I would like you to continue reading from your diary. Not sure when this was filmed… And I will see if you did actually continue… I’ve watched several of your videos and really enjoy them. I am 62 years old and hope to walk the Camino Francis within the next five years. I am in pretty good shape and lean and love to hike and this is at the top of my bucket list! Thank you for all your help and advice and your sense of humor. Blessings to you and your wife.
Thx Sophie for your kind words. I am literally just back from walking another Camino - The Camino Del Norte, tough long walk. Anyway several people have asked for my diary so I will get back to it! Good luck with your walk , you will love it and thx again for your feedback
so glad you enjoyed it, the for your feedback. I'm certain you will have a fabulous walk. Pick when you go carefully (spring or fall) as the Camino Francis is very very busy these days and it can be hard to get accommodation during peak times. Have a great Camino!
I noticed that, too. Still, 4100' is plenty high for anyone like me, a woman at 77, who has always lived near the Carolina coast almost at sea level. At that altitude, the air is beginning to be a lot thinner, and getting plenty of O-2 requires a lot of huffing and puffing regardless of the climb. When I did my trans-Euro bike ride from Amsterdam to Vienna, at least I had a nice week first doing the Low Countries getting used to about 7-8 hours in the saddle every day before having to do anything I'd call a hill climb.
Hi Sandy,.......such a lovely reflection of your first day,. I really enjoyed listening to your story, and your expressive interjections, which brought colour and a sense of highlight. As I listened I was reminded of an audio book I enjoyed many years ago, Peter Mayle's, "A Year in Provence." There are alot of Camino videos available which portray the scenery well, however, they provide little insight into the human experience, as does your memoirs. So, there is a place for , "The Camino Diaries," of Sandy French, please do go on,..... PennyXxx
Hi Penny thx for your very kind words and encouragement...maybe it's not a coincidence that a love "A Year in Provence"...in fact I love all of France. That being said I have been pondering for some time whether to continue to read my diaries into UA-cam videos...I have not actually read them so I wrote them...anyway you have given me the motivation I needed. I'm away from home (and my diaries) for 6 weeks so when I get back and before I do my next Camino (late April) I will do a few installments! Thx again Penny. Sandy
another option, would be to send your pack ahead to Roncesvalles and only carry a small pack with water and food! We also took the forest route, will take the road next time in August, 2022.
It's a tough stage to start a hike and not representative of the entire Camino Frances. SJPP to Roncesvalles is do-able but if you are hesitant don't be over proud. You can lighten the load with luggage transfer, do a stop-over at Horizon and take the low route. All choices are valid as it's your Camino :) Thanks for the good tips!
HI Erwin thx for your thoughts. Couldn't agree more with your comments and in particular - all choices are valid it's your Camino. Like Frankie crooned "I did it my way"
Sandy, thank you for sharing your experience with us. It has encouraged me, at 65 - to hike the Camino Frances. YES, I thoroughly enjoyed you reading from your Diary. Thank you again. You have a convert here.
Thank you for sharing this and the other videos. Found your videos today, and I have almost watched them all now 🙂 I particularly enjoyed your reading from your diary.
Great video. I'm a little unclear as to why you're recommending NOT breaking the first day in Orrisson. That seems like a sensible plan for the first day of a very long walk!
I think for some people it doesn’t make a lot of sense to stop there. For my wife and I we reached there in three hours so it was 1030 in the morning and way too early to stop but again, I think to each their own based on their capabilities. If you do stop there or plan to stop there, make sure you book it well in advance because it is always full from April through to the end of October. Thanks for your perspective
I was happy (at age 64) to break it into two fairly easy days. I met many people at Orisson that I would see over the next month. We arrived in Roncesvalles in time to get a very good menu del dia at La Posada.
Hi Sandy I really enjoyed this video and your reading. In a sea of videos about the Camino you have managed to give lots of useful information and a fresh approach. I look forward to your full story. Please continue.
Thank you so much Sandy for sharing all your experience. I’ve watched a few of your UA-cam videos and I thoroughly enjoyed them as well as picked up a couple of great advice. I’m planning on doing my first Camino in mid-April 2024. I will be doing the Camino Frances barring injuries and illness. I’ll be 69 years old then. I live in Seattle. I want to avoid the busyness of the Camino and yet have a pleasant daily walk. Is my plan to start walking Camino Frances in mid-April be not too cold since I plan to pack light? Thank you for your advice. Rafael V
Hello, thank you for your videos. So helpful. We would be very interested if you could do one on the Camino for more elderly walkers..ie late 70s and 80s. Based on any observations you might have.
Hi Mrs Bouch, thanks for your kind feedback. I will certainly think about your request, I must get back to making my videos! In the interim one thing I would strongly suggest is using a baggage transfer service, this can really help with the overall experience (i.e. makes a long hard walk a little easier) and the additional cost is usually quite manageable. Hope this helps
The answers to those first few questions are I am not as old as dirt, but older than a large boulder. A short squatty pear would best describe my shape, rolling downhill works best for me. Time of year, the time of year when it is not too hot, nor too cold, and when there is a nice steady breeze, against my back, pushing me onward. Daily walk limit, subject to what my twenty-person support team can support. Did I miss any? On a serious note, thanks for the great video, I really learn quite a bit from them and am looking forward to the Camino.
Thx for the kind feedback EM. Maybe you're like a stout tree, lower center of gravity but strong! Glad you are finding them helpful, I begin my next Camino late April, excited and eager to get started. I think you will love the Camino!
I would like you to continue reading from your diary. Not sure when this was filmed… And I will see if you did actually continue… I’ve watched several of your videos and really enjoy them. I am 62 years old and hope to walk the Camino Francis within the next five years. I am in pretty good shape and lean and love to hike and this is at the top of my bucket list! Thank you for all your help and advice and your sense of humor. Blessings to you and your wife.
Thx Sophie for your kind words.
I am literally just back from walking another Camino - The Camino Del Norte, tough long walk.
Anyway several people have asked for my diary so I will get back to it! Good luck with your walk , you will love it and thx again for your feedback
I loved the reading from your diary! Keep reading!!
Hi Heidi
I’m walking the Norte right now but I hope to get back to that
Thx for the encouragement!
Really enjoyed the video, particularly the diary. I’m 67 and my wife 70 and we are preparing for our first.
so glad you enjoyed it, the for your feedback. I'm certain you will have a fabulous walk. Pick when you go carefully (spring or fall) as the Camino Francis is very very busy these days and it can be hard to get accommodation during peak times. Have a great Camino!
Just a correction. 1250 meters equals 4100 feet.
I noticed that, too. Still, 4100' is plenty high for anyone like me, a woman at 77, who has always lived near the Carolina coast almost at sea level. At that altitude, the air is beginning to be a lot thinner, and getting plenty of O-2 requires a lot of huffing and puffing regardless of the climb. When I did my trans-Euro bike ride from Amsterdam to Vienna, at least I had a nice week first doing the Low Countries getting used to about 7-8 hours in the saddle every day before having to do anything I'd call a hill climb.
Hi Sandy,.......such a lovely reflection of your first day,. I really enjoyed listening to your story, and your expressive interjections, which brought colour and a sense of highlight. As I listened I was reminded of an audio book I enjoyed many years ago, Peter Mayle's, "A Year in Provence." There are alot of Camino videos available which portray the scenery well, however, they provide little insight into the human experience, as does your memoirs.
So, there is a place for , "The Camino Diaries," of Sandy French, please do go on,.....
PennyXxx
Hi Penny thx for your very kind words and encouragement...maybe it's not a coincidence that a love "A Year in Provence"...in fact I love all of France.
That being said I have been pondering for some time whether to continue to read my diaries into UA-cam videos...I have not actually read them so I wrote them...anyway you have given me the motivation I needed.
I'm away from home (and my diaries) for 6 weeks so when I get back and before I do my next Camino (late April) I will do a few installments!
Thx again Penny.
Sandy
another option, would be to send your pack ahead to Roncesvalles and only carry a small pack with water and food! We also took the forest route, will take the road next time in August, 2022.
Great description of the day!
Thx Michelle
Thank you for a Camino channel for the older walkers. Much appreciated! Keep them coming!
Thx G appreciate the feedback
It's a tough stage to start a hike and not representative of the entire Camino Frances. SJPP to Roncesvalles is do-able but if you are hesitant don't be over proud. You can lighten the load with luggage transfer, do a stop-over at Horizon and take the low route. All choices are valid as it's your Camino :) Thanks for the good tips!
HI Erwin thx for your thoughts. Couldn't agree more with your comments and in particular - all choices are valid it's your Camino. Like Frankie crooned "I did it my way"
I really enjoyed your reading from your diary 😁 thank you for sharing your journey 🙏
My pleasure. Buen Camino
Sandy, thank you for sharing your experience with us. It has encouraged me, at 65 - to hike the Camino Frances. YES, I thoroughly enjoyed you reading from your Diary. Thank you again. You have a convert here.
Thx for your kind words Cynthia - I'm excited for you. And i guess i should get back to my diary readings!
Thank you for sharing this and the other videos. Found your videos today, and I have almost watched them all now 🙂
I particularly enjoyed your reading from your diary.
Hi Morten, thx for your kind feedback. I was wondering if i should keep doing the diary and based on your feedback i think I will, thx again!
The elevation of 1250 meters = 4101 feet.
Great video. I'm a little unclear as to why you're recommending NOT breaking the first day in Orrisson. That seems like a sensible plan for the first day of a very long walk!
I think for some people it doesn’t make a lot of sense to stop there. For my wife and I we reached there in three hours so it was 1030 in the morning and way too early to stop but again, I think to each their own based on their capabilities.
If you do stop there or plan to stop there, make sure you book it well in advance because it is always full from April through to the end of October.
Thanks for your perspective
I was happy (at age 64) to break it into two fairly easy days. I met many people at Orisson that I would see over the next month. We arrived in Roncesvalles in time to get a very good menu del dia at La Posada.
Sounds like a good plan Doug! Can be a long day
Hi Sandy I really enjoyed this video and your reading. In a sea of videos about the Camino you have managed to give lots of useful information and a fresh approach. I look forward to your full story. Please continue.
Thx Chris - appreciate the kind words. I have posted Day 2 and Day 3 will be up shortly
Hi, I like your tips for day one because I am a South Korean senior man. I will keep watching all videos.
Thx Robert - more tips coming soon!
Thank you so much for the good videos youve done, can't wait for the rest of your videos coming soon.
Thx SC appreciate your kind words. Any questions just let me know, hereto help
Thank you so much Sandy for sharing all your experience. I’ve watched a few of your UA-cam videos and I thoroughly enjoyed them as well as picked up a couple of great advice.
I’m planning on doing my first Camino in mid-April 2024. I will be doing the Camino Frances barring injuries and illness. I’ll be 69 years old then. I live in Seattle.
I want to avoid the busyness of the Camino and yet have a pleasant daily walk. Is my plan to start walking Camino Frances in mid-April be not too cold since I plan to pack light?
Thank you for your advice.
Rafael V
Hello, thank you for your videos. So helpful. We would be very interested if you could do one on the Camino for more elderly walkers..ie late 70s and 80s. Based on any observations you might have.
Hi Mrs Bouch, thanks for your kind feedback. I will certainly think about your request, I must get back to making my videos! In the interim one thing I would strongly suggest is using a baggage transfer service, this can really help with the overall experience (i.e. makes a long hard walk a little easier) and the additional cost is usually quite manageable. Hope this helps
The answers to those first few questions are I am not as old as dirt, but older than a large boulder. A short squatty pear would best describe my shape, rolling downhill works best for me. Time of year, the time of year when it is not too hot, nor too cold, and when there is a nice steady breeze, against my back, pushing me onward. Daily walk limit, subject to what my twenty-person support team can support. Did I miss any? On a serious note, thanks for the great video, I really learn quite a bit from them and am looking forward to the Camino.
Thx for the kind feedback EM. Maybe you're like a stout tree, lower center of gravity but strong! Glad you are finding them helpful, I begin my next Camino late April, excited and eager to get started. I think you will love the Camino!
Thanks for the video. I’d adjust your math on the elevation, it’s about a third of the height you mentioned. Buen Camino!
Tx BCOKC - i know i screwed up! Glad you found the right heigh. Keep on keepin on
Sandy, thank you,,, but check your figures. There are just a little over 3 feet in a meter... maybe you could correct that segment?
you are right Dani thx for teh heads up