Anyone walking now???

[tillyjones]

Life is shaping up that my next opportunity to Camino will be next year Dec/Jan.

I would love to hear first hand from someone doing it, what it is actually like on the Way over the Christmas season. (I know there's many posts about it but would love some real time commentary)

If you're out, where are you and how are you finding food and accommodation? And perhaps a comment on the weather. And/or are you posting anywhere that I can follow along?

TIA

 

[Gumba]

They are a number of us out her at the moment, some day we see a dozen people sometimes 5 or 6. A bit of drizzle here and there and some days are a bit windy but generally the weather is beautiful and sunny, I am getting tan lines on my hands and side of my face! Kids are walkibg in t shirts some days. Cold in the shade or when you slow down. Temps usually in the minus when we get up. Cafes are a bit of hit and miss, some days we get our coffee fix some days we don't. No problems so far with food. It's important to contact the next day's albergue to make sure they are open and food is available (either bars or supermarkets). We carry a stash of pasta, instant soup and biscuits for 'just in case.' Of course, weather will probably be very different for you. Who knows. So far albergue have been toasty warm. We are about a third of the way in. Would be happy to recommend some great alburgues to date. Burn camino

 

[tillyjones]

They are a number of us out her at the moment, some day we see a dozen people sometimes 5 or 6. A bit of drizzle here and there and some days are a bit windy but generally the weather is beautiful and sunny, I am getting tan lines on my hands and side of my face! Kids are walkibg in t shirts some days. Cold in the shade or when you slow down. Temps usually in the minus when we get up. Cafes are a bit of hit and miss, some days we get our coffee fix some days we don't. No problems so far with food. It's important to contact the next day's albergue to make sure they are open and food is available (either bars or supermarkets). We carry a stash of pasta, instant soup and biscuits for 'just in case.' Of course, weather will probably be very different for you. Who knows. So far albergue have been toasty warm. We are about a third of the way in. Would be happy to recommend some great alburgues to date. Burn camino

Thanks! What route are you on? You've not had trouble getting accommodations then?

 

[Gumba]

None so far. We are using aprinca.com for accom. On the Camino Frances.

Have a look at winter walk in posts by empath. She is a legend with her information on winter walking

 

[Gumba]

mspath

 

[domigee]

None so far. We are using aprinca.com for accom. On the Camino Frances.

Have a look at winter walk in posts by empath. She is a legend with her information on winter walking

@mspath is a legend, full stop An inspiration to us all.

 

[Viajero33]

I started on the Via Serrana in Gibraltar the 16th of December and connected with the Via de la Plata in Seville the day after Christmas. I was told there would be a lot of rain (which perhaps is typical), but apart from 3 consecutive days of rain early on I would say the weather down in the south has been ideal for hiking. It IS chilly early in the morning, but by noon the sun is warm (60's F.) and I'm usually plodding along in my t-shirt. Today was the first day I saw frost in the early morning, and I'm sure it will get colder as I move further north.

Accomodation was sparse/unavailable/expensive on certain segments of the Via Serrana (not all of it), but has been INexpensive and plentiful on VdlP so far, which is about what I expected. One of the municipal albergues was closed, but there were cheap alternatives.

I was surprised to find myself with about six other pilgrims a couple of nights ago in Castilblanco de los Arroyos. That might have something to do with people having time off for the holidays, I'm not really sure... I had thought for sure I'd be nearly alone until much further north.

Via de la Plata has so far been very enjoyable in December, I'll have to see how things go throughout January.

 

[tillyjones]

I started on the Via Serrana in Gibraltar the 16th of December and connected with the Via de la Plata in Seville the day after Christmas. I was told there would be a lot of rain (which perhaps is typical), but apart from 3 consecutive days of rain early on I would say the weather down in the south has been ideal for hiking. It IS chilly early in the morning, but by noon the sun is warm (60's F.) and I'm usually plodding along in my t-shirt. Today was the first day I saw frost in the early morning, and I'm sure it will get colder as I move further north.

Accomodation was sparse/unavailable/expensive on certain segments of the Via Serrana (not all of it), but has been INexpensive and plentiful on VdlP so far, which is about what I expected. One of the municipal albergues was closed, but there were cheap alternatives.

I was surprised to find myself with about six other pilgrims a couple of nights ago in Castilblanco de los Arroyos. That might have something to do with people having time off for the holidays, I'm not really sure... I had thought for sure I'd be nearly alone until much further north.

Via de la Plata has so far been very enjoyable in December, I'll have to see how things go throughout January.

Thank you. Buen Camino!

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

@mspath is a legend, full stop An inspiration to us all.

Walking Camino Wikipedia. So glad she is here !

 

[Eugene Carroll]

Yo peeps, via de la plata in the sunshine. Cold in the morning/evening and beautiful during the day. Staying in a top place in Castilblanco. I must have died and gone to heaven (even though I have been a very bad boy). Peace and love.

 

[Eugene Carroll]

Another amazing and beautiful day walking from Castilblanco to Almadén de la Plata. A razor blue sky and a forest nature park as companions.
Three kings celebrations this evening and the town is buzzing with very happy children.
Let me know if I am boring you.

 

[Heather1]

Eugene, thanks for posting. Was your first stop from Seville Guillena or Castilblanco de Arroyo’s? I am planning to begin on the 9th of February and wondering about whether things are closed up in certain towns for Winter. Thank you!

 

[Eugene Carroll]

Heather, you will not have a problem finding good places to sleep and eat on the VdlP.
For what it’s worth... I arrived in Seville late morning on 2nd January. I took a local bus to Santiponce(M170) as I didn’t want to walk through the industrial estates. From there it’s about 12km to Guillena and the excellent Albergue La Luz run by Pilar.
Next day to Castilblanco and the Casa Salvadore.
Following day to Almadén de la Plata where I slept in the Albergue Municipal.
This evening I am in Real de la Jara staying in the Alojimento del Peregrino
I have never had any problems getting a decent (usually excellent) food.
Off course I have no idea about your walking plans which could be very different from mine.
Heather, No doubt you will have a great Camino.

 

[Eugene Carroll]

And, off course let me know if there’s anything else that can help with to make your Camino on the VdlP even better.

 

[alipilgrim]

Hi Eugene,

I’m considering walking the VdlP in March and am curious to learn how you go on yours. Would you consider keeping us updated, perhaps on a new thread that can be filed under the VdlP Forum?

 

[Eugene Carroll]

Hi Alipilgrim, off course I am very happy to share events on the VdlP. However... I will probably get to Merida or Caceres on this Camino. Then back home for my beautiful granddaughter’s first birthday, my ugly brother’s 75th birthday and the horse races at Cheltenham.
I plan to continue the VdlP at the end of April with friends/pilgrims from Korea.
You will be especially privileged should you walk in March as the Spring season moves north with you as you walk each day. I can’t think of anything that equals that experience in nature.
If there’s something specific you need to know about the Via de la Plata please let me know and I will try to give you an answer.

 

[Heather1]

Heather, you will not have a problem finding good places to sleep and eat on the VdlP.
For what it’s worth... I arrived in Seville late morning on 2nd January. I took a local bus to Santiponce(M170) as I didn’t want to walk through the industrial estates. From there it’s about 12km to Guillena and the excellent Albergue La Luz run by Pilar.
Next day to Castilblanco and the Casa Salvadore.
Following day to Almadén de la Plata where I slept in the Albergue Municipal.
This evening I am in Real de la Jara staying in the Alojimento del Peregrino
I have never had any problems getting a decent (usually excellent) food.
Off course I have no idea about your walking plans which could be very different from mine.
Heather, No doubt you will have a great Camino.

Thanks for the response, Eugene. Your entries area great help to me. I have a 2020 guide book (Gerald Kelly) and reading through it. It provides a lot of detail, but the format is so jammed with detail, have a hard time ke it all straight. Elevation charts in the front, mileages throughout, then a large scale maps, a few city maps. I wish there was a simple folded weather proof map of the entire Via de Plata available. Are you using a book or an app to navigate?

 

[Eugene Carroll]

Hi there Heather, reporting to you from the Via de la Plata. Well, call me old fashioned, Basically, I follow the route markers on the Camino track. I use Mundicamino’s website for distance and basic info on accommodation. Gronze is good for details on Albergues although it’s in Spanish. I ask locally for good places to eat and use the Turismo office when they are open.
Tonight I am staying in Fuente de Cantos. Last night in Monisterio. No problems with accommodation and had a fantastic meal experience in Monisterio. The weather remains perfect for walking.
I often overthink the housekeeping of Camino when I should be concentrating on my Pilgrimage (however you define that)

 

[Eugene Carroll]

Off course if you have a specific concern that I can assist with while I am walking...just let me know.