2nd Camino-How to choose-tell me why ?

[unadara]

We completed the CF from STJPP last Sep/Oct. It may be possible to get away this year again. I would like to walk the CF again, staying in different towns, experiencing more fully some of the places we rushed through. I also am looking at alternatives, starting in Le Puy, Aragones, Norte just a few ? All have attractions ? Like to hear what "old-timers", (no offence-just envy!) think. Again possible dates are May or Sept/Oct.

[HuskyNerd]

Una, I really enjoyed my 2010 camino along the Sanabres portion of the Via de la Plata. This portion of the VdlP is somewhat mountainous, adding a more strenuous flavor to the walk, and I must say the albergues upon entering Galicia are impressive. A VdlP starting at Sevilla includes a few cities with Roman ruins (like Merida) along with a few other interesting towns (like Sevilla itself). I enjoyed Ourense and the fortress at Puebla de Sanabria. The walk along the ridge overlooking the lake out of A Gudina is spectacular. Al of this on a camino that is virtually undiscovered -- until Ourense there were about a dozen pilgrims each day at each albergue.

So many caminos out there and so few days of vacation each year!

[unadara]

Sandy
Are dates important on this route because of heat ?. I may get to just fly out and go? so time may not be an issue but heat would be. I fancy a mountainous aspect. On consideration my best days on the CF were La Faba, Roncesvalles, ElAcebo, all hills and views. Have just been looking at Le Puy as a possible start, weather there seems to be very erratic ? snow in June (unless the blog i am reading was written afterwards)-will do all the research and be ready just in case. Rome is too much of a mental challenge for me right now, in years to come when I have more experience.
As usual, Thanks.

[HuskyNerd]

I hear what you're saying about the mental challenge of Rome. The many guidebooks, routes, lack of housing, etc. make for a lot of planning. Truth be told, I'm starting to wonder if it's for me this year or if I should go back to the comfort of a Spanish camino.

Weather is a big deal in the southern stretch of the VdlP and due to the heat most people avoid that portion in July/Aug. My walk through the Sanabres (the northern stretch) in 2010 was in July and the weather was lovely (no rain), but I did learn why they say Ourense is the hottest city in Galicia. All the best ~ S.

[unadara]

Sandy
Sometimes it's the small thing that effect the decision making process, for me it can be that's it, decision made! Ryanair fly direct to Seville, it is one of the cities I have not visited yet, and the Camino may take 40 days with good signage. I just want to walk, no plans, at this time it might be will we go on a Tues or a Sat ? flights go up in May but not too much. So am reading Gerald Kelly's excellent on-line guide as directed here and will read a few blogs. And will keep the forum informed haha..if you don't start the Via Francigena are you thinking Norte ? what dates ?

[HuskyNerd]

That's great! You'll have a super time, Una. What great luck to have a direct flight to Sevilla.

If I'm not mistaken, Ger's guide takes the route that joins the Camino Frances at Astorga. This is a worthy option, but to me it's a shame to miss the Sanabres region, particularly if one has already done the Camino Frances.

I'll probably wait until the last minute to make the choice about VF or Camino del Norte. I have some friends from last year's CF who are hoping to meet me and walk a ways together -- at Dover, in W France and in Switzerland -- so that's definitely a draw of the VF. We'll see. Buen camino!

[unadara]

Just finished reading a blog that takes the Sanabres route also, sounds great, BUT, this couple average 5-6km an hr, is that possible ? Though they do sound exactly like us, having to get up and out early, routine really, hard to sleep with snorers, like to finish at 2pm etc.. and have beer! But to complete the 1000kms in 5 weeks seems very fast. We won't pay much attention to others as we know our own "range". But it may be that there are more places to stay now too ? There does not seem to be an element of "pilgrimage" to it either-just a long walk ?. We enjoyed the blessings, masses, religion encountered on the CF. Off to read more too, our Spanish fellow caminoist lives in Madrid and Camino Madrid and onwards to SDC would be a 30days trip and Jose might join us ? Oh isn't it great to sit here dreaming....

[HuskyNerd]

Ouch, 5-6 kms/hr is pretty ambitious and. Six weeks would be better if the whole 1000 kms is the goal. There are definitely pilgrimage aspects of the VdlP through Sanabres --- the monastery at Oseira, for instance. If you're not Jul/Aug I don't think dashing for albergue beds is necessary. I don't know that much about Camino de Madrid, but I have heard it is quite deserted, even more so than VdlP.