I am hoping to do the Camino in mid Sept-Oct '12. I speak Spanish, Peace Corps-Honduras and did heavy hiking there in mountain/rainforest/tropics. I plan to fly into Madrid. Some of the forum advises the novice to first do the Frances. However I am interested in the Camino Madrid. Any opinions in my circumstances? Also what kind of sleeping bag/sack to carry in Sept-Oct and is a sleeping pad necessary(Thermarest etc,..)?