it should be quite doable. We were up on the mountain where we live last night on heilig Abend with a hot thermos of gleuwein. The winds were a blowing, but with my Leki poles and a tail wind I felt like Steve Austin the bionic pilgrim... was a little hard to hear the sound fx though... ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch

 

[Frisbie]

I just finished the Frances in June and the desire to return is so strong. Since I dont't think I can take off another 6 weeks in spring/summer , I am contemplating doing Portuguese or Sarria/Santiago during Christmas/New Years vacation since I am off work at that time. Not sure which would have more open alburgues or more importantly more fellow pilgrims. I know it will be different than spring, but would still hope to have some people around. Would one route be better for weather than the other? Please share your experience and thoughts for those who have been there for Christmas and/or New Years.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

I've walked the Portuguese twice over new years Eve. The first time I spent it in the really nice stone municipal albergue at Redondela with 8 other pilgrims. The city was pumping with action although there was an 8pm curfew.. Nothing a wedge of paper in the door won't fix . the second time I was in Valenca on the Portuguese side of the border. Ghost town. There was absolutely nothing open and nobody to be seen. You're better off walking the extra 3 km to cross the bridge and get to Tui, where there's plenty of action. We passed many people here tje next morning who were still partying in the streets. BuenCamino, the German

 

[Isca-camigo]

Not Portuguese related but I spent New Years Eve in Pedruso on the CF, there was no cafes, bars or anything open, 10 pilgrims in the Xunta albergue and 5 of us in a hotel. The locals had gone to Santiago for the night. If you want a really quiet last day into Santiago then walk it on New Years day, but dont expect any cafes to be open for a caffeine shot.