- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF 2023 sept/Oct
Primitivo July 2024
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Hi DaveHello all
... What I would be interested in though is the variation of routes in places, and the historical/points of interest along the way. Also, the thought of lying on my bunk thumbing through a guidebook is quite appealing, and having sat on the shelf at home afterward and maybe even passing it on to someone else.
...
What are other people's thoughts/experiences/opinions?
Thank you,
Dave
I thought I'd solve my dilemma (weight-wise but apparently not cost-wise) by getting the Kindle version of the Brierley one on my phone but having downloaded the "try before you buy" first few pages, it is far from easy to use on a telephone.
What are other people's thoughts/experiences/opinions?
Thank you,
Dave
Great info thank you Robo, will take a lookI have lots of guide books at home for research purposes, but I rarely read them to be honest.
I find the text too small on most!
I do most of my research by reading blogs and watching videos.
There are some great 'virtual' camino threads on here too.
I have a lot of guidebooks on my phone, kindle versions, but again I rarely look at them.
Most of them are too fiddly to use, for me at least.
What I do use all the time are three things:
The Gronze website, to plan my distances a day or two ahead, to look at the route profile, to review accomodation options, to get accommodation contact details and finally, to download a GPS track for the coming days. The Gronze site gives me exactly what I need, in a simple format with no frills. It even has descriptions of the route and photos.
Then I use Maps.me to open the GPS tracks from Gronze. Again it's very easy to use and clearly shows me where I am, where the Camino track is, and I can also look at places and things along the route. I tried Wikiloc which is very popular, but I found it overly complicated to use. It kept beeping at me and telling me I was walking in the wrong direction! (like 180 degrees wrong) Maps.me is much easier to use. Again it gives you what you need, not loads of stuff you don't need.
And finally I use Google Maps! This is great to look at the towns and villages I'm passing through to search for bars, cafes etc. As it also shows the opening hours...... When coming into a town or village I'll also use google maps to find my accomodation. Though I can do that on maps.me as well.
So whilst I also have a few guidebooks on my phone whilst walking, I hardly look at them, if ever.
So I guess you write the blog using your phone? I'm keen to keep notes/journal or maybe even blog for like you family and friends. But I was wondering about the practicability of doing this easily on a small phone screen?Hi Dave
Interesting question. Wants and needs are two different things. On the Frances, you could easily get by without 'guidance' of any sort - whether that's a paper book, an e-book, or an app. You don't need any of those - and as @Bradypus says, you can find plenty of information online.
At the same time, I can understand the appeal of 'lying on my bunk thumbing through a guidebook ... etc'. I have often done just that. I'm fairly technically savvy - and comfortable using my phone for all manner of things. I write a blog for every camino, as a keepsake and to share with family and friends. But on the many paths we've walked, if there's been a slim guidebook available, I've taken that too and not regretted it. How do I use it? I thumb through as you describe to get a feel for the next day ... I mark the accommodation where we end up staying, and maybe even write a comment or two. I like having the keepsakes and I've lent them to others.
So, do you need a paper guide book - NO. But if you think you'd enjoy having one, at the time and/or later - why not? The Brierley slim version for the Frances is lightweight. If you change your mind along the Way, you can always 'donate' it at an albergue.
Buen Camino.
I've just noticed that Gronz have a Gronze Maps app - I guess this might combine the first two things you mentione Robo? Anyone used this app who can comment?I have lots of guide books at home for research purposes, but I rarely read them to be honest.
I find the text too small on most!
I do most of my research by reading blogs and watching videos.
There are some great 'virtual' camino threads on here too.
I have a lot of guidebooks on my phone, kindle versions, but again I rarely look at them.
Most of them are too fiddly to use, for me at least.
What I do use all the time are three things:
The Gronze website, to plan my distances a day or two ahead, to look at the route profile, to review accomodation options, to get accommodation contact details and finally, to download a GPS track for the coming days. The Gronze site gives me exactly what I need, in a simple format with no frills. It even has descriptions of the route and photos.
Then I use Maps.me to open the GPS tracks from Gronze. Again it's very easy to use and clearly shows me where I am, where the Camino track is, and I can also look at places and things along the route. I tried Wikiloc which is very popular, but I found it overly complicated to use. It kept beeping at me and telling me I was walking in the wrong direction! (like 180 degrees wrong) Maps.me is much easier to use. Again it gives you what you need, not loads of stuff you don't need.
And finally I use Google Maps! This is great to look at the towns and villages I'm passing through to search for bars, cafes etc. As it also shows the opening hours...... When coming into a town or village I'll also use google maps to find my accomodation. Though I can do that on maps.me as well.
So whilst I also have a few guidebooks on my phone whilst walking, I hardly look at them, if ever.
Many people do, but I take my iPad mini. As I tend to write quite a lot, I prefer to write on my iPad.I suspect most people - especially younger than me - are fine writing on their phone.So I guess you write the blog using your phone? I'm keen to keep notes/journal or maybe even blog for like you family and friends. But I was wondering about the practicability of doing this easily on a small phone screen?
Perfect thank you - will take a lookMany people do, but I take my iPad mini. As I tend to write quite a lot, I prefer to write on my iPad.
If you are interested in an easy to use blogging app for your own keepsake or share with family and friends, check out Find Penguins. The free version allows 10 photos per post (called Footprints). The number of posts per trip is unlimited. If you want, at the end of your ‘trip’ you can have a lovely printed book - not cheap, but of a high standard.
If you’d like to see how it looks, here’s a link to my FO blog from the Camino Baztan (and some days on the Aragones) earlier this year. I wrote this mostly on my iPad, sometimes on my phone.
Camino Baztan … and more. | FindPenguins
Walking one of the oldest Camino paths, from Bayonne in France to Pamplona in Spain - and a few days more.findpenguins.com
Easy to download and do some practice posts before you go. Your friends and family don’t have to join to see your posts.
I used the Brierly guidebook for the CF. I thought it was great. I used an app to keep me on track, but the guide book was awesome at the end of a day, after I'd showered and hit the local watering hole. I'd plan how far I wanted to hike for the next day; regardless of where the stage may end. I always did my own thing, but it was nice to come across information that I wasn't aware of which peaked my interest-(historical sites, point of interest, etc.). I actually found a few numbers to albergues in the guidebook that weren't available on my camino app, so it saved me twice. Not trying to sell you on using it, but I did find it quite useful. As far as weight goes, we're talking ounces so I really don't think that you'll find it an issue. Buen camino!Hello all
I appreciate this is probably something that gets asked a lot, but I did a search and nothing recent came up (with my limited technical knowledge).
So I keep swaying between taking a guidebook and not taking a guidebook. I have no issues with the route as it is obviously well-marked. What I would be interested in though is the variation of routes in places, and the historical/points of interest along the way. Also, the thought of lying on my bunk thumbing through a guidebook is quite appealing, and having sat on the shelf at home afterward and maybe even passing it on to someone else.
So the weight issue is what puts me off getting one (plus cost to a lesser degree), and the fact that most stuff you can find online, albeit the book would have it all in one place. I thought I'd solve my dilemma (weight-wise but apparently not cost-wise) by getting the Kindle version of the Brierley one on my phone but having downloaded the "try before you buy" first few pages, it is far from easy to use on a telephone.
What are other people's thoughts/experiences/opinions?
Thank you,
Dave
I too use screenshots, as they are off line. If I am concerned about a particular section, then I make a paper photo cop from the book, and carry it as insurance. But I no longer carry a whole guide.I used to bring the book with me on the Camino, but I now take screenshots of the pages and it works well, in addition to using Gronze while I am walking.
A paper guidebook like Brierley is nice to have because it's easier to use than a phone IMO. But you absolutely don't need it.So I keep swaying between taking a guidebook and not taking a guidebook.
The main reason I've never used the Blessed JB's books. I didn't want to approach my Camino walking through such a definite mystical/philosophical slanted interpretation. Not a voice I wanted in my head while walking. I think we all have very different ideas of what we want from a guidebook.plus is an actual opinionated guidebook, which is lovely.
Actually, I tend to agree with you. Guidebooks can be a burden if followed too closely. And especially Brierly is a didactic voice.The main reason I've never used the Blessed JB's books. I didn't want to approach my Camino walking through such a definite mystical/philosophical slanted interpretation. Not a voice I wanted in my head while walking. I think we all have very different ideas of what we want from a guidebook.
But maybe not at night in the dorms...As for your blog, can you use the voice recorder on your phone to do voice to text?
The Gronze maps is currently only available as an app for Android phones. It works well, but you need a data connection - the maps cannot be used offline. I only used it when I was walking on the Camino del Norte in France because the maps on my other Camino apps started in Spain.I've just noticed that Gronz have a Gronze Maps app - I guess this might combine the first two things you mentione Robo? Anyone used this app who can comment?
For me, I don't bring a physical book, much as I love them. I will use apps and ebooks instead. If you pick the right ones, they provide as much of the type of information you are looking for as the physical guidebooks. I wouldn't judge all by your Brierley experience.Hello all
I appreciate this is probably something that gets asked a lot, but I did a search and nothing recent came up (with my limited technical knowledge).
So I keep swaying between taking a guidebook and not taking a guidebook. I have no issues with the route as it is obviously well-marked. What I would be interested in though is the variation of routes in places, and the historical/points of interest along the way. Also, the thought of lying on my bunk thumbing through a guidebook is quite appealing, and having sat on the shelf at home afterward and maybe even passing it on to someone else.
So the weight issue is what puts me off getting one (plus cost to a lesser degree), and the fact that most stuff you can find online, albeit the book would have it all in one place. I thought I'd solve my dilemma (weight-wise but apparently not cost-wise) by getting the Kindle version of the Brierley one on my phone but having downloaded the "try before you buy" first few pages, it is far from easy to use on a telephone.
What are other people's thoughts/experiences/opinions?
Thank you,
Dave
Me too. A wonderful book. And, ditto, what @Camino Chrissy said above.If you are interested in the historical/points of interest, nothing matches Gitlitz and Davidson's The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: A Complete Cultural Handbook (at least, for the Frances and Aragones), available as an ebook.
I’m walking the Francis route now, first Camino. Using Gronze and Wise Pilgram, for lodging plans and route respectively. I have physical Village to Village Map Guide for planning daily walk length. I’m pretty tired each day so being able to have physical book to mark dates and stops is helpful to me. Map Guide is thin and light. I used JB for pre planning and missed having his highlights so I got the ebook to look at in the evening on phone.I brought a guidebook only during one of the Caminos I walked and I would say it's useless. As many said, there are a lot of more useful resources online such as Gronze or apps like Buen Camino. I used OSMandMaps offline maps too in some stages when I didn't have phone coverage and the route wasn't well marked, but this is just a random map app like many others.
I brought a guidebook only during one of the Caminos I walked and I would say it's useless. As many said, there are a lot of more useful resources online such as Gronze or apps like Buen Camino. I used OSMandMaps offline maps too in some stages when I didn't have phone coverage and the route wasn't well marked, but this is just a random map app like many others.
Guidebooks can be helpful, digital or paper.Hello all
I appreciate this is probably something that gets asked a lot, but I did a search and nothing recent came up (with my limited technical knowledge).
So I keep swaying between taking a guidebook and not taking a guidebook. I have no issues with the route as it is obviously well-marked. What I would be interested in though is the variation of routes in places, and the historical/points of interest along the way. Also, the thought of lying on my bunk thumbing through a guidebook is quite appealing, and having sat on the shelf at home afterward and maybe even passing it on to someone else.
So the weight issue is what puts me off getting one (plus cost to a lesser degree), and the fact that most stuff you can find online, albeit the book would have it all in one place. I thought I'd solve my dilemma (weight-wise but apparently not cost-wise) by getting the Kindle version of the Brierley one on my phone but having downloaded the "try before you buy" first few pages, it is far from easy to use on a telephone.
What are other people's thoughts/experiences/opinions?
Thank you,
Dave
I'm definitely making a point of not planning anything in advance (apart from Orisson first night), and I'm happy to let the Camino unfold day by dayGuidebooks can be helpful, digital or paper.
I think you’ll figure out what’s best for you.
What I would caution is don’t get locked into
A guidebook lockstep, doing the stages according to the guidebook. Some of my best experiences on the Camino Frances came when I deliberately
switched to stopping and starting mid guidebook stage. The people were all unequivocally wonderful and the places were often special.
Keep your mind and heart and eyes and ears open
and Buen Camino!
I'm definitely making a point of not planning anything in advance (apart from Orisson first night), and I'm happy to let the Camino unfold day by day
Buy guidebooks and read them prior to leaving, Authors deserve the reward. As a book owner, I use my phone to photograph pages I want, I can expand the images and not at weight to my bundle. I have a stack of guide books and they all add to the story.Hello all
I appreciate this is probably something that gets asked a lot, but I did a search and nothing recent came up (with my limited technical knowledge).
So I keep swaying between taking a guidebook and not taking a guidebook. I have no issues with the route as it is obviously well-marked. What I would be interested in though is the variation of routes in places, and the historical/points of interest along the way. Also, the thought of lying on my bunk thumbing through a guidebook is quite appealing, and having sat on the shelf at home afterward and maybe even passing it on to someone else.
So the weight issue is what puts me off getting one (plus cost to a lesser degree), and the fact that most stuff you can find online, albeit the book would have it all in one place. I thought I'd solve my dilemma (weight-wise but apparently not cost-wise) by getting the Kindle version of the Brierley one on my phone but having downloaded the "try before you buy" first few pages, it is far from easy to use on a telephone.
What are other people's thoughts/experiences/opinions?
Thank you,
Dave
I think the Breierly guidebook is worth its weight. I also love reading about the next day's walk and trail options and possible side trips during the evenings.Hello all
I appreciate this is probably something that gets asked a lot, but I did a search and nothing recent came up (with my limited technical knowledge).
So I keep swaying between taking a guidebook and not taking a guidebook. I have no issues with the route as it is obviously well-marked. What I would be interested in though is the variation of routes in places, and the historical/points of interest along the way. Also, the thought of lying on my bunk thumbing through a guidebook is quite appealing, and having sat on the shelf at home afterward and maybe even passing it on to someone else.
So the weight issue is what puts me off getting one (plus cost to a lesser degree), and the fact that most stuff you can find online, albeit the book would have it all in one place. I thought I'd solve my dilemma (weight-wise but apparently not cost-wise) by getting the Kindle version of the Brierley one on my phone but having downloaded the "try before you buy" first few pages, it is far from easy to use on a telephone.
What are other people's thoughts/experiences/opinions?
Thank you,
Dave
The Camino Ninja app has been taken over, and is back in the iPhone app store, and us supposed to be back on Android soon.. I also used the Buen Camino app and Camino Ninja (RIP
Since yesterday the Camino Ninja App is finally back in the app store at Apple:
https://apps.apple.com/de/app/camino-ninja-app/id1491232190
Android will follow soon.
Yes this really appeals to me too.I think the Breierly guidebook is worth its weight. I also love reading about the next day's walk and trail options and possible side trips during the evenings.
I did my first camino this year from SJPDP to Santiago. I'd had a Breirley guide which I gave away after the first day as I had just overpacked. I spent the whole Camino just following the arrows. Only once missed a turn coming out of Burgos when a lovely man stopped me and then a incredibly nice woman gave me a lift back to the turn off. I hadn't gone that far out of the way but if I'd kept going it wouldn't have been so good. Sometimes coming out of cities is more confusing but that one was just me being half asleep really, don't know why I missed it as it was quite clear. The other bit, Burgos again, is coming into the city. Apparently there is a scenic route you can take, but not knowing this I walked for miles through an awful industrial estate, about 12ks I think before you get to the nice part of the city. My ankle was swollen for days after that. Do you need a guide book? Not really but it may help!Hello all
I appreciate this is probably something that gets asked a lot, but I did a search and nothing recent came up (with my limited technical knowledge).
So I keep swaying between taking a guidebook and not taking a guidebook. I have no issues with the route as it is obviously well-marked. What I would be interested in though is the variation of routes in places, and the historical/points of interest along the way. Also, the thought of lying on my bunk thumbing through a guidebook is quite appealing, and having sat on the shelf at home afterward and maybe even passing it on to someone else.
So the weight issue is what puts me off getting one (plus cost to a lesser degree), and the fact that most stuff you can find online, albeit the book would have it all in one place. I thought I'd solve my dilemma (weight-wise but apparently not cost-wise) by getting the Kindle version of the Brierley one on my phone but having downloaded the "try before you buy" first few pages, it is far from easy to use on a telephone.
What are other people's thoughts/experiences/opinions?
Thank you,
Dave
So I guess you write the blog using your phone? I'm keen to keep notes/journal or maybe even blog for like you family and friends. But I was wondering about the practicability of doing this easily on a small phone screen?
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