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[ClaireB]

Hi!
My name is Claire, I'm 26 and I will be attempting the Camino Frances from Burgos in June, starting the 2nd I think. My decision was made after reading a really inspiring book - 'the year we seized the day' written by two authors about their experiences on the Camino. After reading about everything they went through to get there and to compete it I thought, I can do it too! So I'm going to give it a go
I only decided to do it this week so it's a bit of a rush to prepare but I feel it is something I have to do. I've battled chronic illness for seven years now and I'm finally at a place where I can attempt something 'crazy' like this - my decision is just as much a spiritual/emotional one as a physical one I think. In fact my decision has already inspired some friends of mine to do things they've always wanted to but didn't think they could for various reasons!
I've also started a blog walking for wisdom, thought I might as well document how I go
Anyway, I hope to see some of you on the way - I'll be by myself so would welcome a chat
Claire

[joe]

Reading through Brads and Coveys conversation, I am really moved.

I'm just a kid compared to you guys (20), but I feel that already my life has been and always will be pointless, I suffer from depression. I watched a film 3 days ago called "The Way" and it encouraged me to walk the Camino. I will be walking alone from Saint Jean, and plan to walk to Finisterre (which is a little further past Santiago, I hear the sunsets there are amazing).

I've planned everything in these 3 days and will be leaving next month on the 18th May, it's such a short time zone to plan something like this but it's my 21st birthday on the 17th May and I want to do something that I will remember forever. I hope that this "spur of the moment" decision will be positive, I really want to change my life around and change the way I think of life, right now that's too hard when I live in a world this hectic! I'm hoping to find peace and tranquility on my Camino. I feel it is my last hope to start a life that I will be happy living.

Joe.

[ClaireB]

Joe - I might see you on the way! I've had to re-evaluate my planning skills (or lack thereof) and realised that with jet lag etc (coming from Australia) and the amount of time I have combined with not wanting to rush it for physical reasons that I should only do Leon-Santiago de Compstela this time which is a bit disappointing but I'd prefer not to collapse in a ditch on the side of the way! I also want to get to Finisterre.
It's a big decision and congratulations for making it, I also battled depression so understand how hard it can be and completely get the feeling pointless bit - I've had chronic fatigue for 7 years now and feel I have accomplished nothing. I guess what I'm trying to say is you're not alone http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/fo...es/redface.png
Might see you in Leon then
Claire

[Dawn]

Dear Leslie, thanks for your reply re the Schengen visa. I have just bought John Brierley's book and have found the Confraternity of St James of South Africa, listed. This is a great book and will be well worn before I even get there!
Regards
Dawn

[joe]

Hi Claire, thanks for your message. If you still plan to go on 2nd June you will probably be 5-6 days ahead of me as I start my camino on 22nd May, but if you started around the 5th or 6th in Leon we could cross paths. Leon is over half way from St. Jean so it would take me approximately 15-20 days (hopefully) to reach there (6th-11th June). However, it is a long journey and it depends on the speed and distance we walk each day, so anything is possible... and we could always meet at the end in Santiago and travel to Finisterre together (depending on how far away I'll be from Santiago at the time)

If you want we could exchange contact details just in case the opportunity does present itself, and even if it doesn't we could simply keep in touch and talk about our journey on the Camino after we finish

[ClaireB]

Hi Joe, and everyone else!
Looks like I've hit reality pretty hard and don't have the time (or the health) to do that much - not sure why i thought it was 260km from Leon to Santiago de Compostela instead of 300+...
I'll be in Leon around the 5th - 7th but will be bussing (and stopping for sightseeing along the way) to Sarria and walking from there. It's a bit disappointing but the reality is, if I want to make it to the end I have to be more realistic about my plans
I'm hoping to have time (and energy) to walk to Finisterre at the end so I might see you there still! I'll be going slowly when I do start walking and there's every chance you'll overtake me or meet me at the end! Either way we'll keep in touch and see how we go
Anyone else planning on being in the same-ish area then? I'll be the slow one with the bright orange pack - be sure to say hi as you pass!

[Covey]

ClaireB.............It is your Camino, and you do it whichever way you like.

You don't have to ask folk to say Hi as they pass cos they all do anyway. If you stop and sit down for a breather by the side of the trail, I can guarantee you that every pilgrim that passes you will ask if you are OK.

[ClaireB]

Thanks Covey
I'm just nervous I guess
But I'll be fine!!

[Danielle]

Hola!

I walked from Ponferrada to Sarria in 2004 (Jubilee year). I came down with some acute tendonitis in my Achilles tendons (ouch!). I'm really excited about walking, again, from Ponferrada to Santiago this month.

Is anyone else walking this Easter?

[ken huocj]

Hullo Claire,

you'll be able to complete the Camino and get to Fisterre with Plenty of time to spare.
You might even be able to start from Astorga, see how you mange on the first few days at a slower pace.

I found the Stop at Ave Fenix in Villafranca del Bierzo and El Cebreiro very memorable

The fellow Peregrinos one meets daily are all so very friendly.

Buen Camino ~ Meegwetch ;-)

[unadara]

FYI I'll be the guy who has a chocolate croissant for breakfast each day, walks slowly, and takes a nap on the trail every afternoon. :-)

Sandy your you tube video is great thanks, re your choice of breakfast ? is this all you have ? do people walk without eating at dawn and then stop later, does anyone eat a breakfast in the hostal? I eat porridge/oatmeal at home and might try a cold muesli instead? any suggestions.
Thanks
Una

[HuskyNerd]

Hi again, Unadara. Chocolate croissants are my guilty pleasure on the camino. I leave the albergue w/o food (generally I've had a big meal the night before), then stop at the nearest cafe/bar for cafe con leche and, if I'm lucky, a chocolate croissant. This seems to work throughout Navarre and La Rioja and Galicia, but pickings are slim for French pastries in Castille/Leon. At the same bar/cafe I order a bocadillo con queso y tomate (I don't eat red meat, so no bocadillo con chorizo for me) and have them wrap it in aluminum foil for my walking lunch. Their bocadillos are huge, so this holds me fine until dinner. If you don't already know, bocadillos are sandwiches made from French-style bread.

Some do eat breakfast at albergues. Seems like these are usually something like toast and jam and coffee. Why not muesli? Sounds good. Do you eat it with milk? I imagine it could be a problem to transport milk in a backpack, but I've never tried it myself.

[Barbara Er]

ClaireB - I'm pushing off from Sarria morning of 9th June. When do you think you'll be passing there? Sorry - my geography is pretty bad so not sure how long it'll take for you to get from Leon to Sarria. I'll look out for that orange backpack and you can look out for that Asian gal!

Barbs

[unadara]

Sandy, that sounds like a good plan, know the bocadillo well, you then have food readily available for lunch should you not wish to stop again for lunch-or get hungry between bars , and might find a good picnic spot too to rest up for a while. The memory bank is getting quite full with tips and hints like this.

[ClaireB]

Hi Barbs!
I'm planning on starting on the 9th as well - it depends on what I can organise for my train trip from Paris to Burgos/Leon now as I had planned an overnight but that option doesn't seem to be available any more
I'll let you know but the 9th is looking good!

[kernow]

Hi Danielle,

I'm planning to walk from Ponferrada to Santiago too, hopefully bussing it from Valladolid to P tomorrow!

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay when I turn up in the evening, and where I can get a pilgrim's passport from?

M

[Covey]

You could stay in the official Albergue (try not to end up in the basement!!) and they will issue you with a Pilgrim Passport. The official Albergue is about 300m from the castle and sits on the edge of one of the towns car parks.

[ScotlandtoSantiago]

I just wanted to say that this forum has been an invaluable resource over the past week and a half that I've been planning my trip. Well done Leslie, on building such an amazing site.

The advice provided has helped me no end and it’s great to see so many people taking time out to help first timers like myself. I’ll be walking from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela then on to Finisterre and Muxia from 1st May until some time in June, all being well.

I hope that when I get back I can give my time and advice to other pilgrims in the same way that you and the other contributors have done.

Thanks!

[Anso]

Hello Everybody,

I was planning to do the full Camino Frances later this year, as it looking like voluntary redundancy was on the cards, but "the powers that be" changed their minds the same day I made up my mind to do the Camino, such is life. So this called for a new plan, I still intend to do the full Camino Frances, but after further consideration I've decided I'll aim to do it in 2020, as my sons would be old enough at 15 & 12 to join me, I hope it will be an enriching experience for us all.

Anyway I'm not one to fall at the first hurdle so with a little shuffling of my leave, I've clawed together 10 days off work, from 3rd Sept to 18th Sept 2011. So time to plan my "first reccy” in preparation of 2020.

I intend to try from Villafranca del Bierzo, to Santiago then onwards to Muxia and then Finisterre, winding down the adventure and getting away from the crowd of Santiago's last 100km, according to google maps this would be 168Miles/270km, so I reckon 10-11 days on the path, slightly disheartening google reminds me that if I take the car I'd be their by lunchtime!

I live in Jersey the largest of the Channel Islands, so I hope to get to my start point promptly, in fact I reckon of my 16 days, I'll actually have 13 to 14 on Camino with a little careful travel planning. While I'm far from being super fit, I did complete a 48.2Mile / 77.5Km non-stop hike last year around Jersey's coast, we have a lot of cliff paths where I live so the 48.2 miles in one day was a challenge.

This brings me onto my reasons for attempting a Camino, the physical challenge is part of it, but what really encourages me to put my time and energy into this, is that last year I really enjoyed the community spirit of thousands of people with a common goal, the general decency of the people that take on these sorts of challenge, the easy friendships and comradeship that is formed regardless of the usual social boundaries.

I've already leant a great deal from reading the forum posts on this site, a big thanks to all the members who contribute, finally if your travelling this route at the same time, feel free to say hello, as we may share the road from time to time.

[gerrard]

hi anzo and everyone else,,great to read your logistics for the camino,,i live on the small prilgrim isle of Iona off the west coast of scotland and allthough iam an avid long distance endurance cyclist i too have been doing logistics on walking the frances camino,,i will be starting the walk from spdp around the end of august 2011,so if you are there on a reccy be good to meet up ..the time is right for me to be doing the camino,,and i leave it as in all my bike rides in gods hands..good luck anzo.gerrard.

[Anso]

Hi Gerrard, long distance Endurance cycling! I suspect you'll be whizzing past me then. Good to have another Islander on the route at the same time. Sorry to read about your Dad, my deepest sympathy Gerrard.

It was my uncle’s funeral last week, so my plans have shifted somewhat, I’m now going to start from Astorga, as I’d like to drop a stone from Jersey at Cruz de Ferro for him, we all loved David the youngest of three brothers, my dad being the eldest, David was a rogue, but always had a smile and a joke to tell. A carpenter by trade, but was a thief, a brawler, a drunk and a tramp at various times in his life. So well I figured he’ll probably needs all the help he can get.

Good luck Gerrard see you on the road.

[Timothy]

Hi All
Finally joined the forum. Have been browsing the site for the past four months and always had the answer ready and waiting to whatever question has surfaced. So a big appreciation to all those who have gone before me as i am about to embark on my first camino: June 28th. flying in from london to Biarittz then was hoping to take the bus up to SJPDP but no one mentions it. Guess i'll just find out from Bayonne when i get there. Have noticed a perceptual shift since all practical preparations have been completed: stuff, logistics, tickets ect. Now i can feel the excitement and trepidation. Feel that i live in a very fortunate time to embark on such a journey. Meditating upon how it must have been for the pilgrims of past times i laughed when i considered the time i spent researching ultralite kit and the sheer range of equipment available to us today. I'm taking a tent as it's for sure going to be many of us during july/ August. Also for the purpose of taking my time rather than adding to the pressure on the alberges. "If there's a bed there's a bed". I don't want my mind concentrating on where i'll sleep and the extra weight of a tent (1.5kg) will take the edge off the luxury of modernity and i'll think of my ancestral camino brothers and sisters. "Under the stars to the field of stars" has a certain poetic touch. I'm sure i won't be thinking that as i haul the tent up mountains but God willing I'll find the strength. Look forward to meeting those of you on the road, or seeking shelter and rest in a cafe along the Way.
Blessings Timothy

[Laurah]

I am copying what i wrote for my profile...and introducing myself here in full.

I have a love/hate relationship with god & religion (esp. organized) despite many spiritual experiences and i think this yin/yang goes back several hundred years. I mention this because i am drawn to the Pilgrimage in a deeper more esoteric and past life sort of way (which also ties in with the Crusades), ANYWAY...

So I simply consider myself to be Spiritual, not religious. I have wanted to do the pilgrimage since i first heard about it 15-20 years ago but timing was never right. Now I have MS and realize I need to do it NOW while i still can (um, if i can).

I was diagnosed with MS in 2008, and despite this i plan on doing the full Camino journey. I have no choice, spiritually i know it is what i have to do. I am frighten yet excited at the prospect. I have always traveled alone in my journeys, and if i didn't have MS i'd be doing this journey alone too, but i have asked my daughter to join me (she is 19 1/2) specifically telling her it has to be what SHE wants, i am waiting for her to decide. I would like to do it this summer, before it turns cold in Spain.

So anyone who can offer advice i am more then happy to read it

[Covey]

Welcome to the Forum Laurah.

Having decided that you are going to walk your Camino, the next decision is when and where. Summer in Spain can be very hot but an early September start might be a good idea.

As to "where" I would suggest you walk the Camino Frances. This is partly because it is a nice route in most places, and partly because it is well developed as a route and there are plenty of places to stay along the Way and you go through various major cities which are convenient start/stop/rest places with good rail and road communications.

You might like to think about starting at Pamplona. Pamplona to Burgos is an interesting and not too difficult stage and when you reach Burgos, then you can decide if you want to walk the Meseta from Burgos to Leon etc etc.

If you are going to start the Camino Frances in Spain (Pamplona onwards!) then plan to fly in to Madrid from the States, and then train or coach to your start point.

Just remember one thing. It is your Camino. You walk it your way, and at your pace. Ignore those who natter on about walking 40kms a day and just do what you feel comfortable with. In September the numbers walking the Camino Frances are not as great as in June-August and the Universities and Colleges and teachers have all gone home, and the Recycled Teenagers come out to play!!

Quite why this Forum for a Catholic Pilgrimage Route ended up with two Moderators who are Methodists is beyond me, but everybody who is a Member will give you all the help, advice and encouragement you may want!!

[Heliman1965]

Hi All,

I am in the planning stage of my trip yes I'm reading alot comments which does help so thanks to all that post the info.

At this stage of the planning, I'll be traveling alone so hope to meet many like minded people on the way. I'm looking at starting at St Jean and I am working on a time scale of 6 weeks, but hey if it takes longer so be it.

I'd never heard of the Camino de Santiago until I watch the Martin Sheen film "The Way" and wow what a moving film that is..
So when the wife said ok go and do the walk, I've thought of nothing else. My list of things to do before I'm 50 has been put on the back burner and walking the Camino is my soul aime at the moment.

So a big Hi to all
Bryan

[Anso]

Hi Laurah,

I'd like to add to Covey's excellent and sage-like advice, that while this is a physical challenge the bigger test is in the mind. It takes a lot of willpower to walk the Camino, especially when there's a perfectly good bus service.

So while you have invited your daughter to join you for physical support, remember that you're a team, and there will be many days where your courage and determination will support and inspire her, on her Camino.

Sincerely Laurah good luck to you both. I'll be somewhere on the Camino Frances from the 27th August now, so may see you along the way.

Wow I've just noticed I've lost my junior member status, 20 posts already, I feel all grown up!

Kind regards
Anso

[unadara]

Hi Laurah
I am so pleased to hear from Covey that I am a "recycled teenager" that is a new one to me. But yes that is what I hope I am, we start on Tues Sept 13th from St Jean and hope to do the Camino into SDeC by Oct 16th, we have a few days to spare. The books I have bought (tut tut-I am a "retired" librarian and very seldom buy books-but this time I wanted to "own" them.) and recommend are by Kevin Codd To the Field of Stars, Tim Moore's Spanish Steps, 2 to keep John Brierley's Maps, and a pilipalapress.com Walking the Camino de C. However there are 100's, if you read HuskyNerds advice re Religion and Spirituality it contains good "bits". Go back and forwards through the threads and see what you glean from them. I hope your plans go ahead. Wish you all the best with your planning, and if you are about in Sept ?
Una

[Lipka149]

Hi Timothy !

Your feelings sound so much like my own. Excitement and trepidation !

As I recall, there is a bus that takes you from Biaritz to Bayonne and then a train to SJPP. We started our Camino in late June as well, and believe it or not, it was quite chilly in the mornings. You might want to consider a fleece for those chilly days. Might come in handy at night too, if you are camping.

Enjoy the anticipation, my brother. Buen camino !

~ Alan

[Lipka149]

Hi Laurah !

Ha ! "Spiritual, but not religious" ... that's how I described myself on eHarmony. Met a wonderful woman that way ... ... married her, I did.

I do so hope your daughter decides to walk with you. My son and I shared this experience two years ago. We were friends to begin with, but ended as hermanos. My hope would be that you and she would end as sisters in every sense of the word. What a gift to each other !

Covey and Anso and Una highlight excellent considerations. Perhaps I might add that as you prepare for your unique, personal Camino, the Being-you-are-spiritually-connected-to is preparing the Camino for you as well. Trust her.

Enjoy your journey, and take care of your feet !

Buen camino -

~ Alan

[wupatki]

Buenos dias

I'm an old coot who does stupid stuff like riding a bicycle from Nova Scotia to Mexico (five years ago, when I was 66). I'm drawn to the Camino mainly by its beauty, as portrayed by the peregrinos I've encountered, and as confirmed by the photos on Google Earth.

I've booked a flight to London on Sept. 1st, and a return flight on Nov. 1st. September has always been my favorite time of year. Even when it meant going back to school.

I use Wupatki as a user name because nobody else does and I love the place. But my name is George.