Peter_S_Aus

A friend walked the Camino from St Jean PdP to Santiago a month ago.

www.wherescate.net was her blog, and her Camino was very profound for her.

The Camino is on our list of things to do in a year or so.

Brierly's book is worth getting, maybe not worth carrying.

Buen Camino!

Momddtravel2

book marking

Barb

Great responses, thank you all. Julia, it will be so good to see you again and catch up on our lives and things. My biggest concern will be keeping my feet healthy. I've read so many suggestions on how to do that from putting vaseline on them every day, to types of socks and liners v no liners. One thing I'm noticing with my practice walks and breaking in my boots is that my feet sweat. I'm wondering if it's because the boots are GTX, or is it the socks - REI Light Hiking. Haven't been wearing liners. They say wet feet breeds friction and thus blisters. Have to work on that one.

I'm also looking for a really lightweight day pack that I might tuck into backpack just in case I decide to have the transport service take my backpack on to next stop. Maybe I should just wait until I get there?

I realize the first two days will be the hardest as they will be the longest days, and looks like some steep inclines/declines those days, but I purposely made the next few days shorter that's why we are stopping at Lestedo instead of Palais Rey and then Melide instead of walking further as suggested in Brierly's guidebook. Well, to be perfectly honest here, it was mostly so I could stay in Melide and partake in as much pulpo as I can get and yes, at Pulperia Ezequiel!!

As much as I hate tearing up a good book, we will just take the pages from Brierly's book as applies to our walk.

Peter, thanks for the link, I'll take a peek.

Trying to find a water bottle that can be attached to front of my backpack strap so it will be really easy to get to. The side pockets require twisting around and with a full pack might be hard to get in and out.

My other concern is that DIL walks much faster than I do. I've told her to go ahead and we will just meet up at the next stop, but she keeps saying, that's ok, I will walk slower, but I want her to enjoy her walk and not to feel that I am holding her back. I think she's a little nervous about being on her own and getting lost and not speaking Spanish. This will be her first trip to Europe and she's a little apprehensive. I think once we are there, we will both find our own pace and it will all work out. I think I just have to keep emphasizing this with her. We will both have phones so we won't be out of touch. Plus, sounds like that stretch of the Way is pretty populated nowadays.

Has anyone had any experience with any of the hotels we've booked? I think for one night, we can pretty much get by with whatever, but it would be great if they were nice.

sofarsogood

Everyone has their own tips for foot care so experiment to see what works best for you.

Better than vaseline is this http://www.compeed.co.uk/compeed-foo...-blister-stick It's a "non-greasy" grease to rub on pressure points. Not sure if you can get in the US but its available in Spain. It really helps prevent blisters. The compeed blister patches are much better than moleskin.

Also I used these insoles www.superfeet.com/products/Green.aspx to support my feet in my boots. Your feet will sweat - yes probably the GTX.

For socks, one thick, two thin or one of each? Keep trying different combinations to see what you prefer. I used these tinyurl.com/ond22d3 which are a liner and outer all in one.

Can you use a hydration pack with your backpack? I found it much easier to constantly sip from a drinking tube rather than a bottle.

And yes do encourage your DIL to walk ahead if you have two different walking paces. It can be frustrating for a quick walker to walk slowly. Everyone finds their own rhythm, plus it can be easier to meet more people walking solo, rather than being joined at the hip.

No experience with the hotels - used the albergues. The only hotel was in Santiago where I was bitten by bed bugs!

sofarsogood

Forgot about the daypack...

for a very lightweight day pack I took this www.seatosummit.com/products/display/86 It scrunches down into pocket sized - really cool.

emdee

Last year I was in Camino mode like you.
What a wonderful adventure for you to look forward.
The first two days played havoc with my big toes and both nails pushed in causing blisters at the bottom of the nail. Took them almost 5 months to heal so yes its all about the feet.

We stayed in the Rectoral in Lestedo. Lovely place with beautiful views at the back.
Another thumbs up for the Pulperia Ezequiel.
I think we may have also stayed in Casa Theodora but couldnt swear to it.I did do a trip report with the names of the hotels we used so you can check there. We had it all done by Nativa travel and the arrangements were spectacular.

julia_t

If you need or want me to try to get hold of the compeed stuff for you, I am more than happy to post it to you.

You can pay me back in wine! lol

cruiseluv

Barb,

Yes, I have the same shoes and the waterproofing unfortunately make them warmer, they dont breathe as well, but I found in the end it was not a big problem. I bought liners and ended just using the socks without the liner. On my feet I used a lubricant called "Sportslick". Dont recall who recommended it. As I mentioned, I did get one blister which I cured and no more problems.

Of your segments the one that has the worst incline is going down into Portomarin and then going up on the way out. But its not horrible, just take your time. Your hiking pole will become your best friend!

Tell your DIL not to worry, just to follow the yellow arrows, its almost impossible to get lost. I walked by myself most of the time because my family walks faster than me( frankly, I loved the solitude)

Barb

sofarsogood, I love all of your suggestions. The Ultra-Sil looks perfect! When I bought my boots I almost bought the superfeet insoles, but decided to wait and see how the boots felt without them. I might just get them. I have some Compeed blister pads that I bought last year in Lisbon, but probably should get a few more, plus the blister-stick. Eeks, bed bugs!! How did you treat them and did the little buggers get into your stuff? Big fear of that happening.

From the diagram in Brierly's book, it looks like it is a bit of a climb shortly after leaving Sarria? From youtube videos, it looks like it is rolling type hills all the way to Santiago? Not too worried about gradual ascents/descents. Other than into and out of Portomarin, are there more steep grades?

emdee, good to know about the Rectoral. I actually got the idea for our walking itinerary from www.peregrineadventures.com Seemed perfect for us.

cruiseluv, I will reassure DIL again that it will be almost impossible to get lost. She is a very independent person, so I have a feeling once we get there and she can see for herself what it's like, she will be just fine walking at her own pace. She will probably prefer it.

Thanks again, you guys are the best!

Julia, that is very sweet of you to offer to post compeed stuff. I might just have enough time when we are transferring at LHR to run into Boots and grab what we need, or in Sarria the day we arrive there.

LHS

Every morning when I go for my walk, "for my camino" is one surefire self-encouragement.

I just bought boots, also Merrel Moab, http://www.rei.com/product/747206/me...g-boots-womens

Looking forward to reading about your journey.
Buen camino!

lincasanova

Tell your DIL there are little villages along the way.. cafés with outdoor terraces where the trail passes right in front. Also there are markers on the path with km numbers.

Like mentioned.. she wil not get lost and there will be plenty of people who speak English walking and in the towns.
This will be such a memorable trip.

I'll be going to the states in August if there is anything from here ( compeed stick, etc.) I can get you and send it to you, I'd be happy to do so.

november_moon

Buen Camino!!! We are walking next year in celebration of my 40th birthday We have a little more time than you, so we are planning to walk from Leon - I wish we could walk farther, but such is life, we take what we can get. We've started our training and started thinking about what we will take. Since you guys are going to stay in hotels, you can leave off some bulky items like sleeping bags, which will make your load lighter and smaller. That's definitely a point in favor of hotels

Barb

I looked at those Moab boots, LHS. They look great, but they are not waterproof and because we are going in Oct possible rain and wet conditions made me decide on GTX.

lincasanova, I will definitely let DIL know about the villages along the Way and how she does not have to be concerned about not speaking Spanish, although we are both listening to Pimsleur cds, hoping to at least know a few of the basics. How very kind of you to offer to send me things. Where in the States are you visiting?

november - I am hoping to get the weight in my backpack at around 8- 10 lbs. Believe me, it will be bare minimums.

sofarsogood

Bedbugs - heard stories about people having to boil wash clothes or chuck their sleeping bags. I think the reason I got bitten was because I slept "au naturel" in the hotel bed, rather than in my usual silk sleeping bag liner, and awoke with a line of bites on my leg. It's the straight line of bites that's the giveaway, rather than just any old insect bite.

Don't get paranoid just take precautions. Wherever you stay, be it hotels or albergues, don't scatter your clothes across the room. My stuff was kept in stuff sacs so they acted as barrier. Thankfully they didn't get into my clothes and the bites faded after a few days - didn't need lotions or potions!

lincasanova

arizona, colorado, chicago and cincinnati

Barb

Thanks for the info re bed bugs - egads, it makes me itch just thinking about it. Can you spot them by looking on the mattress? Maybe we should do a BB inspection before we hop into bed.

Lin, sounds like a great trip. Thanks again for the offer, but I'm hoping we can pick up what we need once we get there.

brizzieLizzie

Being a first time poster , I am a little nervous about saying too much or not enough.

But having come across this forum when preparing for my own Camino last year ( and followed many other topics with interest since) here goes:

I will try not to repeat all the good advice given but based on my experience of walking from Sarria to Santiago late June 2012, I am sure you will have a memorable ,if exhausting time.

I was not fit and only used to walking about 5 kms a day . However due to time factors we had a couple of long days ( over 26km) which I don't recommend. So your schedule looks good to me , particularly the overnighting in Melide.

Originally I was walking alone but my 25 yo daughter thought I needed company. Best decision I made. We became much closer and I would not have made it without her.

I wore Merrill' Siren Sports and she wore her Ascic runners.. We wore Katmandu 'cool max' socks ( not sure the US equivalent but most hiking shops would have some) and no liners. We put vaseline on our feet everyday and also preemptive Compede blister pads( can be bought throughout Europe)
DD had no problems. I got one blister as I didn't stop to tighten laces when they loosed( perhaps weight also contributed)
We also rubbed Voltaren Gel on our leg muscles morning and night- seemed to help. As did walking poles although I was a novice with these as well.

We stayed at hotels- no bedbugs or air conditioning and didn't open for early starts.

We carried our packs for the first two days. Weighed about 5 kg but felt like 10 at the end of the day so then we shipped on for 3 euro each . great value. While we saw many carry packs we saw more without.

DD carried small day pack with food, water , camera and ponchos. I tied jacket round my waist .
As mentioned, there are plenty of small villages and Cafes en route where your DIL can sit and wait.

We used John Brierlys book of maps which was compact and provided sufficient info on the route, accommodation, Cafes etc.

Happy to answer any questions

Buen Camino

sofarsogood

Bed Bugs <<Can you spot them by looking on the mattress?>> I didn't see any signs, but apparently they look like lentils and black spots on a mattress could be a sign of their poo! http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bed-bug...roduction.aspx So a quick look wouldn't be remiss. But don't worry, in all likelihood you won't have any problems.

Had a look at your hotel in Santiago, which is at no. 17. The place I stayed, Pension Casa Felisa, is just a few doors away at no. 5. Get a room at the back of building for some great views and sunsets.

There's great restaurant down the street on the left www.bierzoenxebre.es

And another foot tip, before I overload you with information, consider taking walking sandals, or at least sandals you can walk in. After walking 4 hours in hot sweaty shoes/boots it can be great to walk for a couple of hours in just sandals, to let your feet breathe. Plus you can wear them in the evenings.

lincasanova

For me, I would only be carrying a huge pack if I had no idea where I was going to sleep and was "winging it".

cruiseluv

Agree with Sofarsogood recommendation of the Bierzo Enxebre restaurant. The garden restaurant at Casa Felisa is also good and lovely to sit at if weather cooperates.
Yes,our rooms at the Costa Vella faced the back and views were indeed lovely. It also makes for more quiet because if facing the street could be loud at times.