Nancy walker
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- First time starting 22nd Sept 16 from St Jean Pied
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Here are a few links that will give you lots of information on where to stay.Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
You might want to order the guidebook published by the Confraternity of St. James also. It gives the basics including how many beds there are in the albergues. www.csj.org.uk/Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
Great reading, thanks! I leave in a few weeks myself.Lots of good info above in relation to your queries.
This may give you a taste of whats in store.
Part 1
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...the-mountain-part-1-st-jean-to-orisson.23398/
Part 2
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...untain-…part-2-orisson-to-roncesvalles.23525/
Good travelling & Buen Camino
Gerard
I was there last night and was impressed. Yes, it is large, but very well run. The beds are in "pods" of two bunk beds, and each bed has a locker. The showers there are fantastic, and laundry is wonderful with a centrifuge to spin dry clothes before hanging get out the line. Or you can have your clothing washed, dried, and folded. The only negative was the meals, especially after the exemplary dinner at Orisson.Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
Thanks so much for sharing the account of your first 2 days Gerard - brilliant writing! I head off in about 20 days, not nearly as trained up as I'd hoped and day 2 scaring the me silly! But after reading your story, I'm feeling much more at ease about it. Thanks again!Lots of good info above in relation to your queries.
This may give you a taste of what's in store.
Part 1
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...the-mountain-part-1-st-jean-to-orisson.23398/
Part 2
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...untain-…part-2-orisson-to-roncesvalles.23525/
Good travelling & Buen Camino
Gerard
Please do not worry at all. The gite in roncevalles has 400 beds and all the facilitied for washing , eating and sleeplingHello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
Hi Nancy,Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
Nancy, one thing to note: your first day's walk to Orisson is not very long but it is quite steep. I recommend that you take your time, walk slowly and take a few breaks along the way. There's a nice opportunity for coffee at the gite at Hontas (sp?) When you stop, take off your pack and, if you're like me, take off your boots and socks. Moist feet = bad; dry feet = good! Be gentle with your feet if you haven't hardened them in training. Treat any hot spots as soon as you feel them with some moleskin or similar adhesive tape. There used to be a saying in the navy: "Outward bound, don't run aground" In other words, don't wreck yourself on the first day! The second day, from Orisson, will still be a significant climb but mostly at a gentler slope. On the downhill section you will cross a road not too far down from the ridge line. Here is the place on Google Streetview:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.0256...hcUl1fHZ4fBQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1?hl=en
You can continue down the marked camino which leads steeply down through the woods or turn right and take the slightly longer (maybe an extra kilometer or so) route along the road. The road is quite a bit gentler in slope, with surer footing and has some nice scenic views. You will likely find, at least at the start of your camino, that steep downhill can be just as challenging as the uphill bits. It can be very hard on knees and toes (head and shoulders too!). If it has been raining, the walk in the woods can also be quite slippery and muddy. But, as they say, "It's all good!" You will likely be well ahead of the major herd starting in SJPP so, even if you are a slow walker, you should be one of the early arrivals in Roncesvalles. There will be no problem at all in finding a bed. Once you've got your bed sorted, organize yourself into one of the supper sittings at one of the restaurants as others have mentioned above and then go shopping at the discarded items table. The Dutch crew at the albergue will take good care of you.....suggest you learn how to say "thank-you" in Dutch!
You are walking at a great time of the year, you have a good plan and you should have a marvellous experience. ¡Buen Camino!
Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
Remember these names, Joan, Bill, Rachele and Chad ... we will be traveling right along with you from SJPP on the 22nd and a stop at Orisson and then the next day to Roncevalles if you don't mind
Excellent, accurate advice!!!!!Dont worry!Go with the flow! You are going to love this!!!Nancy, I walked the Camino from St. Jean to Santiago last September. Apart from my reservations in Bayonne, France, and Madrid, Spain, I had no reservations on the entire route. Roncesvalles is expecting you. They have been expecting Pilgrims for over a thousand years. They have a lot of beds. I slept in the overflow area in a "shipping container" with an Estonian, Dane, American from Georgia, and 4 Spaniards because the main dorm in the monastery was full. We became good friends and we crossed paths many times during the next month. If you arrive at Roncesvalles before I did, 5:30 pm, you will have a better chance of getting a bed in the Monastery. With regard to dinner. I ate with a lovely group of new friends in the posh-looking restaurant in the Monastery at a bargain price, no reservations required. We walked over to La Posada to get a drink and learned that they had a marvelous dinner available over there too. I don't know of anyone who did not get a bed or a meal that night. A lot of this journey you are undertaking is based on faith and trust. If you approach each day with a completely open mind, without conditions, and open your heart to making friends, I would trust you will be taken care of, as I was. Even the one night I did sleep out, because the only albergue was full, it was in the fine company of an Englishman and 3 Scots on the porch of the Dutch Albergue in Monjardin. We were well taken care of, even outside, and allowed to use all the other facilities. Have a marvelous Pilgrimage, if that is your plan, or a marvelous long hike, if religion is not a priority.
Nancy, Will be starting one day ahead of you. I am sure we will meet on the way.Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
You will be able to access the ocean in Finnesterre, but if your bus goes to the lighthouse with a pinched nerve it is a very steep & far decent to the ocean.Asothers have said, reservations are the least of concerns. I started my first Camino last week on Aug 24/16. I survived the first 10 km out of SJPP and had to stay at Orrison. You will love it there. Orrison is placed in Heaven and run by angels.
Two major concerns for anyone doing any Camino.
1) if you think your pack is not heavy, you are likely wrong.
2) Conditioning - Walking 10 k a week or even a day at home may not prepare a person for the first day's climb of close to 800 m in 10 km. It may also not prepare one for the descent to Roncesvalles. After the final climb from Orrison, about 600 m, the descent us about 700 or 800 m.
Few live in areas where they can truly work on the strengths that will be called upon on the Camino.
Finally, the most honest, and for some, the scariest reality of the Camino is it will find any weakness, physical or mental.
After only three days, my left leg has developed a pinched nerve and I can no longer walk. My Camino is over. I took buses from Zubiri to Santiago overnight and am writing from the Hotel Capital Galicia, resting before I take my Mother's ashes to Fisterra tomorrow and place them in the sea. That was the purpose of my Camino. Tomorrow it will be completed.
My husband and I are leaving SJPdP Sept. 19, staying at Orisson that night. I made reservations about six months ago, and it did take them a few days to get back to me. I was sent an invoice and used PayPal to pay the required deposit. I appreciate all the encouraging words I hear on this forum from veteran pilgrims. Thank you all for sharing the lessons you learned. It is possible that we may see some of you leaving around the same time we are. Our plan is 38 days, two rest days included. Since we are doing other traveling we are having one bag shipped to Santiago, and one transported from town to town with us. Glad that these services exist.
Hi Catherine, I'm also setting off on Sept. 19 and staying at Orisson that night. See you there!My husband and I are leaving SJPdP Sept. 19, staying at Orisson that night.
Hi Nancy
Steve and I leave on the 20th and have some of the same novice worry
In fact, I have a question for you regarding booking Orisson. Did you do this via their website? How long did it take to get a reply? I understand they take a while, but getting a little nervous after a couple of days as I don't think we will be fit enough (dodgy knees) to go from SJPdP to Roncesvalles in one go.
Buen Camino, and maybe see you along The Way.
Julie
Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
dear Mooncat hola, I too am setting out for the first time and plan to go, free in complete faith and trust I shall be taken care of .. your words nevertheless, are balm to my heart.. very inspiring, reassuring, thank youNancy, I walked the Camino from St. Jean to Santiago last September. Apart from my reservations in Bayonne, France, and Madrid, Spain, I had no reservations on the entire route. Roncesvalles is expecting you. They have been expecting Pilgrims for over a thousand years. They have a lot of beds. I slept in the overflow area in a "shipping container" with an Estonian, Dane, American from Georgia, and 4 Spaniards because the main dorm in the monastery was full. We became good friends and we crossed paths many times during the next month. If you arrive at Roncesvalles before I did, 5:30 pm, you will have a better chance of getting a bed in the Monastery. With regard to dinner. I ate with a lovely group of new friends in the posh-looking restaurant in the Monastery at a bargain price, no reservations required. We walked over to La Posada to get a drink and learned that they had a marvelous dinner available over there too. I don't know of anyone who did not get a bed or a meal that night. A lot of this journey you are undertaking is based on faith and trust. If you approach each day with a completely open mind, without conditions, and open your heart to making friends, I would trust you will be taken care of, as I was. Even the one night I did sleep out, because the only albergue was full, it was in the fine company of an Englishman and 3 Scots on the porch of the Dutch Albergue in Monjardin. We were well taken care of, even outside, and allowed to use all the other facilities. Have a marvelous Pilgrimage, if that is your plan, or a marvelous long hike, if religion is not a priority.
dear Mooncat hola, I too am setting out for the first time and plan to go, free in complete faith and trust I shall be taken care of .. your words nevertheless, are balm to my heart.. very inspiring, reassuring, thank you
Hello, Yes I booked via their website... they were a bit slow to get back to me.... say a few weeks or so... I guess they're very busy!
The dinner at Orisson and at Corazon Puro the night before spoiled me for food on the Camino. The dinner at Roncesvalles was a bit disappointing to say the least.The albergue in Ronces is enormous and a bit chilly. Bring earplugs if snoring keeps you awake and an eye-mask if you can't sleep with lights on (they don't turn the emergency beams off). It was the most expensive albergue I stayed in during my Camino, which is a little absurd given the conditions, but it's well worth it to spend a night with virtually every single pilgrim you met on the mountain!
My complaint about the conditions is more a result of having walked the Le Puy route through France beforehand... Those French B&Bs spoiled me big time!
Buen Camino
Asothers have said, reservations are the least of concerns. I started my first Camino last week on Aug 24/16. I survived the first 10 km out of SJPP and had to stay at Orrison. You will love it there. Orrison is placed in Heaven and run by angels.
Two major concerns for anyone doing any Camino.
1) if you think your pack is not heavy, you are likely wrong.
2) Conditioning - Walking 10 k a week or even a day at home may not prepare a person for the first day's climb of close to 800 m in 10 km. It may also not prepare one for the descent to Roncesvalles. After the final climb from Orrison, about 600 m, the descent us about 700 or 800 m.
Few live in areas where they can truly work on the strengths that will be called upon on the Camino.
Finally, the most honest, and for some, the scariest reality of the Camino is it will find any weakness, physical or mental.
After only three days, my left leg has developed a pinched nerve and I can no longer walk. My Camino is over. I took buses from Zubiri to Santiago overnight and am writing from the Hotel Capital Galicia, resting before I take my Mother's ashes to Fisterra tomorrow and place them in the sea. That was the purpose of my Camino. Tomorrow it will be completed.
The monastery was a little of a worrysome and unknown for me, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
This was what I had thought the Albergue would be like, but am I missing something? There aren't 2 albergues, but where I was was very different. We were on the the ground floor, not far from the chapel--a room with a bunch of old bunk beds. I was repeatedly awakened in the night by a jet-lagged Korean peregrino who had the bunk above mine--he kept going out for a smoke. Certainly no luxurious pods as in your photo, Ted. (It was early March, so perhaps the new area was not yet open for the year?)The beds are in "pods" of two bunk beds, and each bed has a locker.
I believe there is an old building, used now for overflow. Maybe you were put there, for some reason?This was what I had thought the Albergue would be like, but am I missing something?
@trecile:The dinner at Orisson and at Corazon Puro the night before spoiled me for food on the Camino. The dinner at Roncesvalles was a bit disappointing to say the least.
I also ate at La Posada. Depending on what time you wanted dinner you were given a ticket for La Posada or the other restaurant. As I said, the food at Orisson and Corazon Puro really spoiled me. I loved dining with the other pilgrims, but we all felt that the food was a bit disappointing.@trecile:
I stayed at Roncesvalles, but I did not eat my evening meal in the restaurant for which the reception desk there was selling tickets. I had an excellent evening meal at La Posada restaurant, a few minutes walk away from the Roncesvalles albergue. I went over there after I had checked in at reception and put in my order for dinner. I ate at a large round table with the other pilgrims who had booked dinner there. It was an inexpensive menu peregrino, but very tasty and good company. I understand that the restaurant for which tickets are sold at reception is associated with the albergue. You do have to buy a breakfast ticket for there at reception, because pilgrims have to vacate the albergue by 8:00 am and breakfast is not served at La Posada until 9:00. There are long line-ups for breakfast and you may have to wait outside in the rain, as I did, and leave your pack out in the rain. If I go through there again, I may look for breakfast later in one of the villages along the route.
Actually everything at Roncesvalles, the restaurants, the albergue, the bars depends and is connected to the Collegiata (roughly translated the monastery set-up of Roncesvalles). Roncesvalles is not a village in the classic sense but an ancient monastery with, from it dependent, services and outbuildings. Buen Camino, SY... I understand that the restaurant for which tickets are sold at reception is associated with the albergue. ...
@mspath, thank you for this link--it has a lot of information!
Here is a modern print depicting Charlemagne mounted finding Roland dead in August 778 on what would later be known as the Valcarlos route near Roncevalles. (For a further description of this scene see this Roncevalles monastery history page) Hence the village of Valcarlos was named in honor of Carlos ie. Charlemagne. For more on the history and toponymy of the village see this Wikipedia entry in Spanish.
It may come as a surprise but the Valcarlos route was THE original medieval pilgrims' path through the mountain pass to Roncevalles; the present Napoleon camino over the mountains to Roncevalles is later.
Well, it was early in the year and so I suspect the main hostel was not yet open. Where we were was definitely 'aged!'I believe there is an old building, used now for overflow. Maybe you were put there, for some reason?
No, no! "Seasoned" or "experienced".Where we were was definitely 'aged!'
Snap. 16th too and also walking on to Burguete, where are you hoping to stay there?... i am in the week before you 16thSept and there seems to be something going on that weekend as all the hotels have been booked for months .... I have decided to walk 2km onto Burguete and booked only a few days ago.
There are a couple of places you can book in Roncesvalles. We didn't and stayed in the monastery Albergue last night.Hello,
I'm due to start my camino from SJPP on 22nd September. I'm staying a night at Orisson.... Then into Roncesvalles.
I'm worrying, probably unnecessary.... but where do you sleep in Roncesvalles?! And do I need to book a meal there or something? Don't want to come down off the mountain exhausted and find I can't get a meal and some sleep!
This is just one of my camino worries! Pre camino nerves methinks... I'm mainly worried that I'm unfit and and going to be too exhausted to function.
Saying that, I can't wait to set off ;-)
Nancy
In 2014 three of us bypassed Roncesvalles and walked the few extra kilometers to Burguete. We split a room at the Hostal Burguete. Known for being where Ernest Hemingway stayed back in the day. It was nice. Basic, clean and nice.Snap. 16th too and also walking on to Burguete, where are you hoping to stay there?
Just the advice I was looking for! I was hoping to stay in the off- Brierley recommended stops/stages but worried that from Orisson where we will overnight, to Espinal the next day, might be too ambitious. After reading this, I will keep my reservation and walk on the extra 6km towards a quiet Casa Rural and hopefully good meal.Hello Nancy,
If you are starting the day in Orisson, don't be surprised if upon arriving in Roncesvalles, you will feel like walking more! I can recommend a nice family run private albergue about 6 km from Roncesvalles in a pretty Basque village of ESPINAL (Aurizberri), where I stayed once, and I believe the homemade food they served for supper was much better than what I could get in Roncesvalles on another occasion.
The link to albergue webpage: Albergue Irugoienea
The link to Eroski webpage (in Spanish): Albergue Irugoienea
Once you are down in Roncesvalles, and feel like walking more, you can call them and reserve the bed (I believe the daughter of the owner speaks English). But I don't think that at the end of September it is necessary to book. For me it was a great experience to stay the first night in Spain in a nice Basque house with a few other pilgrims, rather than with the crowds in Roncesvalles.
This way or another - Buen Camino!
Sorry not sure how fit you are but I had the same goal and after getting up the mountain I was happy to stop. You’ll probably be able to walk on but Roncesvalles is a good contingency plan.Just the advice I was looking for! I was hoping to stay in the off- Brierley recommended stops/stages but worried that from Orisson where we will overnight, to Espinal the next day, might be too ambitious. After reading this, I will keep my reservation and walk on the extra 6km towards a quiet Casa Rural and hopefully good meal.
Message received. Thank you. I understand they also provide transfers back for mass. Will consider if we opt to walk on and know we can come back. Might also be a good way to "slowly come back to my catholic roots"Unfortunately if you do not stop at Roncesvalles you will miss the evening pilgrim blessing.
Roncesvalles monastery itself has been welcoming pilgrims since the eleventh century. Do plan to attend the evening mass in the ancient Romanesque church and the traditional pilgrimage blessing; this is a meaningful and poignant way to begin your camino journey.
Buen Camino!
Agreed, and I'm worried the extra Kms may be too much. Have been trying to book a double room at the Roncevalles Hotel but they are slow to reply to emails. Looking forward to the Albergue experience, just not sure starting out in a room with 183 other pilgrims is the way I want to begin. In my head, that voice is saying "don't over-think it"Sorry not sure how fit you are but I had the same goal and after getting up the mountain I was happy to stop. You’ll probably be able to walk on but Roncesvalles is a good contingency plan.
Buen camino
Agreed, and I'm worried the extra Kms may be too much. Have been trying to book a double room at the Roncevalles Hotel but they are slow to reply to emails. Looking forward to the Albergue experience, just not sure starting out in a room with 183 other pilgrims is the way I want to begin. In my head, that voice is saying "don't over-think it"
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