Starting the Camino in a couple of days

[Shyland]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post!

I'm planning to start the camino Frances in a couple of days. I'm from Vancouver, Canada and I just finished a 2 week trip in Ireland. I am now in England and going to make my way over to Spain. I'm not sure if I'm going to start in Burgos or Leon. I would like to do the trail for 2-3 weeks. I'm starting to get cold feet and wonder 'what the heck am I doing?'. I guess I'm a little scared of walking the trail alone. I have The camino de santiago book (Anna Dintaman and David Landis). Do I need an app/GPS or is my book sufficient? What's the best way to get to Burgos or Leon from the UK? Any info or words of wisdom so I don't talk myself out of doing this would be so appreciated. Thank you

Shawndra

 

[Andrew James Doyle]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post!

I'm planning to start the camino Frances in a couple of days. I'm from Vancouver, Canada and I just finished a 2 week trip in Ireland. I am now in England and going to make my way over to Spain. I'm not sure if I'm going to start in Burgos or Leon. I would like to do the trail for 2-3 weeks. I'm starting to get cold feet and wonder 'what the heck am I doing?'. I guess I'm a little scared of walking the trail alone. I have The camino de santiago book (Anna Dintaman and David Landis). Do I need an app/GPS or is my book sufficient? What's the best way to get to Burgos or Leon from the UK? Any info or words of wisdom so I don't talk myself out of doing this would be so appreciated. Thank you

Shawndra

Can't help with how to get to your start but can reassure you that the way will be marked well and am sure you'll find fellow perigrinios to walk with you... . Buen Camino..

 

[Shyland]

Thank you Andrew!

 

[nycwalking]

Many, many, many women walk alone. I did. You will be just fine. Face the challenge. See the Cathedrals in both Leon and Burgos. Check rome2rio.com for logistics.
Buen camino.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

What's the best way to get to Burgos

There are flights from any of the London airports to Bilbao, then take a bus to Burgos.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post!

I'm planning to start the camino Frances in a couple of days. I'm from Vancouver, Canada and I just finished a 2 week trip in Ireland. I am now in England and going to make my way over to Spain. I'm not sure if I'm going to start in Burgos or Leon. I would like to do the trail for 2-3 weeks. I'm starting to get cold feet and wonder 'what the heck am I doing?'. I guess I'm a little scared of walking the trail alone. I have The camino de santiago book (Anna Dintaman and David Landis). Do I need an app/GPS or is my book sufficient? What's the best way to get to Burgos or Leon from the UK? Any info or words of wisdom so I don't talk myself out of doing this would be so appreciated. Thank you

Shawndra

Hi Shawndra , my wife walked also alone from SJPdP to Santiago and that was no problem what so ever.
Lots of Pilgrims walking,It's some times hard to walk alone.

Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino,Peter.

 

[David]

Shawndra, hi - you need to know that an integral part of the pre-Camino run-up are the "why am I doing this" "I won't be strong enough" "I will be alone" "I won't know what to do" wails - is totally normal .. ignore them and go! As for walking alone - well, you won't be, you will meet pilgrims from all over the world and may make some lifelong friends too - so be not afraid - we all felt exactly the same the first time before we stepped off the cliff!!

When I went to Burgos earlier this year from England I took the Brittany ferry from Plymouth to Santander, then the bus to Burgos - easy-peasy!! The Santander coach station is only a few hundred yards from the ferry terminal and the Burgos coach station is in the centre. Is the simplest and most pleasant way to do it (but then, I don't fly).
Was also fun as you get a mini-cruise at sea!! The bus was only a few euros and the ferry was cheap too. You have to book accommodation on the ship but this can just be a reclining seat - the trick there is to book the £5 seat but sleep on the carpet!!
The Train - http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search
The Ferry - http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/
The Coach - https://www.goeuro.com/buses_from_santander_to_burgos

Hang on - from Vancouver and just spent time in Eire? Were you there with Angela Hemming?

 

[NomadBoomer]

I just finished my first camino Frances. Lots of women walking alone, they normally find another friend to travel with if they want to. If you only have 2-3 weeks I suggest starting from León rather than Burgos so you have plenty of time.
I absolutely loved the Way you will too.
Buen Camino

 

[Shyland]

Thank you David!!!

That's a lot of great info

I was in Ireland with my mom and sister. It's a beautiful place. Angela Hemming was with us

Thank you again for all the great info. Really appreciated.

Buen camino
Shawndra

 

[Shyland]

Hi Shawndra , my wife walked also alone from SJPdP to Santiago and that was no problem what so ever.
Lots of Pilgrims walking,It's some times hard to walk alone.

Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino,Peter.

Thank you Peter! I'm encouraged to just go for it!!
Buen camino
Shawndra

 

[Shyland]

I just finished my first camino Frances. Lots of women walking alone, they normally find another friend to travel with if they want to. If you only have 2-3 weeks I suggest starting from León rather than Burgos so you have plenty of time.
I absolutely loved the Way you will too.
Buen Camino

Thank you! Appreciate the info
Buen camino
Shawndra

 

[David]

Sure - absolutely just go for it!! and give my best to Angela!!

 

[Shyland]

Sure - absolutely just go for it!! and give my best to Angela!!

Oops David that should've said Angela Hemming WASN'T with us ‍ Sorry typo.

 

[terryenroute]

I would echo the advise to start in Leon.