Thanks for watching and I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment 😊

Thanks, buddy. Appreciate you taking the time to watch it and for your comments. It Took me a while to make this one! I’m looking forward to seeing your next video :)

Thank you 😊

Wow, what an adventure awaits you! Will you be posting about it online? I'd love to see your journey, if you're on instagram let me know and I'll give you a follow. I've not walked in Northern France yet, but I'm sure there will be places for you to stay. I did a quick search and found this guide book, which might help you - www.csj.org.uk/shop/lightfoot-guide-to-the-via-podiensis

Thank you. I agree, there are lots of lovely different types of accommodation available on the Camino. I’ve not walked the Via Podiensis, I’m guessing it’s a quieter route? I hope you have a great time. Buen Camino

@@Caminohacks we’ve walked the Via Francigena and it’s going to be similar- less people, less support, but amazing views and gracious locals.

Sounds like it’ll be lovely then, I’ve heard good things about the via Francigen . I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the Baztan, it’s nice to take a break from the busier routes.

Thanks for watching and I’m so pleased you enjoyed it ☺️. The snoring was so bad that night on the Portuguese Camino I had to include it - people need to hear the truth 😂 I’m looking forward to your next episode. How’s the edit coming along?

@@Caminohacks “CAMINO: THE TRUTH!” haha yeah… let’s not gloss over it. still waiting on your special on dry croissants and shoe sole bocadillos… i’ll gladly help out and shoot some footage for you! just decided on a Camino Frances from May 4th, so i’ll have ample opportunity to peruse the ‘goods’… 😆 - episode 15 is in the works, I’m running late because I was traveling for 10 days (Fuerteventura) - it’ll be a bit longer still until I’m done, unfortunately!

Ha ha, they need to hear the harsh reality of Camino snoring and rock hard Spanish food 😂 The videos we both make should scare of a fair few pilgrims. Cool, will you walk with anyone of your Camino family from the video or make a new one? The Frances is addictive isn’t it, the community aspect on the Frances is unrivalled. I walk June 16th on the Primitivo, so you’ll probably beat me to Santiago! Looking forward to seeing it, when it’s ready. Hope the recent trip was a good one!

That’s great to hear, do you have any favourite albergues experiences or places you’d recommend ? I’ve had a few nights of bad sleep due to noisy pilgrims and have used the private room option to rest and get a good nights sleep when this does occur. That being said, I also had some great nights sleep in communal dorms - rough with the smooth as is often the case.

Lucky you to forget so quick

In April you should be ok, as the season is only just beginning. Things don’t get really busy on the Frances until May, and it’s only bad at pinch points, such as St John to Pamplona and Sarria to Santiago. I think you’ll be ok, so no need to worry. If you’re concerned about accommodation then you can download an app like Wise Pilgrim or Buen Camino, that’ll show you all the places you can stay along the way. If you have any questions let me know and I’ll be happy to answer them. Buen Camino

Thanks! Yes, that's a good point, I do normally take spares for the tired looking pilgrims who've forgotten to bring some. I've not slept outside on Camino, yet. Did you end up doing that due to lack of beds or just fancied the experience?

@@Caminohacks not yet but I was expecting to and wanted to try it , just lucky I guess. I couple of lads I ran into did on a few occasions also my two sons have on separate occasions. Next Camino for me is the de la Plata in 2025 so who knows...

I’m sure there’ll be opportunities to do it on the le plata.

In my experience it's not the comfortable albergues that have done for the lack of community feeling it's the smart phone. Don't book ahead and switch that phone off.

@@meganbutler4187 Being on Camino is the perfect time to have a digital detox. A good communal meal often pulls people away from their phones and gets them talking to strangers.

I can't speak for all albergues, but I know the ones I stayed in I've been able to unlock the door from the inside when we leave early in the morning. It's more to stop people coming in, than getting out. How did you get out in the morning?

There are some towns where during busy periods there are less beds available - St John pied de port to Pamplona and sarria to Santiago on the Frances, and Tui to Santiago on the Portuguese. But, you can book beds in advance on these sections if you don’t think you’ll get into town before the majority of other pilgrims. Some hostels deliberately show themselves as full on booking.com as they don’t want to pay the 15% charge. A way around this is to get the Wise Pilgrim (paid version) Frances app - you can then send a WhatsApp message or call to see if they have beds. Some towns have less places to stay, so what they do have fills up fast in busy periods. April should be ok, as the Frances traditionally doesn’t get super busy until May into June. But, I would check to see if your dates clash with the Easter holidays in Spain. Easter can get very busy with people from Spain walking during the holiday. The last 100kms of the Frances are generally the busiest, so if you have a rough idea of how far you’d like to walk then reserving a room could help put your mind at rest. If you want some flexibility you could pay the extra few euros and get the free cancellation option on your hotel room. Let me know if you have any other questions and I’ll be happy to help you. Buen Camino

@@Caminohacks Thank you for your advice and all your videos... They are all super helpful..

Thank you for saying that, I’m happy to hear you find them useful.

There a lots of people who cycle the Camino. The busy periods on the Frances are May into June, then again Sept into Oct.

@@Caminohacks thanks very much for that info, I'll look further into the route tomorrow. Do cyclists use the Camino accommodation or is that only for walkers? I'd be fully sufficient with camping and cooking kit anyway. Thanks again 🙂👍

You can stay in camino accommodation, priority is given to walkers, but there should be more than enough to go round. A good website to check accommodation and the route is Gronze.com and Ive also made a video on the best website for Camino planning. You shouldn’t need a cooking stove, as pilgrim meals are very reasonably priced and they’re a great place for meeting people.

That's great information, and as I'd do it in a less busy time it does sound like there'd be enough spare accommodation. I'll have a look at that website shortly and also check out your planning video. Meeting people en route is one of the reasons why I travel. Thanks again, it's much appreciated 👍

Always happy to help, Tony. You'l meet lots of lovely and interesting folk on the Camino. If you have anymore questions then give me a shout.

Yes, sometimes the snoring is so loud no earplugs on earth can save you 😂

Is sleeping outside an option on a snory night?

ha ha, and what a sound it was! I've never heard snoring like it. It's funny looking back on it, but at the time it was impossible to sleep through. Maybe it's time for Decky to take the private rooms on Camino 😂

Having extra ear plugs for people who’ve forgotten their own is a great tip 👍🏻

ha ha, sir you are doing a good service to all fellow pilgrims throwing things at him 🤣. You'll have to warn me when he's walking so I can stay a stage or two behind.

technically you are not allowed to wild camp in Spain, but I have met a couple of pilgrims that have done it. A way around the rule is to put it up after sundown and take it down before sunrise. Almost all pilgrims stay in albergues or other accommodation available, but if you are after a quieter (and cheaper) experience then camping could work for you.

Oh no, Kathy, please reconsider. You can tailor a Camino to suit you, so if communal living isn't for you then private rooms or hotels can sort that. What else concerns you about the Camino? I'd hate to think my video has changed your mind.

Oh gosh, sorry to hear that. All albergue related or did the horrors come from elsewhere?

That can defintely help people avoid being locked out.