Sept 09...get ready

[walkmag]

Hello is anyone walking in September 09 It would be good to have one or more people to start with . Just to get my Camino feet...


cheers walkmag

[Covey]

I walked from St Jean in September in 06 and 07 and the one thing you wont be is lonely!!

A lot of the older pilgrims (50+) start in September as it is a little cooler than July/Aug and all the students have gone off to uni so it is a little less frenetic.

Both years I flew into Bairritz on a Saturday and arrived late afternoon in St Jean, and then walked up through the hills to Roncesvalles on the Sunday. On both occasions there were about 100-120 pilgrims walking that day, so there was plenty of company and new friends to make!

Each time there were about 5 of us who started from St Jean together and ended up in front of the Cathedral at Santiago together. If you can, spend a couple of days in Santiago as it is great fun to wander down to the square in front of the Cathedral in the morning to see who has arrived that day and meet up with old friends you might not have seen for a couple of weeks.

[walkmag]

Thankyou Covey...Your reply has soothed some of my self doubt...thats good information about starting on a Sunday...and I am in the 50+ bracket also.

much appreciated...

walkmag

[miriam]

My husband and I, both late fifties, but fit, plan to start at Leon Sept 11. We are giving ourselves 10 days to reach Santiago as we fly back to Canada from Madrid Sept 24. Is 10 days realistic ?

Just want to say what a great site this is, you really get in to the spirit of things just by reading the entries - some great information.

[walkmag]

Hi just to give you a measure.

I did this Gap Travel Trip from Astorga to Santiago in Sept 2006 ( see URL below ) , we walked for at least 13 of the 15 days ..we stayed in Hostels and I even had my Pack taxied ahead.

So maybe to make it in 10 would be a pressure .. I am not sure that 10 days would allow much time for rest , recovery , full enjoyment or any unexpected events ..

This link shows the Route we walked.
https://www.gapadventures.com/tour/ESEC

Wishing you a great walk
cheers

[miriam]

Thanks for the feedback Walkmag. We may have to change our plans a little otherwise we will defeat the whole purpose of enjoying the experience. We still have a few days at the front and back end of our trip we can use to make our Km's per day more realistic. We could even start from Astorga and add a couple of days to our walking time. Where did you travel from to get to Astorga ? Madrid ?

Thanks again.

[walkmag]

Hi I began in Leon with the Gap travel Group ...the following day we caught bus and train to Astorga....to begin the walk .

I had flown from Australia to Barcelona had a few days stop over then to Asturias...(on cheap flight with SpanAir.)
then bus...to leon...


Adding a few more days would keep it more relaxed.

[Covey]

10 days is the normal walking schedule for those doing the 30 day St Jean to Santiago walk, so you should be OK, although there will not be time for days off.

The first couple of days out of Leon are on the flat so you have a little time to make friends and look around (not much to see!!) before the climb up to El Cebreiro.

[miriam]

Thanks Walkmag and Covey, some good feedback from both of you. I think we have enough flexibility in our schedule to play it by ear based on what you have both said.

Thanks to both.

[Derville]

My husband and I, both late fifties, but fit, plan to start at Leon Sept 11. We are giving ourselves 10 days to reach Santiago as we fly back to Canada from Madrid Sept 24. Is 10 days realistic ?

Just want to say what a great site this is, you really get in to the spirit of things just by reading the entries - some great information.

Hi you could do it in 10 days but you're not allowing yourself much scope if you want to change your tempo or if want to take sometime to visit some of the wonderful sights along your way. I walked from Astorga to Santiago in 11 days June 2008. I averaged 20-25 km per day but some days it was near 30 km. It was probably one of the most lovely experiences of my life and I met a great bunch of people. i hope you have a wonderful way. Buen Camino.


Derville

[mvhclancy]

Hi

Four of us, aged 50 - 68 walked from Astorga to Santiago in 14 days in September 2005. I think 10 days from Leon to Santiago would be a grind. we averaged 19ks a day. we had walked the Coast to Coast (300ks) in England prior to the Camino so were prettyy fit.
regards,

michael

[mvhclancy]

Hi

three of us will be leaving St Jean on Sunday 13 September and staying overnight at Refuge Orisson. Might see you on the way. Don't worry though we did some of the Camino in 2005 and you will have plenty of people to meet up with on the way.

regards,

Michael

[miriam]

Thanks mvhclancy,
I am sure that you are right and that we will have a great time and meet lots of interesting people. We are really looking forward to it. We'll keep a look out for you.

Great forum this!