Church Sarria

[Khal]

Does anyone hae any idea what time the church is open in Sarria? I get in at around 6am and would like to get my credencial asap. Also if starting in Sarria would I get it stamped there as well? Thanks!

[Lorna]

Why dont you get your credential before you leave home. I live in Dublin and got mine from the Confraternity of St James for 10 euro.. In the UK the address is: Confraternity of St James, 27 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NY. Web site www.csj.org.uk Tel.02079289988.
I arrived in Sarria about 10 AM. I asked a lady in a church near the bus station where the starting point was. She was a great help and she also stamped my credential. Bon Camino!

[Covey]

Just remember that if you are starting from Sarria, you need TWO stamps in your Pilgrim Passport every day. One must be from the albergue where you slept, and the other can be from any bar/shop/fruit stall.

If you start from any of the major start points outside the 100km limit then you only require ONE stamp from the albergue.

There are those who rush around getting as many stamps as possible from as many places as possible, but all the Pilgrim Office at Santiago wants to see is one per day unless you start from Sarria when it is two per day.

[Lorna]

I have just returned from the Sarria to Santiago walk. I had heard about the two stamps per day. I didn't stay in an albergue. I had my card stamped whereever one was available - and there were stamps available in churches, cafes, overnight places and even little tables on route with DIY stamp kits. I got my compostela with no trouble.
If they had refused I don't think I would have cared - the walk was wonderful and that was reward enough.

[Michael A.]

Don't think you can get a Credencial that early in the morning. I started from Sarria last month and got my Credencial, at the Church of Santa Marina, Rua Maior at 6pm. It was stamped for my departure the next morning about 7am. It cost 1€ if I remember correctly. I think that the Town hall further up Rua Maior also issues them but again not that early in the morning. If you want your Compostela when you reach Santiago you need to get it in Sarria and stamped before you leave! You then need it stamped twice a day!

My first day was walking to Portomarin and I got is stamped along the Camino at Cafe-Bar Gonzar in Gonzar and in Casa ma Luz near Eirexe but there are plenty of places to get it stamped - in the Albergues themselves, Churches, cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels etc. Just remember that from Sarria you need two sellos (stamps) a day. I went a bit over the top some days!!!

[Covey]

You will be able to add to your collection of stamps when you go back and start from St Jean!!

[Michael A.]

Hope to Covey but wee bit wary with the dicky heart. Don't want to end up like Guillermo Watt!

[Covey]

Who is??????

If the ticker is dicky, then start at Pamplona and just wander along doing 10 - 15kms a day. In September, a lot of Pilgrims on the Camino Frances just wander from albergue to albergue. They are usually retired and in no hurry at all!

[Michael A.]

Who is??????

If the ticker is dicky, then start at Pamplona and just wander along doing 10 - 15kms a day. In September, a lot of Pilgrims on the Camino Frances just wander from albergue to albergue. They are usually retired and in no hurry at all!

Senor Watt passed away one day from his goal - Santiago - on 23rd? August 1993. There is a memorial to him on the Camino behind the Meson La Equipa about 10 km beyond Arzua. (Bronze walking boots and plaque).
But the thought of doing the whole lot from St Jean is very appealing.
Maybe next May?

[Covey]

I have to say that when one has walked from St Jean, the last 100kms from Sarria to Santiago is a question of "heads down, elbows out" as one jostles ones way through the crowds of gortex clad bottoms of the Camino Conga Dance shouting "hola" at anything that moves. By that time we are tired of albergues, cold showers, the Pilgrim Menu, and just want to finish.

I take 6 weeks off every summer and set off from St Jean. Some days when it is nice and sunny, I will do up to 30kms, but another day I might only do 15kms, stop early, do the dhobi, have a few beers and enjoy the surroundings and company. I don't have a plan and have not even decided where I will stay that night when I set off at dawn, looking for my breakfast!

The great beauty of the Camino is not having to have a plan. You do what you want, at your own pace, and there is no one telling you to "keep up with the group" You tend to fall in with other like minded souls and some days you will walk on your own, and other days, you walk with your Camino Family.

My first trip on the Camino was when I joined my son at Sarria. He was walking from Roncesvalles, but it taught me very quickly what kit to carry, and what can be left at home. When I started from St Jean the following year, it was a lot easier knowing what to expect!

May sounds good. I like the heat, so I tend to start either at the beginning of July or beginning of September. This year it is 4th September so I can hopefully miss the July 25th crowds in Santiago.

[Michael A.]

I have to say that when one has walked from St Jean, the last 100kms from Sarria to Santiago is a question of "heads down, elbows out" as one jostles ones way through the crowds of gortex clad bottoms of the Camino Conga Dance shouting "hola" at anything that moves. By that time we are tired of albergues, cold showers, the Pilgrim Menu, and just want to finish.

I take 6 weeks off every summer and set off from St Jean. Some days when it is nice and sunny, I will do up to 30kms, but another day I might only do 15kms, stop early, do the dhobi, have a few beers and enjoy the surroundings and company. I don't have a plan and have not even decided where I will stay that night when I set off at dawn, looking for my breakfast!

The great beauty of the Camino is not having to have a plan. You do what you want, at your own pace, and there is no one telling you to "keep up with the group" You tend to fall in with other like minded souls and some days you will walk on your own, and other days, you walk with your Camino Family.

My first trip on the Camino was when I joined my son at Sarria. He was walking from Roncesvalles, but it taught me very quickly what kit to carry, and what can be left at home. When I started from St Jean the following year, it was a lot easier knowing what to expect!

May sounds good. I like the heat, so I tend to start either at the beginning of July or beginning of September. This year it is 4th September so I can hopefully miss the July 25th crowds in Santiago.

Didn't find the crowds too bad. Right enough some mornings I was up and away before 6 o'clock. But as you say, I now know what to take and leave behind and that is important. Anyway, I have the whole of the winter to prepare myself and I look forward to enjoying once again the friendship and camaraderie of th Camino. Cheers!