Walking the Camino Frances for a second time?

[Muesli]

Hi,
I walked the CF in Oct 2008 and had a wonderful time. I have the opportunity to do the Camino again and I'm wondering if it is a good idea to redo to it by the same route? I am thinking about the Camino del Norte but I will be doing it on my own and liked meeting people on the CF last time: I think the CdN might be a bit lonely...it would be great to hear people's opinions on my dilema Thanks!
M.

[Beatrix]

Hello Muesli,

I understand your dilemma, I had the same, last year. Walked the frances, wanted do again, but had the north way in my mind.
In the end I started on the french way again, from SJPP, and got until Estella. There I took the bus to the north way.
The reason was that all those friends who I met first time, I was missing them so much, that I wished to have a different environment.
Also I couldn't cope with the lot of people on the french way.

Well now I think, I was just too restless. There was nothing wrong with the french way, a lot of people just like 2 years before, and looked beautiful still.
But as I remembered in every corner what happened on that spot 2 years before, it was a bit annoying.
This might be only my error, as I heard many people walking the Frances several times now and still enjoying the same way. I remember Pepe, spanish old men, not sure how many times but I have a feeling that he walked every year since the age of 5!
Possibly not, but I saw how he is still enjoying it! Incredible that men is.

For me the real dilemma is now, as I would like to walk again, I cannot decide which way should I go, the north or the french way!
I had great experience on both ways both very different and this time I would like to walk somehow the primitivo also.
Maybe walk the french way, halfway walk up to Oviedo, then carry on the primitivo. I just don't know if there is any pilgrim walk connection from the french way to Oviedo. I will find out in time.

[Covey]

I have done four trips down the Camino Frances in consecutive years (sad bugger that I am!!) and each year it is "different".

The people are different, the weather is different, I stay at different albergues on occasions, and each year I look forward to whatever the Camino brings.

Twice I have started in July and twice in September. The July pilgrims are a much younger age group than September and the Camino in September/October is less frenetic than July/Aug.

Each year I see things and places I missed on previous trips. Each year I learn something new from walking with people from all over the world.

There is one problem however. Each year the hills from St Jean to Roncesvalles seem to get steeper. I am not yet ready to give in and stop at Orison for the night, but the time might come. This year I am going to walk the lower "winter" road from St Jean to Roncesvalles as I have never done it before. Another new experience of the same Camino Frances.

[Muesli]

Thanks a lot for the v.interesting replies!

[mosesmew]

Hi, I'm planning on walking Sept3-Oct 5,Flying into London/Gatwick,then onto Easyjet to Bairrtz,then beginning walk.Can anyone tell me, once I get to Santiago,how do I make my travel plans to return to major Airport/OR is there a Train,to get me back to London airport? Thanks for all the help! Nancy

[Muesli]

Hello,
There is an airport just outside Santiago de Compostela (you walk past it on the Camino) - I flew to Gatwick using Ryanair (and then onto Dublin). This was in Nov 2008 so check if the service is available.

I am at the planning stage also and I think as I flew last time, I should really take the train and ferry option this time

[mosesmew]

Thank you! Yup, maybe this time, (tried to get this trip going last year), it's finally coming together!(finding flights etc), ) Nancy

[Muesli]

I got John Brierley's book and I'm finding it excellent re. describing different paths so I'm really looking forward to setting out

[mosesmew]

Yes! I too have this guide book. It really does give alot of great details! Keep Well!! Nancy