Hi Rob, having walked parts of the Camino in the past, I can never recapture the absolute joyful innocence of the first walk. Had little idea what we were doing, very little expectation, just open hearts. As we age gracefully, have not given up the idea of a September Camino, trying not to over plan! Enjoy, cheers from the Riverland Au.
I agree, the first one is very special. Though I found my last one was close! Walking out of Sevilla across the Bridge, was a bit like "walking with my feet 10 feet off of Beale" (Cher song: Walking in Memphis)
I worried about everything before I left for Spain. I'd wake up in the middle of the night thinking "what am I doing"! "What was I thinking??" Later I did the Kumano Kodo in Japan which was very short but harder in many ways. Steeper and more dangerous with some narrow paths on the side of mountains. I loved it. Looking back the Camino Frances is pretty easy. Just some trying days due to weather or making some decisions on distance that weren't well considered due to eagerness or fatigue! 😅 the human body just adapts as long as you don't over do it and get injured. I did strength training and stair walking, plus the Blue Mountains Camino Supporter's 5 Day walk before I left and this helped enormously. I had a lot more confidence that I could do it. I also used your packing list with weight calculator ... still over packed!! 🤣
Hi Rob, thank you so much for this video. I saw you at Mount Vic Flicks on Tuesday. After ou offered to take my photo with Bill Bennett, I realised who you were. Great photo btw. Thank you so much for taking it. I loved the film The Way, My Way. Did you enjoy it?
The Camino Portuguese was our first walk and not even the whole thing, we started in Tui but then added Muxia to Finisterre at the end. All in all, a relatively easy walk, comfortable distances, good facilities and May-June had great weather last year. One thing i took seriously was to "not pack your fears." Don't remember where I first heard that, possibly here, but it is so true. And with stores in every town and village, it can always be bought on the way if it turns out to be really necessary. While detailed planning is not for everyone, we made sure to include rest days in places that promised to have interesting things to visit. Having the right equipment and practising with it before starting the Camino is very important. Find the pinch points and fix them before they develop into something serious.
I did my first Camino in May/June 2022. Didn't think I was going to make it during the first week. Broke it down into smaller tasks: one week at a time, one day at a time, 5 km at a time. I did 40 days with 3 rest days and 6 short days.
Hi would you be able to detail on how you broke down your walk from start to finish, schedule and places you stopped at . Planning to do my first camino in the summer.
@@isapelawatts-farmer7779 Spent the first night in Orrison, but didn't need to. Could have made it to Roncesvalles. Used a backpack transport service the first few days. Did rest days in Estella, Leon, and Sarria and stayed in hotels for those. Leon is a good city for a rest day. Thinking about going again this summer but doing about 35 days.
@@isapelawatts-farmer7779 You really need to walk your own Camino, not someone else's. I don't mean to sound harsh, but we are all very different. Age, fitness, motivation, purpose....... If you are walking the Camino Frances, which is a great first Camino, there are excellent facilities all along the way. So you can adjust your stages as you go to suit your preferences and inclination. By all means read blogs, watch videos and the like. This gives you a good idea for what the journey will be like, places you might want to stay and so on. This allows you then to make good choices along the way. For example, some people might walk the 800 kms from St Jean in 28 days. Some 50 days. I find 40 days works well for me for a variety of reasons........that suit me. Age, fitness, injuries, walking speed, etc etc. I always recommend booking the first few nights and then 'winging it' once you get used to your capabilities and preferences. For the Frances, I would book St Jean, Roncesvalles, Zubiri and maybe Pamplona. Then I would see how I felt in Pamplona and book one day ahead from there or not at all. Depending on accommodation types you prefer. For example, after Pamplona, I walk to Uterga. Most people go on to Puente La Reina. I like a shorter day and it allows me to go via Eunate the next day. It's all very personal and really only makes sense once you start walking those first 2-3 days........ These planning videos might help: There are a lot. Just scan through the play list. Feel free to ask questions. studio.th-cam.com/users/playlistPLSU4euF3n3H-xhlN8ynoPq4QQf9yemlJj/videos One factor a lot of first-time pilgrims forget, is meeting people!! You will meet great people on Day 1. And you might want to walk with them and stay with them........... Just let things unfold if you can. 🙂
Thank you for this very informative channel. Im very interested in doing the camino so in the stage of gathering information and planning for it. You have eased my worry that it is as hard as you want it to be. I like to see what's best to pack.
Glad you enjoy the channel. Here is a packing video. I have most topics on the channel. The search function will help you find them. th-cam.com/video/jWW7ihHr1vA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks Rob, always great advice and a calming voice. I'm starting to feel first timers nerves for my mid April start on the Frances. Hoping to get as far as I can from St. Jean with no real time limit. I'm in my late 50's and average fitness I think. I can carry a 9kg rucksack 10km or more on the coast roads and hills of Donegal. Thats my training anyway. Trying to do back to back 10km days. But try as I might I cant get the ruck lighter than about 8 to 9kg once I put in sleeping bag, 2 days of clothes, a puffy jacket, wet weather gear, meds, toiletries and usual electronics. Who'd of thought you could obsess about these things! lol Thanks for all your vids Rob.
LOL. 8-9 kg excluding water? Get ruthless! Lay all your gear out and seriously consider if you 'need' each item. But don't worry, whatever you don't use you'll end up ditching or sending home 🙂
Thanks for your wise counsel and sharing your experience. My Camino buddy now can't make the hike, so I'll be alone. I have two weeks and would like to complete the journey in Santiago. I like your idea of working up from 12k to 15k to 20k over a few days, then sticking around 20k for the rest of the trip. Where would you recommend I start my Camino, given 14 days and the work-up mileage system? Thanks for your ideas.
When do you plan to start? As you might want to research some of the different routes to see what suits you. The Frances is quite special but can be busy. The Sanabres provides more Solitude etc. But if you planned on walking 200-250 kms, that could give you start points such as: FRANCES. Astorga, Rabanal. SANABRES. Peubla de Sanabria, PORTUGUESE Porto. NORTE Ribadeo
@@robscamino Thanks very much! I'll be starting around May 11 on the Frances. I appreciate your suggestions! I'd love to walk the Portuguese Camino another time. This year I'll start by visiting friends near Lisbon before I begin and will travel from there to my starting point.
Astorga would be a good start point! Easy to get to, and you'll see the Cruz de Ferro. Day 1 will be easy to Rabanal, or you could go up to Foncebadon, but that gives you a bit of a climb at the end of the day. But do go easy on the way down to Molineseca! It will only be your first few days and it's a tough descent. Worth breaking it up, perhaps staying in El Acebo?
I have been following you now for about 2 years and I have to say this has been the most practical and encouraging video for me. I still wonder why I decided I was going to do the Camino (from St Jean to Santiago) - in my head I'm doing it as a form of thanksgiving for all the people who helped me battle (and overcome) cancer - but I tried to nail it down recently by booking my first night's albergue (at Borda). My query is about the mental side of things. Following my cancer journey, during which I retained an incredibly positive attitude, I then suffered "bounce back" - mild to strong depression leading to sleep deprivation . I have physically trained for the walking but wonder about the mental effort. Any thoughts..........anyone?
The physical part is easy, compared to the mental part. For me at least. And I find the physical part tough enough! We are all different. But if I could share some thoughts it would be these. (A) Don't set out with any expectations, about anything. How it will go, how you'll cope, nothing. Just relax and let things unfold. (B) If you want time alone, take it. just tell others you need to be alone today or whatever. But..... (C) Talk to other Pilgrims. Not just anyone. But strong bonds form very quickly with certain people you 'click' with. Don't be afraid to share how you feel. We all help each other along the way. (D) Accept that stuff will not always go to plan. No real plan is best! When SxxT happens, as it will, look for the silver lining. I always found one. It was like an unseen hand pulling me in a different direction, for some other purpose. Maybe there was someone I needed to meet, or someplace I need to see or stay at. (E) Some days you might feel like crap. And want to go home. Try not to give into that. The Pilgrimage is a challenge in many ways. On those days take things hour by hour, and celebrate your hourly progress and the environment around you. If you meet someone who seems a bit down, maybe try to lift their spirits. It will lift yours too. (F) Forget about how far you have to walk. Focus on how far you have already walked. My last Camino was 1200 kms. I never really even thought about how far I had to walk. It was too hard to get my head around. Though by about 150 kms from Santiago, it felt like I was finally coming home. (G). Be thankful. I have a ritual every day. I offer a prayer of thanks at the start and end of each day. Giving thanks for making it through another day and for the lessons I have learned along the way. BUT........... 95% of the time I am walking on air........just being their lifts my spirits! 🙂
This video might help. th-cam.com/video/1lqcpBiz5WM/w-d-xo.html But if you would like something more comprehensive, just about the mental challenges, let me know.
Español y castellano es equivalente. No existe español mexicano. Es español con acento mejicano. O colombiano o andaluz o catalán. Español latino🤔 de 22 países.? Inglés británico🤔? Inglés americano🤔? Inglés canadiense?. Inglés Nigeriano, etc etc 🤔???? Inglés .....? Hablan inglés .😊 Hablamos español😊
I haven't walked that route sadly. But it's very popular. One of the reasons I haven't walked it, is that I understand there is quite a bit of road walking, and my feet can't handle that. Maybe someone who has walked it could comment?
How long did you take? I have 6 weeks planned but worried I’m rushing still. When I do the math it looks overwhelming! I want rest days and days to explore. Wondering if I need to add more time?
I presume you mean the Frances Route from Saint Jean pied de Port? Yes, it can seem overwhelming at first! Tip. Just take it day by day or hour by hour. Forget the destination or how far it is. Focus on the next coffee break or something. 6 weeks (42 days). I walk very slowly and short days. I average about 20-25 kms / day. I walk the Frances in about 40-42 days. Most do it in about 33-38 I would guess. I don't rush, as I make sure I want to enjoy every step. My 40-42 days would generally include a couple of days off (rest days) and some shorter days here and there. 6 weeks should be plenty. If you can add a few more days, go ahead...... But 42 days is not rushing. THis is the main reason I suggest hat booking your whole Camino in advance can be a big mistake. Leave yourself some flexibility.......change your plans as you go. You might want to walk faster/slower, longer or shorter days. It takes a few days of walking before you start to understand your comfortable daily distances and speeds.
Hello, I am walking my first camino. Doing last 100k of norte. I have 3 days extra to sight see northern Spain after camino. Are private albergues are open to post pilgrims to stay in? Thank you
I don’t think it is good for immigrants to Australia to disrespect the people born here - I was born here and am not a ‘whale’. Please show more respect to the country that welcomed you and provided for you.😊
Moderate exercise doesn't actually burn that many calories. People who lose a lot of weight on the Camino most be A. Walking 40 km + per day, or B. Not eating much. 🙂 If you think that walking burns about 300 calories / hour and I walk for maybe 6 hours per day = That's 1800 calories all up. 3 glasses of wine and some bread with lunch will be 600 calories already. Doesn't take much to eat more than 1800 calories. OK there are other calorie burning stuff going on for the other 18 hours a day..... but the point is, if you eat well and enjoy a few drinks, you might not lose weight. 😉 I probably gained 2 kgs over the 2 months. So not too bad. And I slowed down towards the end so that might have been the cause....
Are there things you worried about, when planning your first Camino? Or subsequent Caminos?
Hi Rob, having walked parts of the Camino in the past, I can never recapture the absolute joyful innocence of the first walk. Had little idea what we were doing, very little expectation, just open hearts. As we age gracefully, have not given up the idea of a September Camino, trying not to over plan!
Enjoy, cheers from the Riverland Au.
I agree, the first one is very special. Though I found my last one was close! Walking out of Sevilla across the Bridge, was a bit like "walking with my feet 10 feet off of Beale" (Cher song: Walking in Memphis)
I worried about everything before I left for Spain. I'd wake up in the middle of the night thinking "what am I doing"! "What was I thinking??" Later I did the Kumano Kodo in Japan which was very short but harder in many ways. Steeper and more dangerous with some narrow paths on the side of mountains. I loved it. Looking back the Camino Frances is pretty easy. Just some trying days due to weather or making some decisions on distance that weren't well considered due to eagerness or fatigue! 😅 the human body just adapts as long as you don't over do it and get injured. I did strength training and stair walking, plus the Blue Mountains Camino Supporter's 5 Day walk before I left and this helped enormously. I had a lot more confidence that I could do it. I also used your packing list with weight calculator ... still over packed!! 🤣
LOL. I think we always overpack to some degree. Though I'm getting better at it. 😉
Hi Rob, thank you so much for this video. I saw you at Mount Vic Flicks on Tuesday. After ou offered to take my photo with Bill Bennett, I realised who you were. Great photo btw. Thank you so much for taking it. I loved the film The Way, My Way. Did you enjoy it?
I loved it. Was great to chat to Bill afterwards about it. When's your next Camino? 🙂
The Camino Portuguese was our first walk and not even the whole thing, we started in Tui but then added Muxia to Finisterre at the end. All in all, a relatively easy walk, comfortable distances, good facilities and May-June had great weather last year. One thing i took seriously was to "not pack your fears." Don't remember where I first heard that, possibly here, but it is so true. And with stores in every town and village, it can always be bought on the way if it turns out to be really necessary. While detailed planning is not for everyone, we made sure to include rest days in places that promised to have interesting things to visit. Having the right equipment and practising with it before starting the Camino is very important. Find the pinch points and fix them before they develop into something serious.
Glad to hear you had a great Camino.
I did my first Camino in May/June 2022. Didn't think I was going to make it during the first week. Broke it down into smaller tasks: one week at a time, one day at a time, 5 km at a time. I did 40 days with 3 rest days and 6 short days.
That's the way to to do it! Bit by bit 🙂
Hi would you be able to detail on how you broke down your walk from start to finish, schedule and places you stopped at . Planning to do my first camino in the summer.
@@isapelawatts-farmer7779 Spent the first night in Orrison, but didn't need to. Could have made it to Roncesvalles. Used a backpack transport service the first few days. Did rest days in Estella, Leon, and Sarria and stayed in hotels for those. Leon is a good city for a rest day. Thinking about going again this summer but doing about 35 days.
@@isapelawatts-farmer7779 You really need to walk your own Camino, not someone else's. I don't mean to sound harsh, but we are all very different. Age, fitness, motivation, purpose....... If you are walking the Camino Frances, which is a great first Camino, there are excellent facilities all along the way. So you can adjust your stages as you go to suit your preferences and inclination. By all means read blogs, watch videos and the like. This gives you a good idea for what the journey will be like, places you might want to stay and so on. This allows you then to make good choices along the way. For example, some people might walk the 800 kms from St Jean in 28 days. Some 50 days. I find 40 days works well for me for a variety of reasons........that suit me. Age, fitness, injuries, walking speed, etc etc. I always recommend booking the first few nights and then 'winging it' once you get used to your capabilities and preferences. For the Frances, I would book St Jean, Roncesvalles, Zubiri and maybe Pamplona. Then I would see how I felt in Pamplona and book one day ahead from there or not at all. Depending on accommodation types you prefer. For example, after Pamplona, I walk to Uterga. Most people go on to Puente La Reina. I like a shorter day and it allows me to go via Eunate the next day. It's all very personal and really only makes sense once you start walking those first 2-3 days........ These planning videos might help: There are a lot. Just scan through the play list. Feel free to ask questions. studio.th-cam.com/users/playlistPLSU4euF3n3H-xhlN8ynoPq4QQf9yemlJj/videos One factor a lot of first-time pilgrims forget, is meeting people!! You will meet great people on Day 1. And you might want to walk with them and stay with them........... Just let things unfold if you can. 🙂
@@robscamino Thank you so much for you reply ,very helpful and insight will draw useful information and definitely walk my own camino.
Great tips Thankyou 🙏
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this very informative channel. Im very interested in doing the camino so in the stage of gathering information and planning for it. You have eased my worry that it is as hard as you want it to be. I like to see what's best to pack.
Glad you enjoy the channel. Here is a packing video. I have most topics on the channel. The search function will help you find them. th-cam.com/video/jWW7ihHr1vA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks Rob, always great advice and a calming voice. I'm starting to feel first timers nerves for my mid April start on the Frances. Hoping to get as far as I can from St. Jean with no real time limit. I'm in my late 50's and average fitness I think. I can carry a 9kg rucksack 10km or more on the coast roads and hills of Donegal. Thats my training anyway. Trying to do back to back 10km days. But try as I might I cant get the ruck lighter than about 8 to 9kg once I put in sleeping bag, 2 days of clothes, a puffy jacket, wet weather gear, meds, toiletries and usual electronics. Who'd of thought you could obsess about these things! lol Thanks for all your vids Rob.
LOL. 8-9 kg excluding water? Get ruthless! Lay all your gear out and seriously consider if you 'need' each item. But don't worry, whatever you don't use you'll end up ditching or sending home 🙂
Thanks for your wise counsel and sharing your experience. My Camino buddy now can't make the hike, so I'll be alone. I have two weeks and would like to complete the journey in Santiago. I like your idea of working up from 12k to 15k to 20k over a few days, then sticking around 20k for the rest of the trip. Where would you recommend I start my Camino, given 14 days and the work-up mileage system? Thanks for your ideas.
When do you plan to start? As you might want to research some of the different routes to see what suits you. The Frances is quite special but can be busy. The Sanabres provides more Solitude etc. But if you planned on walking 200-250 kms, that could give you start points such as: FRANCES. Astorga, Rabanal. SANABRES. Peubla de Sanabria, PORTUGUESE Porto. NORTE Ribadeo
@@robscamino Thanks very much! I'll be starting around May 11 on the Frances. I appreciate your suggestions! I'd love to walk the Portuguese Camino another time. This year I'll start by visiting friends near Lisbon before I begin and will travel from there to my starting point.
Astorga would be a good start point! Easy to get to, and you'll see the Cruz de Ferro. Day 1 will be easy to Rabanal, or you could go up to Foncebadon, but that gives you a bit of a climb at the end of the day. But do go easy on the way down to Molineseca! It will only be your first few days and it's a tough descent. Worth breaking it up, perhaps staying in El Acebo?
@@robscamino Thanks so much!
Here is that section on Gronze. www.gronze.com/etapa/astorga/foncebadon
I have been following you now for about 2 years and I have to say this has been the most practical and encouraging video for me. I still wonder why I decided I was going to do the Camino (from St Jean to Santiago) - in my head I'm doing it as a form of thanksgiving for all the people who helped me battle (and overcome) cancer - but I tried to nail it down recently by booking my first night's albergue (at Borda).
My query is about the mental side of things. Following my cancer journey, during which I retained an incredibly positive attitude, I then suffered "bounce back" - mild to strong depression leading to sleep deprivation . I have physically trained for the walking but wonder about the mental effort.
Any thoughts..........anyone?
The physical part is easy, compared to the mental part. For me at least. And I find the physical part tough enough! We are all different. But if I could share some thoughts it would be these. (A) Don't set out with any expectations, about anything. How it will go, how you'll cope, nothing. Just relax and let things unfold. (B) If you want time alone, take it. just tell others you need to be alone today or whatever. But..... (C) Talk to other Pilgrims. Not just anyone. But strong bonds form very quickly with certain people you 'click' with. Don't be afraid to share how you feel. We all help each other along the way. (D) Accept that stuff will not always go to plan. No real plan is best! When SxxT happens, as it will, look for the silver lining. I always found one. It was like an unseen hand pulling me in a different direction, for some other purpose. Maybe there was someone I needed to meet, or someplace I need to see or stay at. (E) Some days you might feel like crap. And want to go home. Try not to give into that. The Pilgrimage is a challenge in many ways. On those days take things hour by hour, and celebrate your hourly progress and the environment around you. If you meet someone who seems a bit down, maybe try to lift their spirits. It will lift yours too. (F) Forget about how far you have to walk. Focus on how far you have already walked. My last Camino was 1200 kms.
I never really even thought about how far I had to walk. It was too hard to get my head around. Though by about 150 kms from Santiago, it felt like I was finally coming home. (G). Be thankful. I have a ritual every day. I offer a prayer of thanks at the start and end of each day. Giving thanks for making it through another day and for the lessons I have learned along the way. BUT........... 95% of the time I am walking on air........just being their lifts my spirits! 🙂
This video might help. th-cam.com/video/1lqcpBiz5WM/w-d-xo.html But if you would like something more comprehensive, just about the mental challenges, let me know.
Good video with lots of information !!
BTW it’s not Mexican Spanish it’s Latin Spanish and spoken primarily
Castilian Spanish is only spoken in Spain
Of course. Thank you for the correction. I'm currently learning Spanish from a Columbian.
@@robscamino good choice. I find the speak slower and clear than a lot of other Latin countries and they don’t use a lot of slang.
Buena suerte !!
Español y castellano es equivalente.
No existe español mexicano.
Es español con acento mejicano. O colombiano o andaluz o catalán.
Español latino🤔 de 22 países.?
Inglés británico🤔?
Inglés americano🤔?
Inglés canadiense?.
Inglés Nigeriano, etc etc 🤔????
Inglés .....?
Hablan inglés .😊
Hablamos español😊
Hi Rob I’m planning to my Camino in October my first time. Is Portuguese coastal route easy enough
I haven't walked that route sadly. But it's very popular. One of the reasons I haven't walked it, is that I understand there is quite a bit of road walking, and my feet can't handle that. Maybe someone who has walked it could comment?
I always use this site as a first step in planning. www.gronze.com/camino-portugues
How long did you take? I have 6 weeks planned but worried I’m rushing still. When I do the math it looks overwhelming! I want rest days and days to explore. Wondering if I need to add more time?
I presume you mean the Frances Route from Saint Jean pied de Port? Yes, it can seem overwhelming at first! Tip. Just take it day by day or hour by hour. Forget the destination or how far it is. Focus on the next coffee break or something. 6 weeks (42 days). I walk very slowly and short days. I average about 20-25 kms / day. I walk the Frances in about 40-42 days. Most do it in about 33-38 I would guess. I don't rush, as I make sure I want to enjoy every step. My 40-42 days would generally include a couple of days off (rest days) and some shorter days here and there. 6 weeks should be plenty. If you can add a few more days, go ahead...... But 42 days is not rushing. THis is the main reason I suggest hat booking your whole Camino in advance can be a big mistake. Leave yourself some flexibility.......change your plans as you go. You might want to walk faster/slower, longer or shorter days. It takes a few days of walking before you start to understand your comfortable daily distances and speeds.
Hello, I am walking my first camino. Doing last 100k of norte. I have 3 days extra to sight see northern Spain after camino. Are private albergues are open to post pilgrims to stay in? Thank you
Technically, Albergues are for Pilgrims who are walking towards Santiago. It would be up to the Albergue host/owner really.
@@robscamino Thank you for your reply.
I don’t think it is good for immigrants to Australia to disrespect the people born here - I was born here and am not a ‘whale’. Please show more respect to the country that welcomed you and provided for you.😊
Fair point........
@@robscamino this was a good response, I will stay subscribed. Generally I like your content. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
@@docjoei2224 Oi, Oi, Oi 🙂
Significantly overweight? After completing the VdlP? Surely not!
I eat and drink my way across Spain! I always put on a few Kgs on Camino 🙂 (and once I get home)
@@robscamino I am surprised, given the number of miles you covered!
Moderate exercise doesn't actually burn that many calories. People who lose a lot of weight on the Camino most be A. Walking 40 km + per day, or B. Not eating much. 🙂 If you think that walking burns about 300 calories / hour and I walk for maybe 6 hours per day = That's 1800 calories all up. 3 glasses of wine and some bread with lunch will be 600 calories already. Doesn't take much to eat more than 1800 calories. OK there are other calorie burning stuff going on for the other 18 hours a day..... but the point is, if you eat well and enjoy a few drinks, you might not lose weight. 😉 I probably gained 2 kgs over the 2 months. So not too bad. And I slowed down towards the end so that might have been the cause....
@@robscamino interesting points. Maybe worth a video....
@@christiankreps5920 OK.