train from Bilbao to Pamplona

[Delphia Dirks]

Thanks Edie..

According to the Lozano book, the trip from StJean PP is a days walk  (19km
I thik).   Is it so, what with the mountain, etc.?  Do most people make it
in a day, or is Valcarlos a more reasonable target?   That book also lays
out 30 days to make the trip.  I will be about 40 days in Spain and expect
to take more than 30 days on the camino--with a couple for Bilbao and
Madrid.  This SJPP part of it will probably be a last minute decision.

How many km's constitutes 'over-walking'....  well, I suppose that depends
on the person.

thanks again for your comments... much appreciated.
delphia, from wdc.

> From: Edie Bennett <pacificonaEARTHLINK.NET>
> Reply-To: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage <GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001 13:35:54 -0700
> To: GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
> Subject: Re: train from Bilbao to Pamplona
>
> As a recently returned pilgrim who walked from St. Jean Pied de Port to
> Santiago, I'll just make a comment on Delphia's question of whether to start
> from Roncesvalles or St. Jean when time may be limited.  Many of the
> pilgrims I met this May and early June were facing a "deadline" to reach
> Santiago by a certain date, and were a bit compromised -- some "over-walked"
> and ended up with blisters or tendon strains, and others wound up taking a
> bus or train to keep to their schedules.  I heard it said many times, "I
> wish I could just relax and enjoy the Camino," and "If I had it to do over
> again, I'd take more time."
>
> And although the route over the Pyrenes is beautiful, it can be challenging,
> especially in sleet or snow, as happened to many of us in May.
>
> Pieter is right about Pamplona and its special ambiance.  Although I had no
> reservation, I walked into the Hotel La Perla, asked for a room "con vista",
> and, despite my muddy boots and generally frightening appearance, was given
> a wonderful room with a view of the central plaza.  Being a Hemingway fan, I
> spent a whole day there and next door at the Cafe Iruna, writing in my
> journal.
>
> Very best wishes and Buen Camino,
>
> Edie from California
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Delphia Dirks" <delphiadaEARTHLINK.NET>
> To: <GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu>
> Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2001 8:26 AM
> Subject: Re: train from Bilbao to Pamplona
>
> Thanks  Pieter.... I really do want to spend a bit of time in Pamplona also
> and maybe would be best to stay over upon arrival and go to Roncesvalles the
> next day.  I have to count my days.   I have the idea that I 'should' do the
> whole thing by going to SJPP... and walk over the mountain.   Or I could
> start in Roncesvalles.  Others have spoken of the beauty of going over the
> mountain...and I don't want to miss that, but I also want a few days in the
> end to spend in Madrid & environs.  Plus stopping along the way.  Maybe I
> should spare myself the mountain climb.  I'll see.