- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
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I'd take the 9th April option, to get the reunion done first, so I could be "free" for the Camino. The last few weeks will already be reasonably north in Spain, so I wouldn't expect conditions to be much different from the Camino Frances.Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Hi Robo,
I'm sure you'll get lots of different answers, but here are some things I've experienced on 4 different springtime trips to the part of Andalucia north of Sevilla where the VDLP runs:
February - often cold and rainy
March - still cool and rainy
April - really nice
May - some days that feel on the hot side
You can check out weather averages on this site with great graphs for average highs and lows and precipitation by month: https://weatherspark.com/countries/ES
Here's a photo of two charts for Guillena in April:
View attachment 108961 View attachment 108962Guillena April Weather, Average Temperature (Spain) - Weather Spark
In Guillena during April average daily high temperatures increase from 72°F to 76°F and it is overcast or mostly cloudy about 38% of the time.weatherspark.com
I agree - anything over 30C feels hot for walking. Guillena reaches 30C as its average daily high for the first time (during an average year) on May 31, according to WeatherSpark. Of course, any given year may not be 'average'..... But still, you'd be long gone from that area by May 31 if you start April 9. The average highs in April are 22-24C.Given we are from very different parts of the World, what temperature for you "feels on the hot side"
Once it gets over 30C / 86F I feel that's getting quite hot to walk
Means I'm having to carry a lot more water too........
I would also say the 9th April. It gets cooler as you walk North .I have twice started the week after Easter.I'm hoping to walk the VdlP next year 2022, and have the option of three start dates.
Maybe those who have walked the VdlP before could share some tips and opinions?
Firstly I have no idea if I can go.
Hopefully International travel will have opened for us here in Australia, and I'll feel it safe enough to go.
With that in mind, I was actually planning to delay till 2023.
But..........
Perhaps I am being called?
I have just found out that there is a 40 year reunion that I really want to attend, in London in the first week of April 2022.
So if I'm travelling half-way around the World for that, I'd be crazy not to add on a Camino!!
I was originally planning my VdlP to start in early March.
I'm a very slow walker and I'm allowing myself 60 days!
That includes 5 rest/sightseeing days and 5 'short' days. (<12 kms)
The short days are to break up long sections or to have late starts to allow more sight seeing.
I like to take my time
So as I see it, I have three broad options regarding timing, if I'm to build this Camino around the Reunion in London.
Start 1st February.
Meaning I would end about 1st April.
This means walking my Camino before the reunion.
Cold, Wet?
Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Start 3rd March
Ending about 5th May
Start date as planned.
But take a break halfway (ish) maybe Salamanca, to go to London for 2-3 days.
Then return to the Camino to pick up where I left off.
What would you do?
This is my choice too. We walked parallel to the VdlP (the Caminho Nascente in Portugal) this year starting in late April and the weather was perfect (until Galicia, obviously!). I wouldn't worry about getting hot at the end because that's the point of a spring southern camino - as the weather gets too hot in the south, you'll be in the north by then and the weather should be just right all the time!Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Totally agree. We toured Portugal for two weeks after finishing the Camino Frances in 2017. I wouldn't have wanted to go back to finish a Camino after that...they are two completely different birds.I don't like the idea of pausing mid-camino for London at all, personally - it will take you completely out of your camino rhythm and could be a real disruption.
Probably the second option, April 9th. Back in 2015, we started in early May. Even then, cold was more of a problem than heat - but it is spring so be prepared for both. Remember the last week or two will be in Galicia so the weather will similar to what you experienced before. The nice thing will be that the change of season will be following you as you head north. Buen camino.I'm hoping to walk the VdlP next year 2022, and have the option of three start dates.
Maybe those who have walked the VdlP before could share some tips and opinions?
Firstly I have no idea if I can go.
Hopefully International travel will have opened for us here in Australia, and I'll feel it safe enough to go.
With that in mind, I was actually planning to delay till 2023.
But..........
Perhaps I am being called?
I have just found out that there is a 40 year reunion that I really want to attend, in London in the first week of April 2022.
So if I'm travelling half-way around the World for that, I'd be crazy not to add on a Camino!!
I was originally planning my VdlP to start in early March.
I'm a very slow walker and I'm allowing myself 60 days!
That includes 5 rest/sightseeing days and 5 'short' days. (<12 kms)
The short days are to break up long sections or to have late starts to allow more sight seeing.
I like to take my time
So as I see it, I have three broad options regarding timing, if I'm to build this Camino around the Reunion in London.
Start 1st February.
Meaning I would end about 1st April.
This means walking my Camino before the reunion.
Cold, Wet?
Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Start 3rd March
Ending about 5th May
Start date as planned.
But take a break halfway (ish) maybe Salamanca, to go to London for 2-3 days.
Then return to the Camino to pick up where I left off.
What would you do?
Wait till 2025.I'm hoping to walk the VdlP next year 2022, and have the option of three start dates.
Maybe those who have walked the VdlP before could share some tips and opinions?
Firstly I have no idea if I can go.
Hopefully International travel will have opened for us here in Australia, and I'll feel it safe enough to go.
With that in mind, I was actually planning to delay till 2023.
But..........
Perhaps I am being called?
I have just found out that there is a 40 year reunion that I really want to attend, in London in the first week of April 2022.
So if I'm travelling half-way around the World for that, I'd be crazy not to add on a Camino!!
I was originally planning my VdlP to start in early March.
I'm a very slow walker and I'm allowing myself 60 days!
That includes 5 rest/sightseeing days and 5 'short' days. (<12 kms)
The short days are to break up long sections or to have late starts to allow more sight seeing.
I like to take my time
So as I see it, I have three broad options regarding timing, if I'm to build this Camino around the Reunion in London.
Start 1st February.
Meaning I would end about 1st April.
This means walking my Camino before the reunion.
Cold, Wet?
Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Start 3rd March
Ending about 5th May
Start date as planned.
But take a break halfway (ish) maybe Salamanca, to go to London for 2-3 days.
Then return to the Camino to pick up where I left off.
What would you do?
For some of us of a certain age 2025 could mean the inability to do camino, especially one as long as this.Wait till 2025.
Given we are from very different parts of the World, what temperature for you "feels on the hot side"
Once it gets over 30C / 86F I feel that's getting quite hot to walk
Means I'm having to carry a lot more water too........
I agree that everyone's tolerance and comfort level for heat and cold is different. If you asked me 5 or 6 years ago the numbers that islandwalker quoted would tell me that a start after the reunion would be fine. But as islandwalker stated any given year may not be average. Given what has happened worldwide with climate change I do not think that in today's world no year will ever be average again. If it was me I would without a question be walking starting February 1. I will take rain and snow any day. I have heard March can play some havoc on the VDLP with some flooding but like I said nothing is average any more.I agree - anything over 30C feels hot for walking. Guillena reaches 30C as its average daily high for the first time (during an average year) on May 31, according to WeatherSpark. Of course, any given year may not be 'average'
I’m going to be in Portugal & Spain so considering a February start to the VDLP. As a Canadian I’d take cold and wet vs hot and dry.I'm hoping to walk the VdlP next year 2022, and have the option of three start dates.
Maybe those who have walked the VdlP before could share some tips and opinions?
Firstly I have no idea if I can go.
Hopefully International travel will have opened for us here in Australia, and I'll feel it safe enough to go.
With that in mind, I was actually planning to delay till 2023.
But..........
Perhaps I am being called?
I have just found out that there is a 40 year reunion that I really want to attend, in London in the first week of April 2022.
So if I'm travelling half-way around the World for that, I'd be crazy not to add on a Camino!!
I was originally planning my VdlP to start in early March.
I'm a very slow walker and I'm allowing myself 60 days!
That includes 5 rest/sightseeing days and 5 'short' days. (<12 kms)
The short days are to break up long sections or to have late starts to allow more sight seeing.
I like to take my time
So as I see it, I have three broad options regarding timing, if I'm to build this Camino around the Reunion in London.
Start 1st February.
Meaning I would end about 1st April.
This means walking my Camino before the reunion.
Cold, Wet?
Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Start 3rd March
Ending about 5th May
Start date as planned.
But take a break halfway (ish) maybe Salamanca, to go to London for 2-3 days.
Then return to the Camino to pick up where I left off.
What would you do?
I don't think this is an accurate generalization. Easter is a fabulous time to be in Spain on the Camino, but it is best to give it some planning. April 9, 2022, falls on Saturday at the very start of Semana Santa. So I would advise Robo to plan that week quite carefully. Then he can really enjoy the unique experience of Easter.Easter... I have read its a time to avoid.
Not at all. I'm an adult.I choose not to wade into this debate. I think you are looking for someone to blame for a bad decision
I took @biarritzdon's post to be a bit of a joke.Really? It read to me that Robo was interested in the experience of others who had walked the VdelP at the times. That's one of the main purposes of this forum is it not? It never occurred to me that he was hoping to hold others responsible for his decision. Or maybe your response was in jest. Sometimes difficult to tell with words alone. Anyway, I found the discussion useful for our own plans - so many thanks to those who provided their input!
Hi Robo,I'm hoping to walk the VdlP next year 2022, and have the option of three start dates.
Maybe those who have walked the VdlP before could share some tips and opinions?
Firstly I have no idea if I can go.
Hopefully International travel will have opened for us here in Australia, and I'll feel it safe enough to go.
With that in mind, I was actually planning to delay till 2023.
But..........
Perhaps I am being called?
I have just found out that there is a 40 year reunion that I really want to attend, in London in the first week of April 2022.
So if I'm travelling half-way around the World for that, I'd be crazy not to add on a Camino!!
I was originally planning my VdlP to start in early March.
I'm a very slow walker and I'm allowing myself 60 days!
That includes 5 rest/sightseeing days and 5 'short' days. (<12 kms)
The short days are to break up long sections or to have late starts to allow more sight seeing.
I like to take my time
So as I see it, I have three broad options regarding timing, if I'm to build this Camino around the Reunion in London.
Start 1st February.
Meaning I would end about 1st April.
This means walking my Camino before the reunion.
Cold, Wet?
Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Start 3rd March
Ending about 5th May
Start date as planned.
But take a break halfway (ish) maybe Salamanca, to go to London for 2-3 days.
Then return to the Camino to pick up where I left off.
What would you do?
I took @biarritzdon's post to be a bit of a joke.
You're right!Hard to tell without emoticons.
Benefit of the doubt......
Hi Robo,
I am also planning a long delayed VDLP camino next year so I’ll be following all the advice with interest.
Like you I am in Australia and as well as walking a camino I really want to visit my daughter and two young grandsons living in the UK who I haven’t seen since Christmas 2019.
I think April will be the earliest Western Australia will open the border to International travel so I’m hoping April / May 2022.
Thanks @Robo for keeping the dream alive
I agree that living in Australia is a mixed blessing.Yes, we are all waiting aren't we?
But I'm not going to rush.
If I can make it, great. If not, hopefully sometime in the future.
Sadly these things can't be rushed.
Travel restrictions, new variants, new outbreaks.
Who really knows what the future holds?
Coming from this part of the World I am in no rush to sit in a metal tube with 400 other people for 22 hours.
Kind of like a petri dish at 30,000 feet I imagine.
If I never make it to another Camino, I have some great memories at least.
What's more frustrating is missing this 40 year reunion.
It's from my class at Officer Training in the UK. (Equivalent of Westpoint)
Our last one was at 20 years.
A great bunch of people.
This will probably be the last occasion that we are all alive to meet.
Though we did lose one in a Coup in Africa.
That's another story! He was an overly ambitious guy
I agree, @Babyboomergirl We are very keen to get to France, as soon as we can. It's been almost two years since Dominique (my husband) has seen his girls or grandchildren. It's too long. Mind you we haven't been able to visit my elderly parents or siblings in Queensland for some months - or friends in Sydney since the end of June. We joke (half-joke) that we will get to France before we are welcome in Queensland! Oh well ... best wishes to you and your family.I agree that living in Australia is a mixed blessing.
Our isolation has kept us relatively safe from the virus but it also means a very long flight ( with risk ) to most overseas destinations .
Like you I am thankful to have Camino memories.
Good luck with getting to the reunion.
My sweetest reunion will be with the family whenever that might be
It depends on how old you are .Wait till 2025.
Robo, you are totally correct, sarky comments should be accompanied by emojis like, huh - snow, impermeable, umbrella and a guy hiking with a wet back pack!)Hard to tell without emoticons.
Benefit of the doubt......
It's from my class at Officer Training in the UK. (Equivalent of Westpoint)
Sandhurst. Mons closed in 1972 I think.Mons or Sandhurst?
Robo, you are totally correct, sarky comments should be accompanied by emojis like, huh - snow, impermeable, umbrella and a guy hiking with a wet back pack!)
I don't know if you remember but I commented on this Forum after one of your very first post many years ago. I was driving from Biarritz to Pamplona to pick up some friends at the airport. It was raining very heavily and I had been following your progress reports after starting in SJPdP about the same. There was some very wet guy walking on the roadway headed towards Zubiri. I remember thinking I wonder if that is Robo? Then I decided no way, that is too much of a coincidence, its just another very wet pilgrim and I would have to have turned around to give you a lift. Sorry mate, if that was you!
No such thing as a coincidence on the Camino Robo - especially where @biarritzdon is concerned! We’ve met up unexpectedly twice in 2014 and another time in 2017!LOL. If it was on that long winding downhill road towards Zubiri, it was me! No one else was mad enough to try it
Hi Robo - are you taking a guidebook? I’ve recently bought Gerald Kelly’s guidebook to the VDLP & Camino Sanabres from Ivar’s shop. It looks to be really thorough and is pretty lightweight - around 125 grams and it’s a slim volume. Spot (my trusty hiking trailer) and I will have it with ‘us’ when we embark on our VDLP camino - next year if The Fates, Covid and open borders allow.
Cheers - Jenny
Buen Camino Jenny!I have same @JennyH94 . And online too from Gerald’s website. Let’s hope we both get to use it next year. We are hoping for 1 April start.
Hi Robo - yes - I take your point about the maps. I think we might have been spoilt by the colourful Brierley maps with the paths marked with good-sized dots!Yes I have the online version. Maybe not the hard copy. I must check.
Though I have to confess I didn't really like the maps much.
I’m the same Jenny. Always like to have a print version! And highlight where we stayed etc.Buen Camino Jenny!
I’ll get the online version too - thanks for the tip. I like the comfort of having an actual book where I can do the old-fashioned marking of pages, fluro highlighting etc.
Fingers crossed for all the Aussie pilgrims -
Jenny
Me too! I take notes in the margins ahead of time and write in where I stay each night. They are my camino bibles so to speak and refer to them when trying to offer help to questions newbie forum members have.I’m the same Jenny. Always like to have a print version! And highlight where we stayed etc.
I like the last one.I'm hoping to walk the VdlP next year 2022, and have the option of three start dates.
Maybe those who have walked the VdlP before could share some tips and opinions?
Firstly I have no idea if I can go.
Hopefully International travel will have opened for us here in Australia, and I'll feel it safe enough to go.
With that in mind, I was actually planning to delay till 2023.
But..........
Perhaps I am being called?
I have just found out that there is a 40 year reunion that I really want to attend, in London in the first week of April 2022.
So if I'm travelling half-way around the World for that, I'd be crazy not to add on a Camino!!
I was originally planning my VdlP to start in early March.
I'm a very slow walker and I'm allowing myself 60 days!
That includes 5 rest/sightseeing days and 5 'short' days. (<12 kms)
The short days are to break up long sections or to have late starts to allow more sight seeing.
I like to take my time
So as I see it, I have three broad options regarding timing, if I'm to build this Camino around the Reunion in London.
Start 1st February.
Meaning I would end about 1st April.
This means walking my Camino before the reunion.
Cold, Wet?
Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Start 3rd March
Ending about 5th May
Start date as planned.
But take a break halfway (ish) maybe Salamanca, to go to London for 2-3 days.
Then return to the Camino to pick up where I left off.
What would you do?
Yes. I was tending towards that initially.I like the last one.
Very sensible advice @Smallest_Sparrow - it’s what I would do if I was in @Robo ’s position. The Camino will always be there but this Reunion is an opportunity which may not happen again - especially if it’s going to be some years away.I don’t want to be the cloud of gloom but if the reunion is the most important do it first then start the Camino. A variety of things, from an injury to a positive covid test happening on the Camino but close to the reunion could make you miss it. Hopefully you can enjoy both!
As a post Covid winter vdlp walk, how was your experience finding lodging each night? Did you need to reach out to locals, splurge on hotel, or tent?I did the VDP this year starting in March, and it was cold (especially at night), often wet, always wonderful.
I'd strongly recommend April 9th, the perfect time in my opinion. If you start earlier it'll be tougher, by far ... But on a Camino, that's often a good thing, for the adventure, and spiritually.
There's no way of knowing what beds will be available next year, but later is probably better. I would suggest that you carry either a loaded credit card (plus cash) or else a good tent, depending on your situation.
Good luck, it's an unforgettable journey whenever and however you choose to do it.
Hi Robo. We started on the 15th April. The weather was fairly good for the whole trip.It was warm in Sevilla when we started. However, it was cooler to the north in the mountainous areas later on our journey. Earlier in spring would be too wet in my opinion.I'm hoping to walk the VdlP next year 2022, and have the option of three start dates.
Maybe those who have walked the VdlP before could share some tips and opinions?
Firstly I have no idea if I can go.
Hopefully International travel will have opened for us here in Australia, and I'll feel it safe enough to go.
With that in mind, I was actually planning to delay till 2023.
But..........
Perhaps I am being called?
I have just found out that there is a 40 year reunion that I really want to attend, in London in the first week of April 2022.
So if I'm travelling half-way around the World for that, I'd be crazy not to add on a Camino!!
I was originally planning my VdlP to start in early March.
I'm a very slow walker and I'm allowing myself 60 days!
That includes 5 rest/sightseeing days and 5 'short' days. (<12 kms)
The short days are to break up long sections or to have late starts to allow more sight seeing.
I like to take my time
So as I see it, I have three broad options regarding timing, if I'm to build this Camino around the Reunion in London.
Start 1st February.
Meaning I would end about 1st April.
This means walking my Camino before the reunion.
Cold, Wet?
Start 9th April
Meaning I would end about 8th June.
This means walking after the reunion.
But it could be getting hot in the last few weeks?
Though I have usually finished the CF in mid June, and that was OK.
The VdlP being a bit further South though?
Too hot?
Start 3rd March
Ending about 5th May
Start date as planned.
But take a break halfway (ish) maybe Salamanca, to go to London for 2-3 days.
Then return to the Camino to pick up where I left off.
What would you do?
Hi @sharon w - quite a few of us are heading straight to the VDLP next April! The excitement behind the scenes amongst several of the Aussie Forum members is palpable!Hi Robo. We started on the 15th April. The weather was fairly good for the whole trip.It was warm in Sevilla when we started. However, it was cooler to the north in the mountainous areas later on our journey. Earlier in spring would be too wet in my opinion.
We took 41 days. That included a rest day in Salamanca.
Hoping to walk in Spain again next year. I think there may be a mass exodus from Australia.
Yes. I am starting to feel excited as well.Hi @sharon w - quite a few of us are heading straight to the VDLP next April! The excitement behind the scenes amongst several of the Aussie Forum members is palpable!
Buen 2022 camino!
Cheers - Jenny
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