Walking "The Way" in mid May-June 2015...El Camino de Santiago a mediados de Mayo-Junio del 2015

[Mercy619]

My sister and I are planning on walking the El Camino in mid May-June 2015, starting in SJPDP (CF). We would like to know if its true that at this time of the year it tends to get really noisy, crowded and full of young people. We have heard horror stories of pilgrims having to rush to find a bed. We want to take it slow, enjoy the walk, meet people and not worry about securing a place. We are doing this walk for religious/spiritual reason. We have about 7 weeks, but would like to visit Garabandal and Lourdes, if time allows. We will be traveling from San Diego, California.

Mi hermana y yo planeamos recorrer El Camino de Santiago en SJPDP (CF). Estamos super ansiosas de empezar, nuestra salida sera el 11 de Mayo del 2015. Nuestra salida es de San Diego, California a Paris. Tenemos muchas preguntas ya que esta es nuestra primera vez haciendo El Camino. Hemos oido y leido historias horribles de como los peregrinos tienen que caminar rapidamente para asegurar una cama en un albergue y como muchos se han quedado sin lugar y tienen que caminar aun mas lejos. Quisieramos saber de peregrinos que han hecho este camino a mediados de Mayo a Junio, para que nos digan sus experiencias y talvez si es cierto que estos meses son tan populares, cambiar a otro mes mas calmado. No tenem0s prisa y tenemos 8 semanas, lo unico es que no queremos andar apuradas preocupadas si vamos encontrar albergue o no. Queremos pasarnola mas calmadamente, observando las iglesias, los munumentos y gozar de la la naturaleza que Espania nos ofrese. Si hay tiempo nos gustaria pasar por Garabandal y Lourdes, solo si el tiempo lo permite. Estamos haciendo este peregrinage con motivos religiosos/espirituales.

Buen Camino!

 

[tpmchugh]

I did not walk at that time of year but as best as I can here is my advice. I met an old Spanish pilgrim in Carion de los Condes who had completed three caminos all in the height of summer and he gave me this advice. Start around 6:30am, walk for around 6 hours then stop at next albergue even if you have arrived before opening time. Not once did he have any problems getting a bed. Later that day I spotted a slogan on a wall that echoed what he had said 'Walk With The Sun Till Ur Shadow Disappears'. I followed this advice and never had any problems and unashamedly I mention that I used the same slogan as a title for my book. It was always enjoyable to sit at a roadside bar having secured a bed and watch the late comers arrive. As far as noisy is concerned, it was not a problem at the other end of the summer. Some bars and cafés after Sarria did tend to be more crowded and hence a rise in the decibel level but never annoying or uncomfortable. I would imagine however in mid May it should still be quiet enough at least I hope so. I am starting Mid April but as I am not the fastest walker in the world I will probably still be walking well into May

Buen Camino

 

[Mercy619]

I did not walk at that time of year but as best as I can here is my advice. I met an old Spanish pilgrim in Carion de los Condes who had completed three caminos all in the height of summer and he gave me this advice. Start around 6:30am, walk for around 6 hours then stop at next albergue even if you have arrived before opening time. Not once did he have any problems getting a bed. Later that day I spotted a slogan on a wall that echoed what he had said 'Walk With The Sun Till Ur Shadow Disappears'. I followed this advice and never had any problems and unashamedly I mention that I used the same slogan as a title for my book. It was always enjoyable to sit at a roadside bar having secured a bed and watch the late comers arrive. As far as noisy is concerned, it was not a problem at the other end of the summer. Some bars and cafés after Sarria did tend to be more crowded and hence a rise in the decibel level but never annoying or uncomfortable. I would imagine however in mid May it should still be quiet enough at least I hope so. I am starting Mid April but as I am not the fastest walker in the world I will probably still be walking well into May

Buen Camino

Thank you so much tpmchugh for your response!... We were contemplating maybe changing dates, but after thinking about it and with the advise you gave us, we have decided to start in Mid May and we will "Walk With The Sun Till Ur Shadow Disappears"...I guess I'm just a bit nervous and want to know everything that could go wrong before embarking in this adventure! We will be walking slow too since we are not in a hurry!

Any advice on which albergues (hostels) to stay away from and which ones you really liked?

Wow, congrats on your book and may this book bring you many more blessings!

Buen Camino Amigo!

 

[tpmchugh]

Dont worry in advance about what could go wrong, take each day as it comes and enjoy. You ask about albergues, none that I stayed in were a bad experience. One in Uterga, the Camino del Perdon. was excellent. For a little extra you could have a lovely dinner and a good breakfast. Time for breakfast decided by the pilgrims. In Melide as you enter town there is an albergue to the right of the trail. It does not appear to be mentioned in a lot of guide books but is worth stopping at. Upstairs is a hostel if you want a private room, downstairs is an albergue. During the summer the bar/restaurant on the ground floor serves food but when I was there it was beer only. A very nice Pulperia a short walk up the street if you like octopus. Then in Ligonde, there is Fuenta del Peregrino, look them up on facebook, which is an old converted barn. Not much room to move about in the bedroom but the welcome is as good as you will get anywhere. A dinner with the usual wine but unusually after dinner liqueurs then a great breakfast for the princely sum of €0 yes zero. You may leave a donation if you wish and of course we all did. Its a religious group so there is a prayer meeting in the afternoon and a movie about the life of Jesus with popcorn. I could go on all night about great albergues but I wont, just go find your own favourites, there are tons to choose from. Finally thanks for the comment on the book. It started as a simple task of typing up my daily journal and developed from there. The main purpose is to have a convenient way to pass my story on to my children and grandchildren one of whom has already read it and she is only ten. I said that if I could sell one to family, one to a friend and one to a stranger then it would be a success to me. It has been a success

Buen Camino, I will think about you as you start as I am coming to the end

 

[JLC]

I'm flying to Spain from Miami on May 13, I will stay in Barcelona a couple of night to go around the city. Is anyone starting by May 18? Most people will start the first week of May. I want to stay in barcelona 14 and 15, then train to pamplona de 16 and if posible I'm planning to take the bus to SJPDP the same day. If everything goes as plan I suppose to be on the road by the 17 or 18!

 

[Mercy619]

Hi JLC, our plan is to arrive around May 11th-13th in Madrid then spending the night there and leaving to SJPDP the next day! Hope to meet you somewhere in the Camino. It seems like we are arriving about the same time.

Buen Camino compañero!

 

[DowtyCamino]

We began May 25th and walked through to Finestera on July 1st. Not once did we arrive to find Albergue's full. Once they were "technically" full, but made room for us. Once the place we'd called ahead to reserve (the only time other than a hotel in Santiago that we did this) because we were walking an especially long day, had given away our spot. They felt very bad about the mix up and escorted us around until we found a place to stay. On one occassion the refugio we wanted to stay in was full but other albergue's were available.
I'd heard the "horror" stories as well and worried about it for awhile. Those who've watched our documentary (Youtube - search for "dowtycamino", or also available on this forum) know that early on I pushed things. Undoubtedly one of the things in my mind was the desire to ensure a spot at an Albergue. This worry had added an unnecessary and unfounded burden to our trip.
Please take the advice of others here and relax and allow the Camino take care of you. It will. You've left yourself plenty of time and will have the opportunity to take things as they come. Do so, and you will have a great pilgrimage.

Mark and Allison

 

[DowtyCamino]

Regarding favorites - the Refugio in LaFaba was on the top of our list as was LaFuente Perigrino in Ligonde.
LaFaba had a vegitarian dinner. We aren't vegitarians, but the did crave something different at that point - and the food was awesome.
La Fuente was run by CRU - which was amazing. We were loved there like no other place on the Camino - and that's saying something.

 

[Dermot Casey]

My sister and I are planning on walking the El Camino in mid May-June 2015, starting in SJPDP (CF). We would like to know if its true that at this time of the year it tends to get really noisy, crowded and full of young people. We have heard horror stories of pilgrims having to rush to find a bed. We want to take it slow, enjoy the walk, meet people and not worry about securing a place. We are doing this walk for religious/spiritual reason. We have about 7 weeks, but would like to visit Garabandal and Lourdes, if time allows. We will be traveling from San Diego, California.

Mi hermana y yo planeamos recorrer El Camino de Santiago en SJPDP (CF). Estamos super ansiosas de empezar, nuestra salida sera el 11 de Mayo del 2015. Nuestra salida es de San Diego, California a Paris. Tenemos muchas preguntas ya que esta es nuestra primera vez haciendo El Camino. Hemos oido y leido historias horribles de como los peregrinos tienen que caminar rapidamente para asegurar una cama en un albergue y como muchos se han quedado sin lugar y tienen que caminar aun mas lejos. Quisieramos saber de peregrinos que han hecho este camino a mediados de Mayo a Junio, para que nos digan sus experiencias y talvez si es cierto que estos meses son tan populares, cambiar a otro mes mas calmado. No tenem0s prisa y tenemos 8 semanas, lo unico es que no queremos andar apuradas preocupadas si vamos encontrar albergue o no. Queremos pasarnola mas calmadamente, observando las iglesias, los munumentos y gozar de la la naturaleza que Espania nos ofrese. Si hay tiempo nos gustaria pasar por Garabandal y Lourdes, solo si el tiempo lo permite. Estamos haciendo este peregrinage con motivos religiosos/espirituales.

Buen Camino!

That sounds very cool, my wife and I are leaving SJPP carrying an 8ft cross so if you see us come and say hello and perhaps can pry together. Don't worry about beds and walk in faith we have always found somewhere to lay our heads. My wife and I will probably be the slowest on the trail and hence last in the hostel, but we know the Lord will provide. Buen Camino Dermot and Jane

 

[Kathy F.]

I walked the CF at that time of year. I walked solo and kept a steady pace. I usually started walking at about 0700, one of the last people to get out of the albergue, but it was quiet and uncrowded when I would leave. I never had any trouble finding a bed in the 40 days I walked. I walked slowly but nevertheless did about 20 - 25 km per day. I always stopped for an adventure. I only called ahead twice, one day towards the end when I was going especially slow and it was quite hot, the other the last day to secure a place in Santiago when I arrived. Other than that, I just let the Camino provide.

 

[Chris White]

I hope it's not busy and loud! My wife and I are going the same time from Australia - hopefully starting from SJPDP on May 10th. If we walk slowly, we may just meet you.

 

[Al the optimist]

I have walked the Frances twice starting around the 10th of May. It wasn't crowded and I had no trouble finding a place in an albergue. As there are two of you it opens up the opportunity for private rooms if necessary as the cost for the room is often little different from two albergue beds. So I really wouldn't worry about this. Yes after Sarria it gets busier but not that bad. By then you will be into your Caminos and have learnt how to tolerate others anyway.

 

[Mercy619]

I have walked the Frances twice starting around the 10th of May. It wasn't crowded and I had no trouble finding a place in an albergue. As there are two of you it opens up the opportunity for private rooms if necessary as the cost for the room is often little different from two albergue beds. So I really wouldn't worry about this. Yes after Sarria it gets busier but not that bad. By then you will be into your Caminos and have learnt how to tolerate others anyway.

Thank you Al the Optimist for your awnser, I feel a bit more relax knowing that it doesn't get as bad as other people say!

 

[Mercy619]

I hope it's not busy and loud! My wife and I are going the same time from Australia - hopefully starting from SJPDP on May 10th. If we walk slowly, we may just meet you.

Hopefully we will get to met you guys somewhere in El Camino, we should all stay in touch via this blog so we can share moments and keep in touch as where we are! Best of luck to you Chris and to your wife.

Burn Camino

 

[Mercy619]

I walked the CF at that time of year. I walked solo and kept a steady pace. I usually started walking at about 0700, one of the last people to get out of the albergue, but it was quiet and uncrowded when I would leave. I never had any trouble finding a bed in the 40 days I walked. I walked slowly but nevertheless did about 20 - 25 km per day. I always stopped for an adventure. I only called ahead twice, one day towards the end when I was going especially slow and it was quite hot, the other the last day to secure a place in Santiago when I arrived. Other than that, I just let the Camino provide.

Thank you FooteK for your advice, it's greatly appreciated! We are planning to go slow since we would love to explore the surroundings, plus we are not in the best of shape!

 

[Mercy619]

Dont worry in advance about what could go wrong, take each day as it comes and enjoy. You ask about albergues, none that I stayed in were a bad experience. One in Uterga, the Camino del Perdon. was excellent. For a little extra you could have a lovely dinner and a good breakfast. Time for breakfast decided by the pilgrims. In Melide as you enter town there is an albergue to the right of the trail. It does not appear to be mentioned in a lot of guide books but is worth stopping at. Upstairs is a hostel if you want a private room, downstairs is an albergue. During the summer the bar/restaurant on the ground floor serves food but when I was there it was beer only. A very nice Pulperia a short walk up the street if you like octopus. Then in Ligonde, there is Fuenta del Peregrino, look them up on facebook, which is an old converted barn. Not much room to move about in the bedroom but the welcome is as good as you will get anywhere. A dinner with the usual wine but unusually after dinner liqueurs then a great breakfast for the princely sum of €0 yes zero. You may leave a donation if you wish and of course we all did. Its a religious group so there is a prayer meeting in the afternoon and a movie about the life of Jesus with popcorn. I could go on all night about great albergues but I wont, just go find your own favourites, there are tons to choose from. Finally thanks for the comment on the book. It started as a simple task of typing up my daily journal and developed from there. The main purpose is to have a convenient way to pass my story on to my children and grandchildren one of whom has already read it and she is only ten. I said that if I could sell one to family, one to a friend and one to a stranger then it would be a success to me. It has been a success

Buen Camino, I will think about you as you start as I am coming to the end

Thanks for your great advice and for sharing your knowledge!

 

[Mark Lee]

Don't sweat those terrible "young people" you may see on the Camino. Their cheerful enthusiasm offsets the brooding, serious faced older pilgrims.

 

[tpmchugh]

Don't sweat those terrible "young people" you may see on the Camino. Their cheerful enthusiasm offsets the brooding, serious faced older pilgrims.

In defence of the older young people, look at my avatar, I am smiling!!!! Before that first day was over I was nearly crying but never serious lol

 

[Bobby]

Mercy 619, my husband and I leave May 15 from SJPP ,our first Camino. Hope to meet up.

 

[Mercy619]

Don't sweat those terrible "young people" you may see on the Camino. Their cheerful enthusiasm offsets the brooding, serious faced older pilgrims.

Jajaja, right Mark Lee! I'm trying to get away from those youngsters, been around them for too long! Jajaja.... (Not true, I'm joking) I enjoy been around all ages, I just want to find peace, joy and the answer to my questions!.... WHAT DOSEN'T KILLS YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER!

Love your quote: "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"

Gracias!

 

[Mercy619]

Mercy 619, my husband and I leave May 15 from SJPP ,our first Camino. Hope to meet up.

Bobby, it would be a pleasure to meet up with you and your husband! Where are you guys coming from? Are you guys all ready? Have you guys trained?...Jajaja, I have so many questions right!? I just feel my sister and I are the only people not prepared!...Hope to keep in touch with you guys!

Buen Camino

Mercy

 

[Mercy619]

That sounds very cool, my wife and I are leaving SJPP carrying an 8ft cross so if you see us come and say hello and perhaps can pry together. Don't worry about beds and walk in faith we have always found somewhere to lay our heads. My wife and I will probably be the slowest on the trail and hence last in the hostel, but we know the Lord will provide. Buen Camino Dermot and Jane

Dermot, for sure if I see you guys I will come your way and introduce ourselves! Pray? Of course, that is one thing for sure I will be doing every day!. The first item I packed was my Rosary! I do worry because I convinced my sister to come with me and I would not like for her to regret it, I'm positive she won't but I'm just like that! Philippians 4:6-7, came to my mind! One more issue I have to let go, I WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING.

Buen Camino

Mercy

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Mi hermana y yo planeamos recorrer El Camino de Santiago en SJPDP (CF). Estamos super ansiosas de empezar, nuestra salida sera el 11 de Mayo del 2015. Nuestra salida es de San Diego, California a Paris. Tenemos muchas preguntas ya que esta es nuestra primera vez haciendo El Camino. Hemos oido y leido historias horribles de como los peregrinos tienen que caminar rapidamente para asegurar una cama en un albergue y como muchos se han quedado sin lugar y tienen que caminar aun mas lejos. Quisieramos saber de peregrinos que han hecho este camino a mediados de Mayo a Junio, para que nos digan sus experiencias y talvez si es cierto que estos meses son tan populares, cambiar a otro mes mas calmado. No tenem0s prisa y tenemos 8 semanas, lo unico es que no queremos andar apuradas preocupadas si vamos encontrar albergue o no. Queremos pasarnola mas calmadamente, observando las iglesias, los munumentos y gozar de la la naturaleza que Espania nos ofrese. Si hay tiempo nos gustaria pasar por Garabandal y Lourdes, solo si el tiempo lo permite. Estamos haciendo este peregrinage con motivos religiosos/espirituales.

Buen Camino!

Ojo con la parte gallega en cuanto a alojamiento; sobre todo sitios como O Cebreiro y Sarria... Puede que queráis excepcionalmente reservar alguna cama ya que los albergues y hostales (e incluso hoteles) se pueden llenar por esas fechas. En cuanto a los chavales jóvenes, suelen ser muy amables y respetuosos, a veces más que algunos peregrinos adultos. De todas maneras, es en julio y agosto cuando se ven más adolescentes y universitarios en el Camino (vacaciones).

Suerte y Buen Camino!

 

[lisa hermansson]

hey i am also heading to the el camino tomorrow, going from sweden, spending one night in bayonne and starting hopefully on tuesday 19 of may. maybe we'll meet eachother!

 

[Dermot Casey]

Hi Lisa that sounds great, it would be good to walk and talk together. Have a Buen Camino our fellow pilgrim

 

[Chris White]

Mercy 619 - where are you now? I'm in Navarette tonight

 

[Dermot Casey]

Mercy 619 - where are you now? I'm in Navarette tonight

Mercy we set out from the UK tomorrow morning and arrive in SJPP early evening tomorrow ready to start walking on Thursday morning. We are hoping to go over the Napoleon Pass with the cross and we should arrive in Roncevalles early evening (God willing). Look out for us as you won't be able to miss us. D