I have a suggestion for anyone who may worry about how to find the Camino path each morning, especially if they're in a city or biggish town. Every afternoon, after doing the usual end-of-day routine things after booking into their accommodation - showering, washing clothes, having something to eat and/or drink, or maybe a bit of a rest - go out and walk around to find the arrow showing the way to go in the morning. If they can't find one, ask the hospitalero/receptionist where they're staying, or other pilgrims, for directions. Knowing where they need to go to pick up the arrows in the morning will allow for a better night's sleep hopefully.
A very good tip! Applicable for any trip where you may have something planned early the next morning. Be it a train or a bus, find the station and from where it departs and no stress when it is time to go! Same as finding your morning arrow or shell.
Very good suggestion and I started doing just that after getting lost on the Portuguese coastal route early on my first Camino. Somehow, I'd missed the arrow and quite some time after not seeing another, which was my first mistake as I should have gone back to the previous one long before, I decided to use Google Maps to get back on track, entering my lodging for that night. Unfortunately, Google Maps took me on the most direct walking route, which in that location wasn't the actual Camino route. I spent the next few hours walking on the shoulder of a very busy highway, not seeing another yellow arrow for the remainder of the day. After that I decided to circle around my lodging the night before until I spotted an arrow. And then if at any point it had been one or two kms of not seeing an arrow, to return sooner rather than later to the last one I saw and try again, paying closer attention.
Thanks Rob. The next time I walk I want to get a little more "lost". I took the Brierley guidebook and used the Camino Ninja app (mainly for bookings) and got a bit stuck in Brierley's Stages. There are so many amazing places to stay beyond those identified in the guidebook and we did break away after about 10 days and enjoyed the experience. If fears of missing a bed were not an issue, I'd consider walking with nothing and let the Camino & your body decide where to stay.
Indeed, 'getting lost' can produce a magic all of it's own. Maybe we are never truly 'lost' on a Camino, but just nudged away from our path at times to find new experiences that we might have missed. 🙂
Indeed that's true. Those photos we all take with our long shadows in front of us. Though I think on the Frances, I recall the sun being on my left during the day. My face got burned on that side. I did check though.......... www.gaisma.com/en/location/madrid.html
So according to that chart, on the VdlP I can expect the sun to rise on my right, pass around my back during the day and set on my left? Does that sound right for anyone who has walked the VdlP? My umbrella should work perfectly!
I like the Cicerone village to Village guides. Clean simple maps and not heavy. Shows taps, shoves etc. as well as a simple list of accomadation options. Last two Caminos I also used the Camino Ninja App which has an excellent navigation function. A. Map with a red line showing the route and a dot to show where you are accurate to about 10m. I only use it as a backup though, it is sooo accurate it takes some of the fun out of it.
@@robscaminoninja was amazing, I was lucky enough to have it on my recent Frances - fortunately had downloaded it sometime before it was removed from the App Store. RIP to the author 🙏
Ok, this was us being not too bright. Leaving le Puy, first day out, walking along a side walk. There's an arrow point right, on a street corner, so we turn right and walk 30 minutes. No other markets, so we head back to where we saw our last arrow. It was telling us to stay right, keep straight for a safe path, 20 feet long, then cross the street. There was a marker on the other side of the street. Better yet, the statue Pilgrams statue was pointing to cross the street. We were not impressed with our skills that day, but we laugh at it now.
I've gotten lost a few times now, even on the Frances 😂 I had a 1km deviation, had to turn around. Then a few shorter ones. Having an app with a Map like Buen Camino helps, so you can see where you are relative to the path - saved me! 😂😍🙏
Yes, it can be done 🙂 I always have a guide book with maps scanned onto my phone, and have google maps on standby. But next time I'll try an App I think. I have this 'warped' interest when I'm walking about working out in my head when I'll get to certain places, my water consumption and all manner of stuff. And seeing how close my estimates were. I must have been a real pain in the butt as a kid, probably always asking "are we there yet" 🙂 I do it on long drives here in Australia! Every time I see a road sign with a distance marker 🙄 Probably somewhat prompted by my better half as I know she'll frequently want to know when the next rest stop is........where we'll stop for a meal, etc etc. (rather like on the Camino!)
@@robscamino yeah app is definitely worth it for the map functionality. I really did prefer Camino Ninja, was very clean. But Buen Camino is a reasonable one, just take your time to learn how it works beforehand (or ask another pilgrim along the way, like I did 😂)
Good morning from England Rob. Thank you for this, very reassuring. Whilst walking Le Puy route this year, a group of us were standing with maps, guide books and mobile phones in hand struggling to decide which road to take as there were no markings to be seen, then a delivery van moved from in front of a shop, it had been parked against the Camino way signs! Just something to be aware of in similar situations. Really look forward to and enjoy your posts.
The only time I ever had to double back on the Camino Portuguese were 2 instances of encountering locals that thought they knew a better way of how to get to my accommodations than Google Maps did. It turns out they did not.
Hi Rob. Thanks for all your videos. You mentioned Google maps. Generally what is the phone reception like across the different routes. Is there anywhere where there is no reception at all and over what distance is it? Thank you.
That's a tough question, as the routes are all over Spain and other countries. The best thing is to have a look at a 'coverage' map. www.nperf.com/en/map/ES/-/168910.Movistar-Movil/signal/?ll=35.84453450421662&lg=-6.893920898437501&zoom=5 On the Camino Frances I was rarely without phone reception, if at all.
Love your helpfulness about the pilgrimage Rob. I did get lost a few times on the Madrid Camino as I met 4 pilgrims all up and the arrows were sparse. Lots of fun though....love
Yes, I think the chances are a bit higher on the less popular rotes. I fully expect to take a few 'wrong turns' on the VdlP next year. But hey, that's all part of the adventure isn't it? 🙂
I've gotten lost 3 times and always in towns and cities, but never for long. The locals will always point me back onto the right path. Outside of the towns though I always found the Camino Frances easy enough to follow.
Gosh almost impossible, no, to get lost on the Camino Frances?? Even in large urban centres it’s very well marked. I got lost walking out of Coimbra on the Portuguese- very confusing larger city. Not lost ever on Camino Madrid - it’s pretty much one road between small farm towns lol in possible it’s soooo flat and straight.
Are you worried about getting lost on your first Camino? Or maybe you have some 'getting lost' stories to share. 🙂
I have a suggestion for anyone who may worry about how to find the Camino path each morning, especially if they're in a city or biggish town. Every afternoon, after doing the usual end-of-day routine things after booking into their accommodation - showering, washing clothes, having something to eat and/or drink, or maybe a bit of a rest - go out and walk around to find the arrow showing the way to go in the morning. If they can't find one, ask the hospitalero/receptionist where they're staying, or other pilgrims, for directions. Knowing where they need to go to pick up the arrows in the morning will allow for a better night's sleep hopefully.
Great tip! I often do that 🙂
A very good tip! Applicable for any trip where you may have something planned early the next morning. Be it a train or a bus, find the station and from where it departs and no stress when it is time to go! Same as finding your morning arrow or shell.
Very good suggestion and I started doing just that after getting lost on the Portuguese coastal route early on my first Camino. Somehow, I'd missed the arrow and quite some time after not seeing another, which was my first mistake as I should have gone back to the previous one long before, I decided to use Google Maps to get back on track, entering my lodging for that night. Unfortunately, Google Maps took me on the most direct walking route, which in that location wasn't the actual Camino route. I spent the next few hours walking on the shoulder of a very busy highway, not seeing another yellow arrow for the remainder of the day. After that I decided to circle around my lodging the night before until I spotted an arrow. And then if at any point it had been one or two kms of not seeing an arrow, to return sooner rather than later to the last one I saw and try again, paying closer attention.
Thanks Rob. The next time I walk I want to get a little more "lost". I took the Brierley guidebook and used the Camino Ninja app (mainly for bookings) and got a bit stuck in Brierley's Stages. There are so many amazing places to stay beyond those identified in the guidebook and we did break away after about 10 days and enjoyed the experience. If fears of missing a bed were not an issue, I'd consider walking with nothing and let the Camino & your body decide where to stay.
Indeed, 'getting lost' can produce a magic all of it's own. Maybe we are never truly 'lost' on a Camino, but just nudged away from our path at times to find new experiences that we might have missed. 🙂
Don't forget, you can orient yourself with the sun. On the françès, the sun will be behind you in the morning and it will be at your right in the day.
Indeed that's true. Those photos we all take with our long shadows in front of us.
Though I think on the Frances, I recall the sun being on my left during the day. My face got burned on that side.
I did check though..........
www.gaisma.com/en/location/madrid.html
So according to that chart, on the VdlP I can expect the sun to rise on my right, pass around my back during the day and set on my left? Does that sound right for anyone who has walked the VdlP? My umbrella should work perfectly!
I like the Cicerone village to Village guides. Clean simple maps and not heavy. Shows taps, shoves etc. as well as a simple list of accomadation options. Last two Caminos I also used the Camino Ninja App which has an excellent navigation function. A. Map with a red line showing the route and a dot to show where you are accurate to about 10m. I only use it as a backup though, it is sooo accurate it takes some of the fun out of it.
Yes I think I'll take an App next time as a backup. I've heard good things about the Ninja App. Sadly the author died earlier this year.
@@robscaminoninja was amazing, I was lucky enough to have it on my recent Frances - fortunately had downloaded it sometime before it was removed from the App Store. RIP to the author 🙏
Ok, this was us being not too bright. Leaving le Puy, first day out, walking along a side walk. There's an arrow point right, on a street corner, so we turn right and walk 30 minutes. No other markets, so we head back to where we saw our last arrow. It was telling us to stay right, keep straight for a safe path, 20 feet long, then cross the street. There was a marker on the other side of the street. Better yet, the statue Pilgrams statue was pointing to cross the street. We were not impressed with our skills that day, but we laugh at it now.
I think we have all had those days 🙂
I've gotten lost a few times now, even on the Frances 😂 I had a 1km deviation, had to turn around. Then a few shorter ones.
Having an app with a Map like Buen Camino helps, so you can see where you are relative to the path - saved me! 😂😍🙏
Yes, it can be done 🙂 I always have a guide book with maps scanned onto my phone, and have google maps on standby. But next time I'll try an App I think. I have this 'warped' interest when I'm walking about working out in my head when I'll get to certain places, my water consumption and all manner of stuff. And seeing how close my estimates were. I must have been a real pain in the butt as a kid, probably always asking "are we there yet" 🙂 I do it on long drives here in Australia! Every time I see a road sign with a distance marker 🙄 Probably somewhat prompted by my better half as I know she'll frequently want to know when the next rest stop is........where we'll stop for a meal, etc etc. (rather like on the Camino!)
@@robscamino yeah app is definitely worth it for the map functionality. I really did prefer Camino Ninja, was very clean. But Buen Camino is a reasonable one, just take your time to learn how it works beforehand (or ask another pilgrim along the way, like I did 😂)
Good morning from England Rob. Thank you for this, very reassuring. Whilst walking Le Puy route this year, a group of us were standing with maps, guide books and mobile phones in hand struggling to decide which road to take as there were no markings to be seen, then a delivery van moved from in front of a shop, it had been parked against the Camino way signs! Just something to be aware of in similar situations. Really look forward to and enjoy your posts.
Sounds like a Benny Hill sketch LOL. Showing my age 🙄
Hi Sue - may I ask how many days you walked on the Le Puy?? Looks very appealing for the next Camino.
@@shaunminehan it took us 70 days. We just got back in November.
Would love to do it one day!
@@robscamino it is beautiful. We loved it more, to be honest. It set a high bar.
The only time I ever had to double back on the Camino Portuguese were 2 instances of encountering locals that thought they knew a better way of how to get to my accommodations than Google Maps did. It turns out they did not.
Helpful locals huh. Surprisingly they don't 'always' know the Camino routes....
Hi Rob. Thanks for all your videos. You mentioned Google maps. Generally what is the phone reception like across the different routes. Is there anywhere where there is no reception at all and over what distance is it? Thank you.
That's a tough question, as the routes are all over Spain and other countries. The best thing is to have a look at a 'coverage' map. www.nperf.com/en/map/ES/-/168910.Movistar-Movil/signal/?ll=35.84453450421662&lg=-6.893920898437501&zoom=5 On the Camino Frances I was rarely without phone reception, if at all.
@@robscamino Thank you.
Love your helpfulness about the pilgrimage Rob. I did get lost a few times on the Madrid Camino as I met 4 pilgrims all up and the arrows were sparse. Lots of fun though....love
Yes, I think the chances are a bit higher on the less popular rotes. I fully expect to take a few 'wrong turns' on the VdlP next year. But hey, that's all part of the adventure isn't it? 🙂
I've gotten lost 3 times and always in towns and cities, but never for long. The locals will always point me back onto the right path. Outside of the towns though I always found the Camino Frances easy enough to follow.
Yes, that's so true. It's in the towns that it can get confusing.....
I love your videos. I was just thinking what happens if I get lost on El Camino in the summer.
Well now you know! It's unlikely you'll get lost! 🙂
Gosh almost impossible, no, to get lost on the Camino Frances?? Even in large urban centres it’s very well marked.
I got lost walking out of Coimbra on the Portuguese- very confusing larger city. Not lost ever on Camino Madrid - it’s pretty much one road between small farm towns lol in possible it’s soooo flat and straight.
Good to hear. I think it's a matter of just being aware of direction, signs and so on.....