Gareth just walked the camino Frances during the COVID pandemic

[ivar]

 

[MickMac]

Fantastic interview Ivar well done really interesting.

 

[C clearly]

Very nice interview - engaging and positive!

 

[Gearóid]

I really enjoyed Gareth's interview ............I will be back....... Starting in Madrid and walking Salvador after 2 days on the Camino Frances to Leon ...... And then walking Primitivo from Oviedo I did this last year in Autumn but want the spring-time experience ...... sadly I had to cancel last May.......... 2021 ..... Thanks, Gareth for the great interview.

 

[MickMac]

Thanks Mick,

Today was a very pleasant walk through forests for the most part. Even the walk through the city was nice.

The final steps into the Cathedral square were quite emotional, but the journey only felt complete when I reached the pilgrims office and picked up the two certificates. These and the credential were like the bookends to the journey and my feelings are mixed. It was not about the destination, but now it is over.

It was very nice to meet Ivar and have a chat. Having someone to meet was welcome. Afterwards I had a short nap before going to the Cathedral.

The pilgrims mass had been relocated, and much of the building was covered in scaffolding both inside and out. I had the crypt to myself when I descended the steps and I said a prayer by the reliquary. It was a nice moment.

So my Taxi picks me up at 4am. I’ll probably see you tomorrow! Many thanks to all who followed and offered advice or a word of encouragement on the forum, and of course to you for being the shepherd. I’ll create an account and post something up once I have settled in at home.

 

[roamingpaddy]

Very good interview,well done and thank you.

 

[MickMac]

More....

 

[joanjf]

What a humble man Gareth is . Thank you Ivar for the interview. When ever I watch them I wish my brother had finished his camino. This year I am reliving his Camino in my journal to remember. Mic you did the Camino in 2013 by chance did you meet my brother. Agnelo Lobo.
He started on the 1st of September reached Triacastella on the 3 rd of October. It will be great to read your reflections Gareth after to have had the time to consolidate it in your mind. Lovely photos.

 

[Theatregal]

A wonderful interview Ivar, with valuable information and thoughts for the current times along the camino. Thank you to you and to Gareth.

 

[Locamente adicta]

Congratulations Ivar on your enlightening, informative and candid interview with Gareth.

 

[VNwalking]

Love it.
Thanks, Ivar - very well done.

And congratulations to Gareth - the photos you've been sending have been a joy to see, each day. @MickMac , thanks for being the guy in the middle.

 

[NualaOC]

Thanks Ivar and Gareth - that was a lovely start to my day.

And thanks @MickMac for involving us in Gareth's journey. I really enjoyed the photos and the daily updates. How lucky for us that Gareth's next door neighbour is a seasoned peregrino and forum member!

 

[MickMac]

What a humble man Gareth is . Thank you Ivar for the interview. When ever I watch them I wish my brother had finished his camino. This year I am reliving his Camino in my journal to remember. Mic you did the Camino in 2013 by chance did you meet my brother. Agnelo Lobo.
He started on the 1st of September reached Triacastella on the 3 rd of October. It will be great to read your reflections Gareth after to have had the time to consolidate it in your mind. Lovely photos.

Sorry Joan I walked in August 2013, it is truly sad that your brother Agnelo did not make it to Santiago.
As Gareth said it's the journey thats important and friends and comrades who shared our journey.
So remember all the good times that we have together and hopefully more to come.

Buen Camino

 

[Anne&Pat]

Thank you very much Ivar, Gareth and Mick. Great interview and Gareth your photos have been wonderful. Thank you Mick for posting them so regularly. Felt as if we were on the Camino, nearly!
Anne & Pat

 

[Graham O]

Thank you for posting this interview Ivar and thank you to Gareth for the information on the current situation. I am due to start my first Camino on the 3rd October from St Jean Pied du Port and the interview gave me optimism for the journey ahead.

 

[Deleted member 95762]

What an excellent interview. It was so encouraging to hear Gareth's experiences as we are due to begin 8 October 2020.

 

[IngridF]

NICE, I really enjoyed this! Ty you Gareth and Ivar

 

[Bala]

Another great interview! So refreshing to hear his upbeat, positive viewpoint. Thank you, Ivar.

 

[JennyH94]

Terrific interview Ivar and Gareth - Gareth, you painted a wonderful picture of how the Camino is presently, both through your words and your beautiful photos. Thanks too to Mick back at Base Camp for all the excellent work you did in sharing Gareth’s camino with us all on the Forum.
Cheers from Oz -
Jenny

 

[Mary Doll]

Great interview! I’m currently on Camino Frances and would echo everything Gareth said. I’ve been booking the day before and have done a combination of albergues and private rooms. My flight with EasyJet from Bristol to Biarritz was slightly busier than Gareth’s. We had 13 passengers. It’s the most relaxing flight I’ve ever had. So if anyone is worried about flying it’s not a problem. Masks had to be worn in airport and on plane and sanitiser was available all over the airport.

 

[Former member 95219]

Great interview and totally echo everything said. I did the CP from Lisbon to SDP in July and that was very straight forward and great but not many pilgrims. The CF (26 July to 20 August) was very easy, no issues at all with accommodation or bars/restaurants. To be honest I only decided to do it at a few days notice and as long as you had the booking app you were good. Decent number of people too from Spain, Italy, Germany, France and UK mainly so got the buzz off that. Everyone I met was so welcoming! I booked ahead most days but most people did not and never had any problems. Seems a decent mix of albergue and private accommodation. Walking in the tranquility felt the perfect and safest place to be after being in the suburbs of a major city for a few months!! Finished it off walking to Muxia and Fisterra.

Obviously things are very much subject to change due Covid and as we approach winter!

 

[Deleted member 95762]

Great interview and totally echo everything said. I did the CP from Lisbon to SDP in July and that was very straight forward and great but not many pilgrims. The CF (26 July to 20 August) was very easy, no issues at all with accommodation or bars/restaurants. To be honest I only decided to do it at a few days notice and as long as you had the booking app you were good. Decent number of people too from Spain, Italy, Germany, France and UK mainly so got the buzz off that. Everyone I met was so welcoming! I booked ahead most days but most people did not and never had any problems. Seems a decent mix of albergue and private accommodation. Walking in the tranquility felt the perfect and safest place to be after being in the suburbs of a major city for a few months!! Finished it off walking to Muxia and Fisterra.

Obviously things are very much subject to change due Covid and as we approach winter!

Which booking app were you using? We begin on 8 October 2020

 

[Former member 95219]

Booking.com

 

[SabsP]

Which booking app were you using? We begin on 8 October 2020

May I suggest that you try to phone the hostales and pensiones directly?

In these dire economical times I can imagine the small business owners suffer the most. They certainly can do without the middlemen of BookingDotcom and the likes. The percentage of the profit that they have to give up is appalling.
On a Camino I only use such a bookingsite for the first night when I arrive in a big city. Otherwise I call the places directly.

Gronze website is an excellent help.

El Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

Bienvenido a Gronze, tu Guía del Camino de Santiago: Información práctica, actualizada y participativa de los principales Caminos de Santiago.

www.gronze.com

 

[Deleted member 95762]

May I suggest that you try to phone the hostales and pensiones directly?

In these dire economical times I can imagine the small business owners suffer the most. They certainly can do without the middlemen of BookingDotcom and the likes. The percentage of the profit that they have to give up is appalling.
On a Camino I only use such a bookingsite for the first night when I arrive in a big city. Otherwise I call the places directly.

Gronze website is an excellent help.

El Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

Bienvenido a Gronze, tu Guía del Camino de Santiago: Información práctica, actualizada y participativa de los principales Caminos de Santiago.

www.gronze.com

I totally agree - I really dislike booking.com personally - and another thread recommended gronze.com so this will be our go to site. Many thanks for your reply

 

[PedroG]

Congratulations Gareth & thank you Ivar!

I am on the Camino Frances myself, now 11 days - at San Juan de Ortega and will be in Burgos tomorrow.

The Frances is definitely open, albeit with reduced albergues in operation, and many precautions/ restrictions yet pilgrims seem welcome.

People are generally being helpful. Ultreia!

PedroG

 

[irishwalker]

A lovely interview Gareth.Many thanks to both you and Ivar. I have been in Santiago 12 times, walking and cycling, first going in 2004. I have been walking different caminos every year since I retired in 2010. I intended walking the Meseta this year, but I had to cancel due to Covid. I am hoping to be able to go again!
Like your friend who has been on the camino many times, I hope that you make it back with your daughter. My son came with me 5 times to complete sections. Memorable experiences

 

[donalomahony]

Thanks Ivar and Gareth, just watched interview in full.

To live is to change...

Challenging...

Possible...

Thanks for the possibilities...