Starting from SJPP in early August

[Alison Penfold]

In advance thank you for your consideration of this thread and sharing your knowledge with a first timer.

I have little choice but to commence my Camino (starting in St John) around the 7th of August. I am in between jobs and have a defined period for travel to walk my first Camino. Reading up on likely conditions I have noted that August is a busy month on the Camino Frances. Whether this year is any different to previous years will only been seen. Grateful for any advice or tips from those of you who have walked at this time of year including this issue of large groups of Spanish college kids walking in August.

Before you respond I have noted that:-

• It will be very hot (am Australian and used to hot dry/humid conditions
• Accommodation could be at a premium and I may need to book ahead (private alburgues/hotels)
• Best to steer clear of the Brierley program

I understand that the Camino can't be truly planned. It is an organic experience and one must go with the flow. This will be a great challenge for me but hopefully a humbling and rewarding experience (getting over being OCD).

Buen camino to those setting out soon and a bit of encouragement to those thinking about it.

 

[Lance Chambers]

Can I suggest it would be a very good idea to phone ahead and book accommodation.

If you have an android tablet or phone this app will help a lot:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.moemke.android.mycamino

It is free to download and use - the writer asks for donations but that's it - I am not involved with the author but love it.

It allows you to download a map to your device so you can use it without available wifi but it also has maps that work with wifi.

Allows you to do a lot of very useful stuff - can set-up preselected itineraries and it suggests stops, can add rest days, maps of every town, city and village, shows the route, shows locations of all the hostels/alburgues and shows facilities, prices, and exact map location. If you zoom in on the downloadable map also shows banks, ATMs, restaurants, other hotels, police, post office, etc., etc.

I hope to start on the 4th Aug and I'm sure you'll catch up with me and shoot past

Buen Camino

 

[Alison Penfold]

Can I suggest it would be a very good idea to phone ahead and book accommodation.

If you have an android tablet or phone this app will help a lot:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.moemke.android.mycamino

It is free to download and use - the writer asks for donations but that's it - I am not involved with the author but love it.

It allows you to download a map to your device so you can use it without available wifi but it also has maps that work with wifi.

Allows you to do a lot of very useful stuff - can set-up preselected itineraries and it suggests stops, can add rest days, maps of every town, city and village, shows the route, shows locations of all the hostels/alburgues and shows facilities, prices, and exact map location. If you zoom in on the downloadable map also shows banks, ATMs, restaurants, other hotels, police, post office, etc., etc.

I hope to start on the 4th Aug and I'm sure you'll catch up with me and shoot past

Buen Camino

That's a great tip. Many thanks

 

[SYates]

Apart of not following the Brierley stages, consider also starting at an "odd" day. A lot of people incorporate a weekend in their holidays and a typical starting day would be Friday/Saturday. If, for example, you are starting out on a Tuesday from Roncesvalles you avoid, at least a bit, "the pilgrim waves". Buen Camino, SY