My Plan

[micha]

Hi
My friend and I are planning to walk from Astorga to Santiago around the last 2 weeks of may. This is our plan....I would love to hear any comments.
1. We fly into Madrid at 12.30 pm. Planning to spend the afternoon exploring the city and also going to the post-office to post some stuff to Santiago's post-office.
2. Next morning we plan to get the 9.30 bus to Astorga which should arrive at 13.30. This gives us time to look around Astorga, get our passport and some last minute shopping etc.
3. The following morning we start the camino to Santiago, which according to books/forums etc should take about 11/12 days.
4. We plan to pick up a rental car at Santiago to drive to Finesterre and back to Madrid. We have some extra days to spare and plan to visit and spend some nights in towns along the way from Santiago to Madrid like Burgos. Would love some suggestions here!
That is the outline itinerary. Would love to hear comments from your experience. These are my thoughts too:
a. We plan to stay in Albergues and every now and then a B&B. Would we need a sleeping bag for this time of year and these types of accommodation?
b. We plan to carry no more than 7-10 kilos each, hoping that laundry facilities are available on the way. We are looking at 35 Ltr max rucksacks.
c. Would May we warm enough to stay in flip-flops in the evenings which can double up as waterproof shoes for the showers? What weather are we likely to encounter as this time of year.
Thanks for all your help in advance. This forum was very helpful already.
Michelle
Malta

[HuskyNerd]

Sounds like a great plan, Micha. Yep, I'd suggest a sleeping bag. I've found it quite chilly at Foncebadon and O Cebreiro, both of which you'll go through. Yes, there is laundry along the way, but mostly of the ancient variety (i.e. by hand) and occasionally of the machine variety. Flip flops will work, though sometimes you'll find cool evenings in May and will add socks to your flip flops to stay warm at night. Personally, I prefer a comfy and light camp shoe and have never bothered with flip flops in the shower. Last May/June I had overcast days and occasional light rain, along with some sunny days in the 22C range. Buen camino!

[micha]

To save time I am trying to find out whether there is a post office from where I can post a parcel to Santiago at Madrid Barajas airport. This would allow me to travel to Astorga on the same day of my arrival into Spain and commence the walk the day after. Would appreciate any help.
Thanks
Michelle

[HuskyNerd]

Here's the info you are looking for: Oficina de Correos Aeropuerto Barajas | madridpedia.com , which says that yes, there is a post office in Terminal 1 at Barajas. If your Spanish is not good you'll want to know that in Spain the post office is called "Correos." The website indicates its Madrid Barajas hours are M-F 8:30-2:30, Saturdays 9:30 - 1:00, closed Sundays.