End September 2024 - first time Camino

[Westmalle]

So, after having received some advice here on forum, the decision is Camino Ingles, end of September. I am average fit, right now walk around 10km daily, but not in the hills.
My SO will be joining me, he's quite fit, but still I don't want to rush, so will break the classic stages into more doable (for me) ones.
We'll be searching for private rooms and good wi-fi connections in these locations will be required.
This is my initial idea, but meanwhile I was reading about Ingles, I understood that day 3 ise the toughest.
I decided to make a day 4 bit shorter after day 3 climb up.
But the breakdown between day 3 and 6 does not really convince me.
I would love to stop at Betanzos (already seen it and liked a lot), but what I read is that Minò is a nice town as well.
So questionmarks on days 3-6 based also on the fact that we'll be going for private rooms..

	Tappa	Km
1​	Ferrol - Neda	13,77​
2​	Neda - Pontedeume	14,65​
3​	Pontedeume - Betanzos	19,62​
4​	Betanzos - Presedo	11,3​
5​	Presedo - O Outeiro	22,42​
6​	O Outeiro - Sigueiro	14,46​
7​	Sigueiro - SdC	15,84​

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

From memory Presedo is tiny, just the Albergue ( 1 large room, 12/14 beds) and a bar around a km away. You might want to consider staying two nights in either Bentanzos or O Outerieo and taxiing to and fro.

 

[Westmalle]

As for now I don't really like the idea of taxing back and forth, but I may consider it if I don't find suitable solutions.
Any other way to break Betanzos - Sigueiro in 3 days with a some lodging options?

 

[ChristelMarcAntwerp22]

Hi Westmalle, good beer
maybe you can check this website they suggest shorter stages:

O Camiño Inglés SLOW - Camino Inglés

O Camiño Inglés SLOW Percorre o Camiño Inglés en etapas máis curtas. O importante é desfrutar de cada quilómetro do Camiño, ao teu ritmo. Scroll Propoñemos un xeito de percorrer o Camiño Inglés tranquilo, Slow, completando cada etapa do Camiño gozando máis do contorno e das vilas ao seu paso en...

www.caminoingles.gal

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Sorry, @Westmalle, for some reason I hadn't seen your question. I can't think of one however perhaps the answer lies in @ChristelMarcAntwerp22 response above. Good luck!

 

[Westmalle]

Hi Westmalle, good beer
maybe you can check this website they suggest shorter stages:

O Camiño Inglés SLOW - Camino Inglés

O Camiño Inglés SLOW Percorre o Camiño Inglés en etapas máis curtas. O importante é desfrutar de cada quilómetro do Camiño, ao teu ritmo. Scroll Propoñemos un xeito de percorrer o Camiño Inglés tranquilo, Slow, completando cada etapa do Camiño gozando máis do contorno e das vilas ao seu paso en...

www.caminoingles.gal

Very interesting website. I think I will follow this division. Thanks for help.
PS: my fave beer

 

[Westmalle]

For those booking in advance: when should I start lodging booking if I am walking end of September?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I think for April this year I booked about six weeks before. And that was for the week of semana Santa which is super busy. That was including the private albergue at Bruma ( beware, sometimes a large group can book that entire albergue regardless of the time of year), the rest were just cheap hotels. Near Bruma there is the also the ( not cheap) hotel.

I guess it depends a little on:
-are there any major public holidays at the time you wish to walk?
- the standard you're looking for
- how many options there are in the places you intend to stop.

You could always list everything out now and try booking three months out if you are very fixed on your dates?

Most people just walk and book one or two days ahead ( if at all) and are absolutely fine.

 

[Westmalle]

Here I am back.
Ingles confirmed 3-11 October, booked tickets into La Coruna and back from Santiago.
Booked first night in Ferrol and last in Santiago, all in the middle to be defined. Will make "slow" Camino, also skipping Bruma.
New Salomon shoes are being weared for daily walks, trying different types of socks as well.
Ferrino backpack waiting for its turn.
Now...I'll be sending luggage forward, so daily backpacker. Thus not very much limited to the weight and amount of clothes to bring with me and probably no need to wash them every day.
I would like to avoid spending a fortune on technical clothes which I do not have.

I would certainly buy:
- packpack cover (are basic Decathlon ones enough or shall I spend on it)?
- something that protects me from rain. What would you advise? Something that breathes? Something long? I have no idea what I might need to protect myself from rain in October. I am located in Europe, so no access to REI shops..

 

[Pafayac]

I would certainly buy:
- packpack cover (are basic Decathlon ones enough or shall I spend on it)?
- something that protects me from rain. What would you advise? Something that breathes? Something long? I have no idea what I might need to protect myself from rain in October. I am located in Europe, so no access to REI shops..

Have you considered a rain cape (or a poncho) which protects both you and your backpack from rain ?

 

[Westmalle]

So, I finished my first Camino.
Ingles was a good choice to start with as it gave me a short insight of how camino life is.
It rained a lot, storm Kirk passed by as well, but it was all managable. No blisters, no back pain from backpack. Day 3 Pontedeume - Betanzos is quite demanding, especially in the rain. I wish I've had more time to visit the towns and villages, but rain slows down everything.
Some lessons learned and I do not exclude that I will walk another Camino again.
10 October 19.30 Piligrim Mass with Botafumiero! That was a nice conclusion!