JacquelineD
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances September 2019
Hi Everyone
I know lots of people before me have completed a Camino but I just wanted to let you all know how I got on.
I've been wanting to do my Camino for about 7 years and never had the courage to actually book flights and do it solo.
For some reason one night I looked at flight times. Then checked train times from home to airport and it all fit. So I booked the flights and train tickets.
Then it was accommodation. Luggage transfer, (I know) but as we all say it is our own personal pilgrimage and this was what I was comfortable with.
I only booked 2 weeks before and a hundred times or more I thought I cant do this alone. But my daughter who suffers from anxiety had just travelled 4 weeks around Australia and Bali.....so if she could do it. I could!
So here goes:-
Flight from stansted Ryanair to Santiago went smoothly. Had about an hour to wait at the airport for the bus to Lugo. Great - no rushing so I could keep calm! Outside the airport are 2 machines 1 for local bus 1 for the bus to Lugo. Very easy to use, has english language and paid by card. €8.75. By the time the bus arrived a group of people appeared from the Dublin flight and i was lucky enough to get chatting to a lovely young girl from Dublin who was also going to Sarria. Bus journey was almost 2 hrs. It was late arriving at airport so by the time we arrived in Lugo the last bus to Sarria had gone. We got a taxi. €40. But we were tired and that was the only option.
Accommodation are so used to pilgrims and have credentials etc there for you and your first stamp! How exciting. I was quite relaxed and slept well.
Next morning up early. Breakfast and set off. Signs were clearly visible and my start was up some very steep steps. I met my friend further along and off we set.
I needn't have worried. Theres so many signs, all clear, the only chance you would get lost is if you're not paying attention. Plus there were a lot of people walking this route. Not so many as to be annoying as in some places you could walk for some way alone.
I walked 2 days with my friend and 2 days completely alone and I loved walking alone although as I say there were people around so you're completely safe. Everyone is so friendly.
My last day I left my accommodation in Pedrouzo very early. 6.45am. We had heard the day before that the Pilgrims Office ran out of tickets at 11am. Which was true. I was flying out of santiago the next day and I wanted my Compostela. Not everything to everyone but it was to me.
It was pitch black and pouring with rain and I thought oh heck! As I was about to give up as I got to the end of the town and couldn't see a sign; out of nowhere appeared an Angel. Alessandra who lives in Barcelona. We walked together with the torch from my phone (i know......well equipped!) In the rain and the pitch black and how we were thankful for each other. No need to worry as within 10 minutes more pilgrims started to emerge onto the way.
That last hike was long. Not hard. We were wet. Tired. Aching and eager to get there so it made it long. But we made it by 11.10am got our ticket and went to collapse in a cafe.
I am so glad i did it. I'm a firm believer in what is meant to be etc. And it was time for me to do my Camino. We had to wait until 4.30pm when our number came up to get our Compostela and the tickets ran out at 2pm that day.
Here's a few pointers or tips regarding shoes, socks, etc.
The first 2 days I wore shorts and a gym vest. It was hot. The other 3 days I layered up with dry wicking vests and t shirts and leggings. I carried my daily essentials and sent my bag on via Camino facil who were fabulous. Always take a waterproof jacket with you!
I wore trainers (sneakers) which were fine apart from the last day when of course it poured and my feet got wet but they soon dried out.
I didnt get any blisters.
I wore Isocool trainer socks then a lightweight merino sock over the top. I had trainers that were 1 1/2 sizes bigger than my usual shoes
I didnt use poles the 1st day but on arrival at Portomarin I bought some and was so glad I did. They powered me up some of those hills and also helped massively going down hills. I am relatively fit. Go to the gym. Spin. Have a road bike. But walking 20k or more per day you do feel it. And flying home you check them in for free.
There are lots of cafes along the way to stop. Enjoying the atmosphere and take time out. Sometimes I would stop in a forest and just soak it all up. The last leg there are only 2 cafes. We stopped at the 15k cafe for coffee and I'm glad we did.
When we arrived in Santiago and had had some food coffee and water and had got our ticket we went to the Cathedral. The square was buzzing with so many pilgrims. The sun had come out. There was happiness everywhere. And so we sat on the floor against a pillar at the back so we were facing the majestic Cathedral and we watched all these Pilgrims from all over the world. Celebrating their Camino. Meeting up with friends they had made along The Way. Taking selfies. Taking photos. Smiling. Resting. Relaxing. We were asked to take photos for Pilgrims. We saw a proposal.....and the whole crowd cheered and applauded. How wonderful. It was such a joyous time and we actually sat there for 2 hours! I think more because we couldn't actually move!
I will never forget my time walking the Camino. I loved it all. Even the dark. The rain. The aches. The lack of sleep due to other people's snoring! It was such a special thing for me to do. An achievement. And yes I got my Compostela.
Already I'm looking at other Caminos. Like everyone else has said before me....once you've walked a Camino it wont be your last.
I hope this has helped anyone who is undecided or just needed to know what socks to wear! These are the things that bothered me. With a little planning it is achievable. And honestly, if I can do it, mum of 4, Nanny of 1 and 56 years old who's never done a solo trip, then you can and you wont regret it. I sincerely mean this; it is absolutely the best thing I have ever done for myself and by myself.
Buen Camino
I know lots of people before me have completed a Camino but I just wanted to let you all know how I got on.
I've been wanting to do my Camino for about 7 years and never had the courage to actually book flights and do it solo.
For some reason one night I looked at flight times. Then checked train times from home to airport and it all fit. So I booked the flights and train tickets.
Then it was accommodation. Luggage transfer, (I know) but as we all say it is our own personal pilgrimage and this was what I was comfortable with.
I only booked 2 weeks before and a hundred times or more I thought I cant do this alone. But my daughter who suffers from anxiety had just travelled 4 weeks around Australia and Bali.....so if she could do it. I could!
So here goes:-
Flight from stansted Ryanair to Santiago went smoothly. Had about an hour to wait at the airport for the bus to Lugo. Great - no rushing so I could keep calm! Outside the airport are 2 machines 1 for local bus 1 for the bus to Lugo. Very easy to use, has english language and paid by card. €8.75. By the time the bus arrived a group of people appeared from the Dublin flight and i was lucky enough to get chatting to a lovely young girl from Dublin who was also going to Sarria. Bus journey was almost 2 hrs. It was late arriving at airport so by the time we arrived in Lugo the last bus to Sarria had gone. We got a taxi. €40. But we were tired and that was the only option.
Accommodation are so used to pilgrims and have credentials etc there for you and your first stamp! How exciting. I was quite relaxed and slept well.
Next morning up early. Breakfast and set off. Signs were clearly visible and my start was up some very steep steps. I met my friend further along and off we set.
I needn't have worried. Theres so many signs, all clear, the only chance you would get lost is if you're not paying attention. Plus there were a lot of people walking this route. Not so many as to be annoying as in some places you could walk for some way alone.
I walked 2 days with my friend and 2 days completely alone and I loved walking alone although as I say there were people around so you're completely safe. Everyone is so friendly.
My last day I left my accommodation in Pedrouzo very early. 6.45am. We had heard the day before that the Pilgrims Office ran out of tickets at 11am. Which was true. I was flying out of santiago the next day and I wanted my Compostela. Not everything to everyone but it was to me.
It was pitch black and pouring with rain and I thought oh heck! As I was about to give up as I got to the end of the town and couldn't see a sign; out of nowhere appeared an Angel. Alessandra who lives in Barcelona. We walked together with the torch from my phone (i know......well equipped!) In the rain and the pitch black and how we were thankful for each other. No need to worry as within 10 minutes more pilgrims started to emerge onto the way.
That last hike was long. Not hard. We were wet. Tired. Aching and eager to get there so it made it long. But we made it by 11.10am got our ticket and went to collapse in a cafe.
I am so glad i did it. I'm a firm believer in what is meant to be etc. And it was time for me to do my Camino. We had to wait until 4.30pm when our number came up to get our Compostela and the tickets ran out at 2pm that day.
Here's a few pointers or tips regarding shoes, socks, etc.
The first 2 days I wore shorts and a gym vest. It was hot. The other 3 days I layered up with dry wicking vests and t shirts and leggings. I carried my daily essentials and sent my bag on via Camino facil who were fabulous. Always take a waterproof jacket with you!
I wore trainers (sneakers) which were fine apart from the last day when of course it poured and my feet got wet but they soon dried out.
I didnt get any blisters.
I wore Isocool trainer socks then a lightweight merino sock over the top. I had trainers that were 1 1/2 sizes bigger than my usual shoes
I didnt use poles the 1st day but on arrival at Portomarin I bought some and was so glad I did. They powered me up some of those hills and also helped massively going down hills. I am relatively fit. Go to the gym. Spin. Have a road bike. But walking 20k or more per day you do feel it. And flying home you check them in for free.
There are lots of cafes along the way to stop. Enjoying the atmosphere and take time out. Sometimes I would stop in a forest and just soak it all up. The last leg there are only 2 cafes. We stopped at the 15k cafe for coffee and I'm glad we did.
When we arrived in Santiago and had had some food coffee and water and had got our ticket we went to the Cathedral. The square was buzzing with so many pilgrims. The sun had come out. There was happiness everywhere. And so we sat on the floor against a pillar at the back so we were facing the majestic Cathedral and we watched all these Pilgrims from all over the world. Celebrating their Camino. Meeting up with friends they had made along The Way. Taking selfies. Taking photos. Smiling. Resting. Relaxing. We were asked to take photos for Pilgrims. We saw a proposal.....and the whole crowd cheered and applauded. How wonderful. It was such a joyous time and we actually sat there for 2 hours! I think more because we couldn't actually move!
I will never forget my time walking the Camino. I loved it all. Even the dark. The rain. The aches. The lack of sleep due to other people's snoring! It was such a special thing for me to do. An achievement. And yes I got my Compostela.
Already I'm looking at other Caminos. Like everyone else has said before me....once you've walked a Camino it wont be your last.
I hope this has helped anyone who is undecided or just needed to know what socks to wear! These are the things that bothered me. With a little planning it is achievable. And honestly, if I can do it, mum of 4, Nanny of 1 and 56 years old who's never done a solo trip, then you can and you wont regret it. I sincerely mean this; it is absolutely the best thing I have ever done for myself and by myself.
Buen Camino
. I’m on a six year journey to complete the James Way (due to work commitments) and next year I go from Astorga to Sarria, then walking into Santiago in 2021. I travel every year on my own but I’m never alone and meet wonderful pilgrims every time. I’m a little older than you and a female solo Camino traveler. It’s an addiction that is hard to explain to those who haven’t done it. You’ve had a first wonderful experience, so I’d highly recommend you go to the start SJPP next time and if your time commitments only allow a trip a year then take it stage by stage. I envy those I meet walking the 800km in one go, but for me I’ll look 
back after my six year with an amazing sense if achievement and something to be proud of .... so do continue.
