Time to stop lurking!

[BoxOfFrogs]

Ok, so the boss (read other half) has relented and granted me the time off to finally walk the camino this year. The other boss ( big Liz, one who pays the bills) has said I can finish work on the morning of the 29th August and need to be back in bright and early on the 4th October.
Here is to hoping that will get me from st Jean to Santiago? So hopefully travelling on the 29 th and starting to walk on the 30th.
Just like to say I have been lurking here a while and the information on here has really been instrumental in me choosing to walk the camino Frances this year. 8 months now feels like a lifetime away, however I am mindfull not to wish away my life and will just have to enjoy the excitement of the build up!
In regards to st jean, is it easy enough to get accommodation there? Wil I need to book? Or can I just roll in on the train and take it from there?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[HuskyNerd]

Nice job of getting both bosses to allow this to happen! Too bad Big Liz isn't being a little more generous with your timing. If you walk starting Aug 30 and finish walking on Oct 3 you have 34 days for your camino. The Brierley guidebook calls for 33 walking days from St. Jean to Santiago, so in theory you're in good shape. The only exception is a) rest days, and b) the possibility of heading to Finisterre once you're done. If you're in decent shape you can lengthen a few days' distance and arrange a second night in Burgos and Leon for rest. If you're not fussy about walking "every last step" you can also bus into Burgos and Leon (and out of Leon) since these are somewhat dreary urban/industrial areas that can be skipped without much regret.

Whether or not to book a bed in St. Jean partly depends on your arrival time. If you can get in before noon and stand in line for an albergue bed you'd likely be fine. If you're arriving late you'll want to book ahead. My choice has been to splurge for a hotel or habitacion (B&B) style room so I know I'll get a good night's sleep prior to one of the camino's toughest days.

Buen camino!

[BoxOfFrogs]

Thanks for the quick reply Husky, much appreciated indeed. I think your right about private accommodation Im St Jean, too many times I have set off on one walk or another, with lack of sleep from a Welsh or Cumbrian youth hostel or noisy camp site and regretted it! ( some might say the hangover is more debilitating, I say that's part of the challenge!)
I have no issues with doing what is required to get the job done, if a day off through illness or injury means a bus ride to catch up then so be it!
As for being in shape, well Im more of a mountain/hill walker. I spend a lot of time stomping over the mountains of Wales or the peak district in Derbyshire, I am think i am experienced enough to actually have an idea of what I am letting myself in for, this is quite disconcerting! I feel ignorance in this dept would be bliss! I'm more used to trips of about 150 k in 3-4 days. I know this is an utterly unsustainable pace and to be honest I wouldn't want to do that!
I am hoping nearer the time to actually arrange a little more time off in October, the days I have are what annual leave I will have this year and still leave 2 weeks to go fry on a beach somewhere with the better half and our 5 year old daughter, she would be most upset if only daddy got to go on holiday! So if I can work some extra hours nearer the time and get a bit of toil then great, if not its a case of turn 1 or 2 of the shorter days into longer ones!
Again thanks for the reply, sorry to just ramble on about it, however typing this and actually telling folk who understand what it's all about is making it feel all that more real.

[BoxOfFrogs]

Well, that's flights booked!

Ryan air from London Stansted to Biarritz on the 28th August. Arrive just after 1500. This cost £76.99 with a checked bag of up to 15 kg.

Santiago de compestella to London Stansted on the 3rd of October £43.99 with a checked bag. Departing 10:00.

So I have managed to squeeze that extra day in to make it 35 days. I wasn't going to book the return flight, I was going to wait till I got to around Leon and see how I was doing, however at those prices I just had to book it! If for some reason I am faster or slower than my planned time I will just have to book something last minute. Any one else heading on the camino around this time?

[LolaLil]

I don't plan to start the walk until 8/31 or 9/1 and will start at either Pamplano or Puente la Reina. Leaving the States on 8/27 for Madrid and want to see the city before I start the walk. Giving myself 37 days to complete the pilgrimage. My flights are all booked from the States to Madrid and back. No decision yet on return trip to Madrid from Santiago. However, I'm extending my trip, with stops in Paris and Frankfurt. Going solo.