Tom Pilgrim
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015 - Sarria - SdC
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You will be fine. There are plenty of beds in albergues that time of year. Your best bet would be to stop in smaller villages rather than the guidebook stopping points. However, the cities and larger villages will have plenty of open albergues, so the worst that will happen is that you will need to try different places. You can reserve ahead if you want. Many of the albergues are on booking.com now.I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September
Wow this is the best answer I have ever read on the Forum!Here are your options. First, find out if there is a second albergue in town or on the edge of town. Second, walk across the street to the one star Hotel that has converted several rooms into albergue style rooms (i.e. removed the queen bed and replaced with it four bunk beds. Third, walk into the nearest bar and ask the bartender for a room (locals who have permanently left town often leave keys to apartments with the bartender to rent out) Fourth, ask the bartender to make some calls (locals who have not left town and wish to rent out their spare bedroom for the night notify the bartender). Fifth, ask the local priest if there overflow accommodations in the church. Sixth, take a taxi East, back up the Camino, to the last town you walked through, spend the night, taxi forward in the morning, and restart walking. Seventh, taxi West down the Camino for a room. Eighth, taxi North (South) to the interstate freeway that parallels the Camino only a few miles away and spend the night. Or, ninth, take off you backpack, throw it on the street, and have a complete meltdown because there are "no options".
Just curious, and maybe helpful to the OP. Have any of the forum members experienced sleeping outdoors unplanned and if so what was it like and where? I'm not asking this to the Camino walkers who do a mix of indoor and outdoor sleeping.
Hmm i spend the nite on a park bench(cold and wet) thinking about sad stuff.
The next day i head out to monsarrott (spelling?) but that is another story. so after 2 days of normal camino a m soooooo very happy, great food and good times. so happy. Its like the rioja grapes i walked by today,they struggle in the stoniest soil ever and red clay which makes the most delicious flavorful wine. sometimes struggling is a good thing ?
The other variable is when you want to end your days. I like to start early and finish early, if you're planning on rolling up to your desired resting spot at 6pm that might be a different story.
Just curious, and maybe helpful to the OP. Have any of the forum members experienced sleeping outdoors unplanned and if so what was it like and where? I'm not asking this to the Camino walkers who do a mix of indoor and outdoor sleeping.
I arrived with three other family members at Monjardin in late April 2017 and the whole tiny town was "completo". The Dutch hospitalero did not offer the patio. I pressed him for other options and he then recommended a new albergue that had just opened in Luquin, which was located on the alternate route in the Brierley guide. I was disappointed to not stay at yhe Dutch run albergue as I'd enjoyed it in 2015, but our new "digs" were just fine and we had the whole place to ourselves. It was worth trudging a few additional kilometers in the heat.RobertS26 gave us a great list. There you have it.
On my Camino, I did reach Villamayor de Monjardin late in the day and with no beds left. I checked for other accommodations in the tiny town and there were none. The Dutch Hospitalero gave me the options of either going back or catching a cab to the next town, because I was completely spent. I wanted to do neither. Instead, I asked where I might sleep outside that would be acceptable. He offered their front patio area and graciously brought out some extra pads for me. He also offered me the albergue restroom and shower for one euro, which I eagerly accepted. When bedtime came around, there were 6 of us stretched out in front of the albergue. The flagstones were hard, but the experience was marvelous. One of the other out-sleepers remarked in the morning that it was his best night yet.
Hi Tom,Hello Everyone,
This is my first post, as I plan my first full Camino (Frances) from St. JdP to Santiago. Three years ago, I completed the Sarria - Santiago leg using a tour company - delightful, but it whetted my appetite to experience the whole route. I have been interested in this adventure since reading Jack Hitt's book, Off the Road, nearly 20 years ago.
I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September and have been receiving lots of terrific information from this website. Thank you all for your insight, perspectives, and practical information.
One issue that I find of potential concern is not being able to find a bed in an albergue. What then? Do you keep walking until you find an open bed? Sleep under the stars, weather permitting? Am interested in hearing how folks coped with this particular predicament.
Looking forward to becoming an active member.
Best,
Tom
The Camino provides - as rhey say.Don't worry. You always can find A place to Stay as You Have money in your pocket.
Here are your options. First, find out if there is a second albergue in town or on the edge of town. Second, walk across the street to the one star Hotel that has converted several rooms into albergue style rooms (i.e. removed the queen bed and replaced it with four bunk beds. Third, walk into the nearest bar and ask the bartender for a room (locals who have permanently left town often leave keys to apartments with the bartender to rent out). Fourth, ask the bartender to make some calls (locals who have not left town, and wish to rent out their spare bedroom, often notify their bartender that they wish to make some extra money). Fifth, ask the local priest if there is overflow accommodations in the church. Sixth, take a taxi east, back up the Camino, to the last town you walked through, spend the night, taxi forward in the morning, and then restart walking exactly where you left off the day before. Seventh, taxi west down the Camino for a room. Eighth, taxi north (sometimes south) to the freeway that parallels the Camino. It's usually only a few miles away from the Camino and has hotels at many interchanges. Or, ninth, take off you backpack, throw it on the ground, break your walking poles over knee, and have a complete and total meltdown because there are "no options".
Have walked twice in September, 2013 and 2015. Never had any problems getting a bed. In five trips to the camino, I have only seen the dreaded 'completo' sign a couple of times and each time around 5pm. I start early, 7am give or take 30 mins and walk until about 1pm, occasionally 2pm. Then I stop at the next albergue I come to. That gives me about 5 hours walking and an hour for breaks. Thats at least 20km which does me fine. And as I said, I always got a bedHello Everyone,
This is my first post, as I plan my first full Camino (Frances) from St. JdP to Santiago. Three years ago, I completed the Sarria - Santiago leg using a tour company - delightful, but it whetted my appetite to experience the whole route. I have been interested in this adventure since reading Jack Hitt's book, Off the Road, nearly 20 years ago.
I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September and have been receiving lots of terrific information from this website. Thank you all for your insight, perspectives, and practical information.
One issue that I find of potential concern is not being able to find a bed in an albergue. What then? Do you keep walking until you find an open bed? Sleep under the stars, weather permitting? Am interested in hearing how folks coped with this particular predicament.
Looking forward to becoming an active member.
Best,
Tom
"have a complete and total meltdown " or " I went outside and slept the last three or so hours in peace. "
options....
To sleep under the stars,
as they blaze like the eyes
of a long lost love,
best of sleep.
If rain happens,
you get wet
(unless you're the Wicked Witch of the East,
you won't melt)
If you're in a haystack,
little rustlings all night long
make you think of mice,
and you may not sleep well.
Often, tis true
out in the country,
a dog will bark all night long.
Rhythmically,
methodically,
woof woof, woofwoofwoof,
woof woof,woofwoofwoof
all night long.
Getting his own back
for the silence of the day.
If you're female,
you may worry all night.
Unwanted advances happen.
If you're gaunt and not well padded
bones will hurt on hard ground
(unless you've schlepped a pad
along with your super lightweightsleeping bagglet.)
You might well be discombobulated
with
night beauty,
unexpected insomniac bird calls
wind rushing by like angel's wings, on urgent errands
the dizzying scent of night blooming whatstherinames
and those stars...
the magic of being alive
on the Camino
and not safe in some boring warm and comfy bed.
A pilgrim,
wishing well
for the world,
for her soul,
for the joy of being
on the right side of the grass.
In the morning
you'll walk on.
Re pensiones: are they easily found or identified? I leave in 4 days and want to stay/sleep/rest 2 nights in a few places - and preferably not in an albergue. Clues to finding or spotting them?I started walking in the third week of Sept in 2015. I only came upon one full albergue, in Nájera. I found a bed at a really nice pensione. I wouldn’t sweat it.
Re pensiones: are they easily found or identified? I leave in 4 days and want to stay/sleep/rest 2 nights in a few places - and preferably not in an albergue. Clues to finding or spotting them?
Just curious, and maybe helpful to the OP. Have any of the forum members experienced sleeping outdoors unplanned and if so what was it like and where? I'm not asking this to the Camino walkers who do a mix of indoor and outdoor sleeping.
Many bars have rooms upstairs, so that's a good place to ask.Re pensiones: are they easily found or identified? I leave in 4 days and want to stay/sleep/rest 2 nights in a few places - and preferably not in an albergue. Clues to finding or spotting them?
The Wise Pilgrim app is a good source for lodging. In Nájera I heard of the pensione from a fellow pilgrim I came across while walking in search of lodging.Re pensiones: are they easily found or identified? I leave in 4 days and want to stay/sleep/rest 2 nights in a few places - and preferably not in an albergue. Clues to finding or spotting them?
That's the kind of spots I eyed on the Frances as an option in the event there truly was no room at the inn. That is why I brought up carrying the much abandoned and criticized sleeping/ground pad. Having a pad that costs less than 30 euros and weighs less than about 450 grams may just be a wise investment for those pilgrims with no qualms about sleeping outside. Especially the younger pilgrims in groups.
That's the kind of spots I eyed on the Frances as an option in the event there truly was no room at the inn. That is why I brought up carrying the much abandoned and criticized sleeping/ground pad. Having a pad that costs less than 30 euros and weighs less than about 450 grams may just be a wise investment for those pilgrims with no qualms about sleeping outside. Especially the younger pilgrims in groups.
Yes, and that is all that is really needed. It is your torso that needs to be off the ground the most. That is why you see most military ground pads not full length.
It's Actually A tourism thing.The Camino provides - as rhey say.
I’d like to branch off of this thread and ask more about those wanting to sleep outside occasionally. Not wild camping, but are there hamlets where it would be OK for a night? Like davebugg I have had my share of experience with sleeping on the deck, and in the same country as him. Any particular locales that would be recommended?
Which reminds me, now that the weather is warmer at nights in S. Utah, I need to try my light sleeping bag on the deck.
Any advice is appreciated...semper fi
Just curious, and maybe helpful to the OP. Have any of the forum members experienced sleeping outdoors unplanned and if so what was it like and where? I'm not asking this to the Camino walkers who do a mix of indoor and outdoor sleeping.
I’d like to branch off of this thread and ask more about those wanting to sleep outside occasionally. Not wild camping, but are there hamlets where it would be OK for a night?
"sleep outside occasionally" <----> "wild camping" ; I don't think there's that much legal distinction between the two in Spain, though such distinctions do exist in some other countries, such as the UK and France for instance.
It's actually pretty well tolerated throughout Spain, though some regions have stricter rules than others (on the Francès, the rules are strictest in Galicia and La Rioja IIRC), but these mostly concern tent-pitching rather than just sleeping, although as a rule of thumb, camping for a single night for those passing through is tolerated, even with a tent.
It's with open fires that you need to be filled with both common sense and obedience to
I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September and have been receiving lots of terrific information from this website. Thank you all for your insight, perspectives, and practical information.
One issue that I find of potential concern is not being able to find a bed in an albergue. What then? Do you keep walking until you find an open bed? Sleep under the stars, weather permitting? Am interested in hearing how folks coped with this particular predicament.
Agree. We shared our private accommodation which had an extra bed with a fellow pilgrim when the Albuergue was full at the end of a long 29K day! We made a new friend on the Camino that day.The Camino provides - as rhey say.
Walk on to a less populated town with an albergue.Hello Everyone,
This is my first post, as I plan my first full Camino (Frances) from St. JdP to Santiago. Three years ago, I completed the Sarria - Santiago leg using a tour company - delightful, but it whetted my appetite to experience the whole route. I have been interested in this adventure since reading Jack Hitt's book, Off the Road, nearly 20 years ago.
I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September and have been receiving lots of terrific information from this website. Thank you all for your insight, perspectives, and practical information.
One issue that I find of potential concern is not being able to find a bed in an albergue. What then? Do you keep walking until you find an open bed? Sleep under the stars, weather permitting? Am interested in hearing how folks coped with this particular predicament.
Looking forward to becoming an active member.
Best,
Tom
AgreedSorry to respectfully disagree with the folks saying you will be fine. You 'might' be fine. When I walked in 2015 I left SJPP September 18th and by the time I reached Viana there was a bottleneck. This was due in part to a long weekend and a local fiesta. I was lucky enough to get one of the last beds in town, but others I knew spent hours calling around and some finally ended up having to get a 50 euro cab ride all the way to Najera to find a place to sleep. After a few days of racing like that, I took a week long break and started again. No problems after that, but the end of September is still quite busy.
That is not always possible.
Hello Everyone,
This is my first post, as I plan my first full Camino (Frances) from St. JdP to Santiago. Three years ago, I completed the Sarria - Santiago leg using a tour company - delightful, but it whetted my appetite to experience the whole route. I have been interested in this adventure since reading Jack Hitt's book, Off the Road, nearly 20 years ago.
I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September and have been receiving lots of terrific information from this website. Thank you all for your insight, perspectives, and practical information.
One issue that I find of potential concern is not being able to find a bed in an albergue. What then? Do you keep walking until you find an open bed? Sleep under the stars, weather permitting? Am interested in hearing how folks coped with this particular predicament.
Looking forward to becoming an active member.
Best,
Tom
I slept out after Ciraqui. Was it the old olive grove you slept in?I’ve slept outdoors once on the Via de la Plata on the porch of an abandoned hotel, in the doorway of a church, in the yard of an albergue in Zubiri and again in Hospital de Orbigo.
I’ve slept out after Ciraqui and in Villamayor.
Leave no trace and be invisible.
.
No. It was under a picnic table on the outskirtsI slept out after Ciraqui. Was it the old olive grove you slept in?
Tom,
You will be ok!!!
The camino ALWAYS, ALWAYS provide.
Buen Camino,
Texasguy
There are some excellent responses to your question Tom. I want to add just one little piece I haven’t noticed yet. Some albergues close in “the off season”. Meaning they close on Oct 1. With so many pilgrims walking the “shoulder seasons” this seems to be happening a bit less. But I suggest you keep an eye on that in your Guide book listings. I know that Brierly will tell you if they close October-May.Hello Everyone,
This is my first post, as I plan my first full Camino (Frances) from St. JdP to Santiago. Three years ago, I completed the Sarria - Santiago leg using a tour company - delightful, but it whetted my appetite to experience the whole route. I have been interested in this adventure since reading Jack Hitt's book, Off the Road, nearly 20 years ago.
I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September and have been receiving lots of terrific information from this website. Thank you all for your insight, perspectives, and practical information.
One issue that I find of potential concern is not being able to find a bed in an albergue. What then? Do you keep walking until you find an open bed? Sleep under the stars, weather permitting? Am interested in hearing how folks coped with this particular predicament.
Looking forward to becoming an active member.
Best,
Tom
Hi Tom -- it's the same time of year that I walked, and it was glorious. In answer to your questions: if you know how far you're going to walk, phone ahead and make a reservation, especially if you have walking companions. Some people have slept under the stars (I was very aware of this at Roncesvalles), but more likely, have called a cab and gone to the next village. I would not recommend that you keep walking, unless you know the limits of your stamina and recover. Things have changed a lot since Jack Hitt's book, and as a quarter of a million people walk the Camino each year, it is very well serviced.
David in Nova Scotia
Do not worry Tom. I started out from San Jean PdP on the 10th September last year without any bookings whatsoever. I only walked as far as Hornillos then turned back to Burgos and travelled home. In the 14 days I only had a slight problem at Logrono. This was because they had some days of fiesta and the albergues were full of revellers rather than pelegrinos. After passing two with signs that they are full up I asked some police standing around a squad car and they directed me to the church of Santiago El Real. Sure enough they had lots of space on mattresses on the floor and they also had dinner and breakfast. It was donativo. Excellent choice actually. The only place you absolutely must book, (weeks ahead) is Orison if you have to stop there on the first day. I thought I might stop there, (I was 71 then), so tried to book a fortnight before I left home but found it already full up so I simply bypassed it and went straight to Rocesvalles. Tough but doable.Hello Everyone,
This is my first post, as I plan my first full Camino (Frances) from St. JdP to Santiago. Three years ago, I completed the Sarria - Santiago leg using a tour company - delightful, but it whetted my appetite to experience the whole route. I have been interested in this adventure since reading Jack Hitt's book, Off the Road, nearly 20 years ago.
I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September and have been receiving lots of terrific information from this website. Thank you all for your insight, perspectives, and practical information.
One issue that I find of potential concern is not being able to find a bed in an albergue. What then? Do you keep walking until you find an open bed? Sleep under the stars, weather permitting? Am interested in hearing how folks coped with this particular predicament.
Looking forward to becoming an active member.
Best,
Tom
Hello Everyone,
This is my first post, as I plan my first full Camino (Frances) from St. JdP to Santiago. Three years ago, I completed the Sarria - Santiago leg using a tour company - delightful, but it whetted my appetite to experience the whole route. I have been interested in this adventure since reading Jack Hitt's book, Off the Road, nearly 20 years ago.
I plan on leaving from France in the second week of September and have been receiving lots of terrific information from this website. Thank you all for your insight, perspectives, and practical information.
One issue that I find of potential concern is not being able to find a bed in an albergue. What then? Do you keep walking until you find an open bed? Sleep under the stars, weather permitting? Am interested in hearing how folks coped with this particular predicament.
Looking forward to becoming an active member.
Best,
Tom
This is not a practical answer, but... trust the magic of the Camino. Everything you need will be there when you need it. (Not always when you want it or when you THINK you need it, but when you actually need it.) I didn't believe that before I walked... but it happened over and over again. <3
Buen camino.
I know many pilgrims on tight budgets cannot afford to do this, and this advice is for those that can. Always have some spare euros tucked away in the wallet, only for an "emergency" (I know it is not a true emergency) in the event your only option is staying in a hotel, casa rural or pensiones. I did it a few times. I even shared a room and cost with two other pilgrims on two different occasions.
Also, for those that can afford private ones and when the Camino is crowded, avoid staying in the municipals and donativos. Leave a bunk open for those that depend on them. Trust me, you will not be cheating yourself out of the pilgrim experience by doing so.
Take a roll up mattress that will weight next to nothing then you'll never be without a bed.
You could even go one step further and take a tent. One of mine weighs only 600 grams. That's a bottle of coke.
Even if beds are plentiful, carrying your own emergency shelter is real peace of mind and takes away any need to rush to the next stop.
I call that kind of magic 'taxis' and 'buses'
I know many pilgrims on tight budgets cannot afford to do this, and this advice is for those that can. Always have some spare euros tucked away in the wallet, only for an "emergency" (I know it is not a true emergency) in the event your only option is staying in a hotel, casa rural or pensiones. I did it a few times. I even shared a room and cost with two other pilgrims on two different occasions.
Also, for those that can afford private ones and when the Camino is crowded, avoid staying in the municipals and donativos. Leave a bunk open for those that depend on them. Trust me, you will not be cheating yourself out of the pilgrim experience by doing so.
Have you had a chance to fly on one of those new fangled aeroplane's yet? I heard they are very cool.
You'd never see mine discarded. It cost me over £100!I see more of those discarded along the Way than any other object.
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