September debut

[re.bx]

I am sure the question has been asked many times but I need help in getting the planning started for this September. It came to me in a flash a few days ago and I decided I wanted to do the route from southern France this year. It will be my debut for charity and my grandaughter's open heart surgery aged 6 month has given me the stimulus to do this especially for the children's hospital at Alderhay. So I have the motivation hopefully the fitness and time to complete this but I know this is going to involve a lot of preparation and purchases and booking and I am not sure just where to start so any help would really be appreciated.

[Covey]

I am off down the trail from St Jean to Santiago & Finesterre for the 5th time starting on 4th September10.

There is a lot of enjoyment to be had from all the planning etc, but in reality, you could decide to catch a flight to Bairritz in 3 days time and you will be on your way.

Your main issue is footwear. Your walking shoes/boots need to be well broken in, but if you already walk for a hobby, jump on a plane!!

You can spent too much time planning every step of the way, and your mind is so full of what you have planned on seeing, that you miss the glory of what is actually around you. I see people with reams of notes on what they should see and do, and know they will miss the better bits!

It is a good idea to book a place in an albergue in St Jean for your first night, and then for the next 30 - 60 days, you take each day as it comes. I never plan on where I am going to be the next evening. I start out in the morning and see how it goes. If it is a nice day I might do 30kms, if it is raining, I might only do 15-20kms and stop early and do some laundry.

If you spend a couple of hours reading the relevant sections in this Forum you will get a rough idea of what you need to do, and we will all give you as much help as we can.

[re.bx]

Thanks for that. I appreciate the help. I was thinking of getting plane to Biarritz but wasn't sure how long it all takes. 32 days seems a fair guess so not sure waht to do about the return flight from Santiago. Also was goig for low back light walking boots but not sure which. Also had a look at lists of what to carry with you and got a bit befuddled with that. Whether to take light sleeping bag. How many pairs of shorts/t shirts etc etc. I agree that I don't want to do too much planning but want to get the basics right.

[Covey]

For walking in September you do not really need boots, so a good walking "shoe" is fine, with as many gortex panels as possible!!That makes sure the feet can breathe.

Allow 40 days to do St Jean to Santiago. Day one you fly to Bairritz, day 2 you walk to Roncesvalles etc and that will allow for a rest day in Burgos and Leon.

You need a rucksack, and unless you have a friend who has the right one, you need to buy one at a specialist camping shop where they will measure your back length and sell you the right sized pack. Make sure it weighs no more than 1kg (ish) Osprey make the pack I use and mine is an Atmos 50 litre. Very light, enough room for all my kit inside (you do not want to look like a Christmas tree!!) and very very comfortable.

I carry a spare pair of zip off trousers and three changes of shirt underclothes and socks, in addition to what I am wearing. A bit heavier than necessary, but means I do not have to do laundry every other day. A fleece (lightweight) is essential and some form of lightweight waterproof jacket. A pair of rubber trail sandals if possible, or flip flops at minimum.

Charger for your mobile, torch, small knife fork & spoon, medical bits & bobs, money, NHS Health Card, debit card and credit card, lightweight sleeping bag, gloves, hat and you are ready to go!!

[irish]

hi guys, I myself am thinking about doing the camino from St Jean in September, (first time) how much money realistically and time would i need to complete it?

[Covey]

In terms of time, you will need 40 days to walk the Camino Frances from St Jean Pied du Port in France to Santiago. This allows for a days travel each end and a few days R&R along the way and at Santiago.

In terms of money, a realistic amount is €30 a day as a budget, EXCLUDING the costs of travel to St Jean and home again. This assumes you do not have exotic tastes in food and drink and will stay in small hotels in your "days off" at around €35 a night.

So, from St Jean to Santiago, plan on taking 40 days and spending €1500 all up including travel to and from Eire/UK.

This assumes that you are young and have not developed a taste for Gin and Tonic like wot I have, cos a good G&T costs from €5 - €10 depending where you are!!

I am starting from St Jean on 4th Sept and hopefully the exchange rate for £/€ will not be completely outrageous so I can still afford the occasional G&T

[karenleeg]

Hi Covey,

Glad to hear you are a fan of G&T too! I am looking forward to meeting with you and Nancy from Halifax at Gatwick on the 3rd of September! Hopefully, I can stand you a drink the evening before our walk begins! Thanks for all of the information you have so generously shared on this blog!
Karen-Lee

[Covey]

Nancy has found a flight, but it arrives about the same time as the Black Sheep Express takes off for Bairritz, so I have suggested she looks at the possibility of flying via the States.

My parents used to complain that the concept of cheap air travel never seemed to have arrived in Canada and it used to cost an arm and a leg to get from London to St Johns.

I have press ganged my son into driving me/us to Gatwick in time for the Black Sheep Express and you and Nancy are invited to dinner (Black tie and ball gowns!) at mine in South London, after which we can repack the kit and wander along to Gatwick and see how many other bleary eyed Pilgrims are on the flight.

[Marc]

Hi
Why gloves?

[Covey]

Because in October it can get cold on top of El Cebriero if the weather turns. AKA Windchill!!

[Covey]

There are daily flights by Ryanair from Santiago to Stansted

There are daily flights from Madrid to the UK (Heathrow, Gatwick & Stansted)

There is an excellent coach service from Burgos to Santiago and all points in between by ALSA ALSA - Hacemos tu viaje m

There are very regular train and bus links to Madrid from all the major towns in Northern Spain.

[Flamehand]

Hi Covey, I've been reading your forum entries for months now - many thanks for many hours of vicarious pleasure, dreaming and planning! I'm going to be walking solo from St Jean around the end of Sept 2011. When you say it is good to book a place in an alberque in St Jean for the first night, do you mean 'prebook in advance' or simply book in on arrival. I was wondering about reaching and staying at the Orison for the first night, especially because the first day otherwise sounds like a real toughie. I've seen comments about camping but do you know if there are any details published about which alberques will let a pilgrim camp outside. (My concern about staying inside is that I am a very loud snorer and many people are unable to sleep anywhere near me - I would feel much more relaxed under the stars although I would love to be around the alberques for the social interaction).

[unadara]

flamehand
I see there is no reply to your post as it is in an old thread!
Book ahead in st jean. What date you going ? we are booked into L'Esprit du Chemin on 12th sep. Orison booked very far in advance. There are posts about camping outside alberques, I recommend amawalker.blogspot.com
Buen Camino
Covey is on the Porto to Santiago route?/started today