<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Hi everyone<BR>
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My name is Philippe, I am a 51 year Franco-Belgian national who have lived in the UK for the past 30 years ( currently, living just outside London )<BR>
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Next year, I intend to walk the Camino for the first time ( Camino Frances) , starting at Vezelay ( Burgundy ) and proceeding via Le Puy and Roncevalles.<BR>
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As you can imagine, this is a terribly exciting prospect for me.<BR>
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I would like to reach Compostela by July 24th and therefore am planning to leave Vezelay in the first part of May. This should give me about 11-12 weeks to walk these 1.000 miles at a leisurely pace ( I am moderately fit ). I will walk alone, although different friends may join me for parts of the journey at different places and different times.<BR>
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May I ask those of you who have completed this pilgrimage for your advise or observations relating to logistics and safety. Your help would be invaluable in my planning of this trip.<BR>
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1) Accomodation: <BR>
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is it easy to find pilgrims' refuges or auberges between Vezelay and Le Puy? And between Le Puy and Roncevalles ? How much should I allow to spend per night on the French part of the journey ? Are the costs different for the Spanish part?<BR>
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2) Equipment: <BR>
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Since I would like my rucksack to weigh less than 10 kilos ( 22 pounds), what items would you recommend I take over and above those listed below , bearing in mind that the climate in France in May might be variable. ( I will not list basic items such as underwear, passport, money, credit cards etc...) : <BR>
a couple of quick drying short sleeve shirts<BR>
one spare ong sleeve shirt<BR>
a spare pair of trousers <BR>
two pairs of heavy trekking socks and a light pair for evening wear<BR>
a pair of trainers<BR>
a pair of sandals<BR>
Compede anti blister <BR>
a writing pad plus pen<BR>
a knife and can / bottle opener set<BR>
a torch<BR>
two walking sticks<BR>
a towel<BR>
swimming trunks<BR>
a fleece<BR>
a thermal long sleeve T shirt for cold nights<BR>
a rain proof set of ultra light breathable jacket/ trousers <BR>
a sleeping bag <BR>
a camera <BR>
first aid kit<BR>
sun glasses<BR>
an English/ Spanish pocket dictionary<BR>
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I will walk during the day with my heavier ankle-high Berghaus walking boots and will be wearing a lightweight water resistant jacket - for the first part of the trip at least.<BR>
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3) safety: <BR>
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any warning , particularly for the French part ?<BR>
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4) Travel:<BR>
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would anyone be able to recommend the best way of getting to Vezelay from Paris?<BR>
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5) Finally, are there second hand bookshops on the way where you can exchange a book for a different one, for a small price?<BR>
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I very much appreciate your assistance, which I no doubt will be able to return after my return in July<BR>
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Thanks<BR>
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Take care<BR>
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Philippe<BR>
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