Start Walking on a Sunday

[Tumbleweed]

Hello my fellow Peregrinos,

I received my invitation from God to walk the Camino, I have accepted and will start my first Camino this year. After many months of research I have recently thought about starting from SJPdP on a Sunday mid September. I've read that many start mid week because on Monday most places are closed. Will starting on a Sunday cause much inconvience during my first few days?

Also, I am looking at just purchasing a silk liner and using blankets. Will this be enough for this time of year? Mid Sept thru 3 weeks of Oct.

Thank you all for the wonderful posts I have aleady learned from.

Angela
BornToWalkAlone

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Angela!

Good luck with your planning.

I don't think it makes much difference what day of the week you start really. You'll be there for a month so will experience all seven days of the week several times. The Spanish love going out for a walk and a bite to eat at weekends with the (sometimes extended) family. Unless you need to buy any kit/clothes etc it shouldn't affect you at all.

At that time of year I'd lean towards some kind of sleeping bag more than just a liner. Yes, they usually have blankets at the albergues, and private rooms are always warm, but better safe than sorry.

You won't starve or freeze so Buen Camino!

p.s. Sorry Angela - I think I misread your original post. Yes a few family-run places close early in the week for rest (sometimes just for the afternoon) but it's not a significant problem at all. You'll still be able to find what you need. There might be fewer trains/buses etc to get to your starting point over the weekend, but you can work that out.

 

[mralisn]

I don't think starting on a Sunday will bring any grief.

However, it would be a good idea to always have money in hand for the weekend. Be sure to visit ATM on Thursday or Friday if you are running low. I've met many others who have tried to use ATM on Saturday or Sunday only to have card captured and have to wait around for bank opening on Monday to retrieve.

I am glad you accepted the invitation.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Thank you both for the advice. I am looking for a lightweight down sleeping bag online and wow they are expensive. Does anyone one have any ideas of where I can find a less espensive bag or what brand to shop or a particular store?

Angela

 

[nreyn12]

Hi Angela,

On the Camino there are so many choices for services that something is always open, it seems. Bars and accommodations are always open, regardless. Shops may close for a half day, but that shouldn't cause any trouble. Sunday is a bigger challenge, if you are starting in SJPP. Pick up any supplies you need on Saturday, or plan to eat in a bar.

As for the sleeping bag question, unless you are a really cold sleeper normally, a silk liner should be sufficient. I have used one on three fall walks, and will continue to do so. I was even fine in early October in Roncesvalles, which has no blankets.
Nancy

 

[Jacki Dufty]

Hi Angela,

I walked from SJPdP in Sept-Oct 2009 and used my down sleeping bag most nights. I live in Queensland, Australia and wouldn't dream of walking anywhere in Europe without it. The one time that I was too lazy to get it out and used the alburgue's blankets instead I got bed bugs!

Buen Camino. Jacki.

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Angela.

You still have plenty of time, so maybe bookmark the websites of the major outdoor retailers and check from time to time to see if any have a sale between now and you leaving. You may be lucky and pick up a bargain. I think I picked mine up for something like £5, but that was very lucky. It isn't the best but it is good enough for the Camino.

Buen Camino!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

used the alburgue's blankets instead I got bed bugs!

The odds are that the blankets did not bring the bed bugs. Bed bugs nest in walls, seams, and crevices, not in blankets. If it was a stray that got picked up with the blanket, it originally came from the vicinity of your bunk, and may have found you anyway!

If the albergue does not have bed bugs, the blankets will not have bed bugs. Once you have bought the bunk, you have bought the bed bugs. So feel free to use the blankets; they will not increase your danger. :wink:

And treat your sleep gear with permethrin to help avoid the bed bugs in the bunk (or in the blanket), and keep your arms and legs inside the treated sleep sack. Bed bugs go for exposed flesh, and normally do not crawl deep into your sleeping bag unless you bring them in on your arm or foot.

 

[Tumbleweed]

My Sleeping bag choice

Okay, I've decided on a Mountain Hardware down 35/50 flip sleeping bag. It compresses down nicely and only weighs 1.13 lbs. I found it at Sierra Trading Post, they gave me a 30% off coupon and I have a $20 gift card. I'm so thrilled. Now on to finding the right backpack. I'm looking at the Osprey Talon for women. Please, any comments or suggestions are welcomed.

PS: I've changed my dates, leave US on Sept 1, start walking from sjpdp on the 3rd or 4th.

Buen Camino

 

[dougfitz]

I'm looking at the Osprey Talon for women. Please, any comments or suggestions are welcomed.

You might want to browse the Equipment Questions topic or plug the term 'Osprey Talon' into the search engine (link is in green at the top of the page) for a more focussed review of what has been contributed in the past about this pack.

Regards,

 

[capun]

Just FYI, in Spain a lot of the smaller town's Medical Posts and Pharmacies close Saturday at around 2PM and they are closed Sundays. Even in larger towns you have to search for a Pharmacy open on Sundays. Just found it the hard way, we completed our Sarria to Santiago Camino last Sunday. My wife developed a bad rash and could not find anything in Pedrouzo/Arca on Saturday, on Sunday we had to search for an open Pharmacy ("De Turno") to get a ointment.