planning

[Miro]

Hello,

I've decided to do my walk this year. Actually I just have decided about it. My first question to this forum is related to the period of planning. I'd like to do it this year about July. Two months of preparation are enough? And starting in early July is too hard? My initial plan is walking for the longer way.

Thanks

[Sil]

I've decided to do my walk this year. Actually I just have decided about it. My first question to this forum is related to the period of planning. I'd like to do it this year about July. Two months of preparation are enough? And starting in early July is too hard? My initial plan is walking for the longer way.

If you are walking fit, two months to plan is fine.
Choose your route.
You say 'the longer way' - which one do you mean? There are about 15 different routes in Spain, 7 in France and 2 in Portugal. Some are 1500km long others only 115km.
Get your gear together.
Lightweight backpack, money belt, boots or trainers, good hiking socks (the majority of the paths are cross-country) 2 pairs shorts, 1 pair trousers, two t-shirts, 1 long sleeve shirt, a lightweight jacket or fleece, good rain gear, underwear, hat. Toiletries (all small size and medication).
Buy your FOREX, apply for a Visa, let your bank know that you will be traveling so that you can use your credit card.
July and August are the busiest months on the caminos - also the hottest - so take sunscreen and be prepared for early starts if you plan on staying in pilgrim shelters.
Buen camino!

[Covey]

I have often thought that the shorter the planning time the better, and just get on with it!

You need time to get fit (or fitter) unless you are an experienced walker and have well broken in footwear, but endless months of planning seems to take away some of the excitement of wondering what it is going to be like.

I have met pilgrims who have every day planned out, with copious notes on where they need to go and what to see, but half the enjoyment is sticking your nose outside the albergue door at 0730hrs and wondering what the day will bring, and where you will end up at the end of the day.

Just go with the flow, plan on how you are getting to your start point (you normally need reservations on planes etc) and how to get home from Santiago, and the rest of the time, just see what each day brings.

I can guarantee you will not be disappointed!!

Enjoy

[Roseallee]

I am just home from backpacking around the Highlands and islands of Scotland.The most memorable bits happened when I acted spontaneously. Being of a certain age female and travelling alone, I did like having the next night's bed booked but too much advance planning often led to it being scrapped when exciting new possibilities became available.

[Covey]

When we read that "Ladies of a certain age" change their plans when "exciting new possibilities become available" one is tempted to abandon plans to walk the Camino in July and head for the Highlands and Islands instead!!

I thought that people had close encounters with midges when wandering around Scotland. A friend went on holiday there and said they were worse than the flies in Africa.

[Sil]

Ahhh .... the Highlands of Scotland! On my Bucket List!
Have walked the Coast to Coast in England - had to change direction a few times due to the Foot & Mount in 2001.
You can make plans on the camino, but there is a saying " you don't walk the camino,the camino walks you!"

[Roseallee]

When we read that "Ladies of a certain age" change their plans when "exciting new possibilities become available" one is tempted to abandon plans to walk the Camino in July and head for the Highlands and Islands instead!!

I thought that people had close encounters with midges when wandering around Scotland. A friend went on holiday there and said they were worse than the flies in Africa.

Sadly, not that kind of excitement, alas!
Awesome country, though and hardly any tourists about. I was there from mid-Nov. to the end of April with nary a midge in sight. I certainly heard midge horror stories, though. "Skin So Soft" by Avon was touted as the best midge repellent in various places. Beats me, why or how.
If you don't mind the possibilities of gales with winds strong enough to blow you over, I recommend the winter. Not nearly as cold or as grey as I was lead to expect.

[Leslie]

Ah, the midges of Scotland. Being from Scotland I know the wee beasties well.

They are not a problem in winter, none around - but walking in July, Aug, or Sep can be hell sometimes. When I lived there I never found anything to deal with them. I would pray for a windy day, that was the best one could hope for. Once the wind gets up they disappear - but on a warm humid summers day they swarm around your head and have a feast.

We get them here in Ireland also, but they don't seem to be quite a fierce.

[johnfnewman]

I just saw this small article today on keeping mosquitos at bay.

The best remedy for itchy mosquito bites is to prevent them in the first place. Use these tips to help stay bite-free this spring and summer:

1. Stay indoors at dusk when mosquitoes are out and about.
2. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved tops, and tuck long pants into your socks.
3. Stay away from black and white fabrics, which seem to drive the little bugs wild.
4. Try mixtures of essential oils, such as pennyroyal oil and eucalyptus. These are moderately effective if you're not dealing with really thick swarms of mosquitoes.
5. In places like Alaska or Minnesota, where mosquitoes can be overwhelming, use insect repellants containing geraniol, a plant-derived compound, or neem oil, from the Indian tree Azadirachta indica.

Five Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

[Roseallee]

Ah, the midges of Scotland. Being from Scotland I know the wee beasties well.

They are not a problem in winter, none around - but walking in July, Aug, or Sep can be hell sometimes. When I lived there I never found anything to deal with them. I would pray for a windy day, that was the best one could hope for. Once the wind gets up they disappear - but on a warm humid summers day they swarm around your head and have a feast.

We get them here in Ireland also, but they don't seem to be quite a fierce.

It happens that I do have experience with midges, (or their cousins). Ceratopogonidae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I wondered if they are what we call no-see-ums and indeed they are from the same family. They are less of a nuisance in our part of Canada than mosquitoes or blackflies but still can drive you indoors of an evening. Also, if lights are on after dusk, in the right conditions they fly right through window screens.

I remember sandflies in NZ and it seems they, too, are related.

Do you know anything about Avon "Skin So Soft" as a deterrent? As I said, it was much in evidence as such on the islands. Hebrides is where I first noticed it. I wish now I had asked the locals.