Another Nervous First-Timer

[Kimberley]

Hello All,
I am doing the Camino France solo, arriving in Biarritz in July 18th. I plan to start the walk from SJPDP on July 20th and have already booked a night at Orisson (in fact I might have an extra reservation as a friend was coming but now is unable too). I have about 37 days to complete it and would like to make it to Finnestre as well. I am worried about how busy it will be re: accomodations and also about booking a bus or train to Madrid from Campostela.
This forum has been very helpful and heartening, I look forward to meeting some other travellers during my walk. I hope that it continues to be a safe place for women to travel solo!!
Thanks to all for the input so far

[Covey]

Everyone who starts out on their Camino is nervous for the first 12 hours, and after that, they are a veteran!! Your 37 days is fine to get you to Santiago, but might be a bit tight if you want to walk to Finesterre.

The best plan is to have no plan and just see how it goes. You will find after the first week that you can increase the distance you can walk in a day and if you want to do the Finesterre route and you think time will be a problem, then you could take the bus between Burgos and Leon which will save you 7 days, and therefore give you the time to walk from Santiago to Finesterre and sit on the beach and watch the sunset.

I have done the coach trip from Santiago to Madrid which was fascinating and you can book on-line with ALSA.

[grayland]

......or...you can do the SJPP to Santiago complete and then take a bus to Finesterre if you do not have time to walk it after arriving in Santiago. Many people do this. You can bus go by bus and back in one day. That way you will have the satisfaction of having walked the Camino Francis in it's entirety. It is up to you.
Either way you will enjoy the 37 days and remember it always.
You will not be alone.