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World of Warcraft: Stabbing myself in the back
May 31, 2018 May 27, 2018 Syp1 Comment
Let's mark the time and call it: I think that, as of the end of May, I am officially done with World of Warcraft: Legion. The other night I wrapped up the final of the four pre-expansion allied race unlocks, babysitting Ms. Insecure Elf up here and ensuring the loyalty of her kin forever and ever.
With the four races, the class mounts for my two main characters, all major quest lines completed, and nothing much else to do, I've been finding myself logging in just to do routine money-making activities. Right now, I've ensured my subscription through the start of 2019, so even there I'm not feeling much motivation.
Obviously, it would make a lot of sense to spin down my time in WoW and focus on other games, and I have been doing just that. But I also figured that with nothing else to do, I might as well roll up an alt and have some harmless fun.
Love this screenshot, by the way. I can almost never get good action shots.
Anyway, meet Sypstep the Rogue. This is virgin territory for me, the first Rogue I've ever rolled up in my memory. Certainly the first in a half-decade or so. As I outlined in a previous post, I've held a grudge against the class due to memories of being ganked by many a Rogue back on PvP servers and in battleground, and also the perception that it was an overplayed class with not a lot of complexity to it.
I didn't have much to lose with this, other than a bit of time (and if I exchanged that for enjoyment and fun, so much the better. If I hated it, no worries, I could discard it whenever. And if it turned out to be something? I've found a way to pass the next two-and-a-half months in the game.
Princess! I had totally forgotten about you! When'd you get that prize ribbon, you beautiful beast you?
So far, I've clocked a few nights in with Sypstep, and it's gone a lot better than I had anticipated. It's a fast, fluid class, and I really like the whole concept of the Outlaw Rogue. It partially fills my own desire for a fencing or duelist class, and I splurged on a rapier with a blue weapon effect that I can transmog when I'm level 57 or so. The occasional use of a pistol is neat as well, and I'm very intrigued by a mid-level skill that will apparently let me charm humanoids and make me use them as five-minute pets. Temporary pets? Sure, I'll take that!
While I've rolled the most vanilla of vanilla races, a Human, it was partially out of my desire to re-experience some of my favorite old zones in the game. Westfall brought the feels — ALL the feels, even though the whole quest structure is different post-Cataclysm.
I figure that if we're sticking around at the tail end of an expansion, we have to make our own fun. And right now, this Rogue is it for me. Might not be tomorrow, but at least I'm getting outside my comfort zone in this game.
LOTRO: Spider-hunting in Mirkwood
May 30, 2018 May 27, 2018 SypLeave a comment
Free of the Elven-king's halls — at least for the time being — I made it the goal of my weekly LOTRO session to get a big multi-stage quest finished. Spoiler: I did not. In my defense, it was one of those "spread out from here to Timbuktu" quests and I had no knowledge of the area at all.
Navigating was the major issue with this play session, and it did not get easier as time went by. Not only was it nighttime, which in LOTRO can be awful dark sometimes, but both the minimap and the main map were of little help. Sometimes in dense canopies, LOTRO likes to throw up walls in the forms of small cliffs and trees that makes it difficult to figure out how to get from A to B. I spent 10 minutes following a line of rock until I found a break that let me through to a different area.
While navigating was an absolute pain, at least I was rewarded with an atmospheric tour of a spooky forest in the dead of the night. With the ambient noises, mist, and sharp shadow effects, I got drawn into this place and kept stopping to try to take screenshots. It being very dark, most didn't turn out that well.
I found some of my quest objectives but not all. This isn't Mordor, of course, but the high mob health still makes fighting a slightly-too-long affair. Long gone are the days when I could tag several mobs at once and enjoy watching my lynx take them out. Now I throw all of my spells on a mob and go hunt around the kitchen for a snack. Gonna be a while.
Just wanted to say that I was really proud of getting this particular screenshot in the middle of a battle with less than 8K health left. Dumb pet went on vacation or something.
Like many MMORPGs, LOTRO does love its giant spiders. I would almost say that it loves them more than normal, as we see these big critters across the world. I guess we should blame The Hobbit for this. Actually, this area was where Bilbo fought the giant spiders, and in one spot, blue flavor text popped up with quotes from the book.
I don't care one way or the other about giant spiders other than a slight exasperation at their overuse. I had a hard time finding enough of them to fight, as it seemed like every other one was glitched into a tree or something. Kind of felt bad for them. Come here, little fella. Syp'll take you home.
After 45 minutes of stumbling around in the dark, I called it for the night. Just wasn't that fun with the lights off and slow progress. Better luck next time!
Battle Bards Episode 121: Myst Online
The world's first, best, and only MMORPG music podcast is back to venture into a rather obscure title, Myst Online! The Battle Bards delve into this odd, atmospheric soundtrack that isn't quite like what we're used to hearing in online games. There's some love, some hate, some snark, and some indigestion. Also, we discover several of Syl's greatest fears and force her to live through them.
Intro (feat. "Spore Me," "Convergence," and "Kadish Tolesa Future Vault")
"Yeesha's Theme"
"Out of the Hive"
"K'veer"
Listener Notes: MP and Scott
Jukebox Picks: "Menu" from Pocket Mine, "Theme 3" from Doom 2016, and "City Chicks" from Pit People
Outro ("Gallery Theme")
Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM , Google Play, and Pocket Casts!
Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!
Try It Tuesday: Dauntless
May 29, 2018 May 27, 2018 Syp5 Comments
Since approximately a quarter of the world's population — according to the sky-high queue numbers — was attempting to log in to Dauntless' open beta this past weekend, I thought I would do the same. Seemed like an attractive title done by some ex-Blizzard folks, so why not? And never underestimate the draw of free-to-play, even in the grand year of 2018.
I have not understood the whole "monster hunter" genre nor partaken up to this point. If I am correct, it's essentially "Raid Boss: The Game" where all you do is fight a mega-boss… and then another… and then another. With a whole lot of action combat and some expected crafting along the way. It's like an MMO if you stripped it down to some of its lesser interesting parts.
After giving Dauntless a few hours, I am sure that I still don't quite get the appeal of these games. I was bored, antsy, and ready to be done with it.
Character creation was fine. Adequate. In a really weird move, you initially have to pick out two pre-created "ancestors" and then mold the resulting blend of the two. No matter who I picked I ended up with a severe-looking and somewhat off-putting character. At least I could amuse myself by putting facial hair on women. Yes, I am 10 years old.
The visuals and especially the characters reminded me of a slightly less good-looking Landmark. If nothing else, I miss that game for its style. Really grooved on all of that.
There weren't any classes from which to choose, so I got the default sword and eventually changed over to chain blades. Right now there are five weapon types, so I guess five "classes." Seems kind of thin to me. Would have loved a machine gun or bombs or something. Going toe-to-toe with giant monsters seems kind of suicidal to me.
As far as I could ascertain, the basic gameplay loop is this: You accept a mission to kill a giant behemoth and then are ported to a floating island containing just one of these. You and your few silent player friends run around picking flowers and trying to find the boss, sending up a flare when one of you does. Then you engage in a boss fight that lasts shy of forever. It's not helped by the fact that there is no on-screen indicator (that I could tell) informing you of how much life the boss has left. You just slash and cut and watch damage numbers go by, occasionally taking a breather to quaff a potion.
The combat, which is definitely the meat and the potatoes, is mostly fluid and involves some combos on your part and a variety of moves on the boss'. Everything's controlled by mouse, so you only have a light and heavy attack and have to do them in a certain pattern to trigger a combo. I was horrible at this, but what did it matter? Slash slash, guy's going to die one day anyway.
The combination of action combat, a boss with no health meter, and very simple moves (with no special abilities like what I would get in an MMO) quickly turned me off to the whole process. If I'm going to be clicking this much, I might as well be playing Diablo or something else that pays off with a lot more loot.
Between missions you head back to Ramsgate, the main town hub. It's quite attractive (I can't really fault the game's style and design) but there was no life to it. People just ran in, got missions and did crafting, and ported back out for the next mission.
Maybe there's something more to these types of games that I'm not getting. Maybe it's just not the kind of game for me. I can accept that. But no matter what, Dauntless was not successful in piquing my interest or retaining me as a future player.
Try It Tuesday
DDO: Sealed in Amber
Our adventures in Fantasy Transylvania continue with Sealed in Amber, a quest that seems to exist to confuse me as to the overarching storyline. I sort of get that everyone is against Strahd, but at this point I've rescued several people and ancient artifacts that were supposed to strike a blow against him, and all I've gotten for my troubles is more quests to rescue people and find ancient artifacts. Maybe I'm in the gameplay loop from hell.
Anyway, here's another quest to find some doohickey. And it's being given to me by a Dusk Elf, which you know is a good sign. Let's count down the minutes until he messes things up well and good.
Oh hey, it's Creepy Tarot Lady! She's here to give me the randomized location of the sacred doohickey. I like how the statue in the background seems to be mimicking her (or vice-versa).
So today's adventure takes place in the Amber Temple, which is a pretty big diversion from the whole Transylvania/old world feel of the expansion so far. It's almost Persian in its looks and vastly irritating in execution. Probably one of my bigger video game pet peeves is when you have to go key hunting to open certain doors to find more keys to open more doors to find keys… etc. And that's really what this quest is all about. There are four passwords hidden around, each opening certain doors. Add to that a few teleporters, several secret doors, and one room that's filled with nothing but levers, and you get a one hour and fifteen minutes of my life trying to unlock this place fully.
There are also these amber sarcophaguses (sarcophagi?) lying around, and most will talk to you. Reading the flavor text and interacting with them was the only real joy I got from the quest, as there is some neat bits of writing. They all offer an hour-long buff, but that also comes with an enemy spawn, so I gave up doing that after a while.
LEVERS! YOU MUST PULL ALL THE LEEEEVERRRRRSSS
Bored NPCs have put together a to-scale model of Castle Ravenholt. Maybe they're running their own D&D campaign in it. Ooh! Meta!
The Dusk Elf from the beginning ends up gaining the power to resurrect the dead, which he uses to bring back his long-lost sister. It's all very sudden and done without thinking things through, which should probably have happened because…
The sister is (le gasp) evil — and the proposed bride that the expansion has been hinting at for a while now. This is my not-shocked-at-all-face at seeing an elf betray us all to the vampire tyrant. Also, I was scratching my head when she said this was all part of her plan — what, to get killed, rot away to bones, and hope your brother would resurrect you so you could make another pass at Strahd?
Strahd seems momentarily intrigued by her offer of ending the curse in exchange for an Elf + Vampire theme wedding, but then he gets paranoid and kills her (again). On a separate note, I do not want to work for Strahd. Dude is high maintenance.
Some developer obviously had a good laugh at putting a chest on the ceiling. I think it's supposed to be a mimic that drops down on you, but I was fleeing from an immortal, unkillable ditzy lich at the time and couldn't stick around to see that happen.
6 dark horse MMOs that could surprise me
Following yesterday's list, today I wanted to continue to look ahead at upcoming MMOs that have piqued my interest. The six that I'm going to list here are anything but sure bets (even in this industry). They have weird concepts, unproven dev teams, or might not end up being my type of game when I actually do play them. But here we go with 6 dark horse MMO candidates!
1. Identity
I'm probably one of the few people in the world that follow this project regularly, but that's because I really do appreciate the ambition of bringing an MMO "life simulator" to bear. Might just be bland PvP in a modern setting, but I think there's a lot of potential for a contemporary MMO that allows you to live out different virtual lives.
2. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
This may well be the closest we'll ever come to an actual Harry Potter MMORPG, and the whole mobile ARG angle seems like it could work. But I wasn't that bowled over by Pokemon Go, and I don't know if I'll have the time or interest to putter around the town waving my phone at other people. Plus, we haven't heard a peep out of this project since last November.
3. Pantheon
In my opinion, too many of these upcoming MMOs are leaning hard on the crutch of PvP to fill content gaps, so any title that makes PvE a priority has my attention. I haven't held the greatest respect for this project over the last few years, but the team has stuck with it and is starting to produce an actual playable MMO. Maybe it'll be worth checking out? It's gone from a no-prospect to a possibility in my view.
4. Legends of Aria
Aria gets points in my book for making the move MORE toward an MMO over the course of its development and for a charming stylized look. Plus I'm kind of cheering on this small and scrappy team. On the minus side, lots of PvP and no huge word-of-mouth recommendations as of yet.
5. Amazon's New World
Is New World still a thing? Will this be so PvP that I might as well bury my carebear nose back in World of Warcraft? We're hearing rumblings that Amazon might be talking about this game soon, and the combination of an alternative history setting and Amazon's deep pockets and desire to prove itself could result in something worth playing. I'm very uncertain on it right now, however.
6. Chronicles of Elyria
I cannot tell you how torn I am on this project. Almost daily I go from being absolutely convinced that we're seeing a trainwreck in the making to nursing a grudging respect for the sheer vision that's at work here. In short, I like a lot of the ideas that this studio has put forth, and I also hate a lot of its ideas and think that they'll really work against the game's favor (especially selling nobility packages and putting a huge emphasis on PvP). But we haven't ever seen a development process quite like this, including creating a visual MUD to test out the core gameplay systems before the graphics are created and instituted. I don't know. I really don't know. But I'm following it.
6 upcoming MMOs that have my full attention
I tend to group online games that have my interest into three categories: MMOs I'm currently playing, MMOs I kind of want to play but have no time at the moment, and MMOs I want to play but aren't out or finished yet. Today I want to talk about that last category as I've been revising my list of my top most wanted games right now in May 2018. Which have my full interest?
1. Ashes of Creation
I still hold some reservations about this title and how it'll be able to strike a balance between the PvE and PvP halves of the game, but man, does it ever hit on so many must-have features for me including housing, a changing world, and flexible class systems. The team's been really quiet over the past half-year or so, which I attribute to running the Alpha Zero and actually making the game. I kind of wish they'd be more regular with developer diaries and videos, however.
2. Project Gorgon
You may have noticed that after a couple of sessions following the early access release, I haven't been talking about Gorgon much. That's because the framerate performance was abysmal in Serbule and I realized that as much as I like this game, it's still not quite fully baked yet. Might just be worth waiting for the full launch later this year. Plus, where are my knife-wielding faeries?
3. Peria Chronicles
Here's a title we haven't heard much about AT ALL, but what we do know is downright intriguing. It's a beautiful-looking sandbox in the vein of what EverQuest Next was supposed to be, and I really want to hear more about it and get it over to the west already.
4. Cryptic's Magic: The Gathering MMO
Speaking of titles that we know little about, apart from the initial announcement last year, we haven't heard a peep out of Cryptic's next MMO. But I know I'll be playing it, because I have a soft spot for Cryptic's games and the Magic setting seems like an untapped (har har) field for MMOs.
5. Dual Universe/Worlds Adrift
I can't really separate these two games in my head, as they're both competing for the same area of my attention. Make your own ships, explore worlds/islands, have a blast. Worlds Adrift just came out on early access and Dual Universe is coming along nicely. Both might be a nice change of pace from my normal MMO, and I'm rooting for both to succeed.
6. City of Titans/Valiance Online/Ship of Heroes
We need a hero. A superhero. Scratch that, a superhero MMORPG — and thank goodness that there are three of them in the making. I'm always concerned about smaller indie projects, because without deep pockets and resources, they seem at a disadvantage to really making it. But three of them? Chances are that one will be decent (fingers crossed), and I'm really jonesing for City of Heroes-style gameplay as of late.
Tune in tomorrow, when I continue this list with six dark horse MMOs that could surprise us all!
LOTRO: I was a teenage Elf janitor
Because this is the only good thing I have for this past weekend's LOTRO adventures, let me put it up front: Northern Mirkwood, from what I have seen so far, is flat-out amazing. It's just a huge forest that makes me feel small and like an actual explorer. The devs really struck on a great environment here, and I can't wait to scout around more of it.
With my computer repaired, I spent an entire evening reloading programs and MMORPGs. Did you know that MMOs are big? They're big. I kind of forget that when I'm not loading up new ones every day, but just try doing about six in a row. They're huuuuuge. And LOTRO is no slouch here. Even after I had it fully patched up, the game kept crashing on me because I had DirectX 12 and not 9. Because of COURSE you need 9, since this is 2009 or something. Had to install the whole ancient DirectX suite on my computer just to get this MMO running again. Ah well. At least I got LOTRO on my SSD, which is a first for me. Having it load quicker is worth it.
But while I wanted to spend the evening romping around Mirkwood, I had a few quests left in the Halls of the Elven-king that needed finishing. Seriously, it would bug me to no end to leave them unfinished. Plus, I'm not in a rush, so let's try to be as completionist as possible here.
Oh hey, Legolas has moved back in with his dad. You'd think he'd be a king in his own right after helping to save the world, but nope, he's a college student coming home to bum off of his parents for a while.
By the way, SSG? You think you could afford an afternoon or two with your artists to upgrade the visuals on your major characters? The whole painted-on faces is embarrassing when it comes to the members of the Fellowship.
It was here in the underground caves that I met this dolt and was reminded all over again why Elves are a bottomless well of pain and suffering. I'm outright convinced that this whole quest chain was devised by a developer who knew that one day I might play this zone and wanted to see what fresh hell he or she could make for me.
So. There's a harpist who is TOO BUSY with his "music" to go about throwing a party for all of the Elves just hanging around. Guess who he gets to do it? Why, it's Mr. Gullible Traveler! And so the next hour of my life unfolds as I go around doing his busy work.
Said busy work involved flower picking (because it's Elves and of COURSE there is flower picking, it's 2018 and we've cast the One Ring into Mt. Doom and WE ARE STILL PICKING FLOWERS FOR ELVES IN THIS GAME). I assure you, I am the type of person who is actually screaming out loud when I type in all caps.
But are flowers enough for a grand party? No! I must get wine and then personally run around handing it out to Elves, getting them good and sauced. Listen, they're Elves in a cave. They don't have that much to do, and there's a huge cellar not two minutes' walk down the hallway with all of the wine in the world. But they're too lazy — this should be unsaid, as they're Elves — and it's up to me to fulfill this important mission.
As I'm curled up on the ground, mewing for this quest to be over… nope. Now I must DANCE WITH THE ELVES. I want "Dances With Elves" on my gravestone. Yet again, I wish LOTRO had a sort of quest choice system or branching dialogue or any way other than outright refusing a quest to lodge a complaint against what's being done. If I could have stuffed those flowers up the harpist's nose, poured the wine over the heads of seven elves, and kicked the rest in the shins, that would have been the best quest ever. And I wouldn't even care if my reputation took a hit.
At this point, I want to stress that I'm not making up the particulars of this long, pointless quest. It gets better:
I am at a loss.
So that harpist's actual day job is that of an Elf janitor. But he is TOO LAZY to actually do his job after that exhausting hour of making me set up a party and he falls asleep. Then the game's quest text says, with as straight of a face as it could muster, that it would be really peachy keen if I went around mopping up Elf puke for my new "friend."
You think I'm joking? That I'm exaggerating? I HAVE ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF:
This? This right here is why I loathe Elves to the very bottom of my being. Just haughty little rich snobs drunk on their love for trees and vomiting without a care in the world. Because they know that their groupies will come along sooner or later to clean up their sick.
If you wanted to know, the end to all of this was pretty much nothing. Just some XP and tokens and that's it. What, no follow-up quest where I go around presenting my backside in case an Elf wanted to wipe off the dirt from his otherwise-immaculate boot? Wasted opportunity, that.
World of Warcraft on a five-year-old laptop
I did not have the best of weeks last week.
It all started Sunday, when I came home from work and my wife told me that she was having a hard time accessing World of Warcraft, as it would just hang a lot. I noticed that my hard drive kept spinning up to 100% and staying there, especially when programs were open, and so began a multi-day investigation into the situation.
I tried out a few things, but nothing seemed to help. Meanwhile, the situation got worse, as various programs stopped working and I got a message from the system kindly informing me that a hard drive failure was imminent. That sent me to the local computer store, where they confirmed that my HD was shot. While they were able to recover my data and transfer it to a new hard drive, it put me out of operation for a few days and racked up a healthy bill.
This all meant that my gaming time last week was quite low and infrequent, obviously. Whenever my main computer goes out of operation, I have to resort to my five-year-old laptop. Now, let me sing praises for this laptop — it really has been one of the best machines I've ever owned. I spent no more than $600 on it back before my third child was born, and it's functioned as my travel and work computer ever since. I chose it because it had a nice big 17″ screen and an AMD chip for gaming. Nothing super fancy, but you'd be amazed how many games I've gotten to work on this over the years.
But as it has been aging and my spare gaming time shrinking, I really haven't used it for gaming much at all. At least, until last week. I booted up World of Warcraft on it for the first time in many years, and even though these specs are far below the current recommended, it worked fine. Worked even better, in fact, when I lowered all the settings. Had something like a decent 30 FPS going on, more than enough to do my dailies and mess around with the auction house.
Now that I've gotten both of my class mounts (DK and Hunter) and am on the verge of finishing up the last rep grind for the Void Elves, I'm really starting to turn my attention over to my Warlock. She's got more than enough to do to fill two months between now and the pre-expansion patch, but the question is how much is really necessary. Probably not much. Technically, I could take her into BFA right now if it launched and not have to worry about progression, as long as there was a way to leapfrog the rest of the Legion storyline and start into the next expansion.
But I'd like to spend some time with her, get reacquainted, and maybe do a final tour of the Broken Isles before it becomes truly obsolete.
I find that on slower and older computers, ranged and pet classes are a godsend. You don't have to fret so much with positioning and precise timing of attacks, just send your meatshield out and jam on a few keys. Warlock lifestyle was always somewhat relaxed to me.
And even though it was a bummer about my computer, I try to take such breaks with good cheer. Always a good excuse to get in some more reading and writing, not to mention family time. And better than the hard drive break now than in a couple of months when I'll really need it.
Probably the best part of this mess is that I'm upgrading to a SDD for my OS and gaming, and relying on the 3TB mechanical hard drive for media storage and other programs.
Novel: But is it GOOD?
The day that I write this, I have crossed the 75,000 word mark on my fantasy novel. I've been writing it since early March, springing out of an idea that became the first couple of chapters that became part of my daily routine. Rain or shine, cruddy day or happy one, busy or laid back, I make it an ironclad goal to get in 1,000 new words.
Some days that means just fitting it in during my lunch break. Other days, I'm writing feverishly before I fall asleep or lugging my little Chromebook around while hauling the kids here and there. I've written two paragraphs while standing at the checkout counter waiting for a hairstylist to ring me out. I've endured a few questioning looks at my kid's swim class when people saw "CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE" pop up on my screen.
It's been a bizarre, breathtaking, and incredible experience so far. I never really thought, outside of NaNoWriMo, that I would actually write a book… but here I am. I have never, ever written a single piece of fiction this long. I'm on the edge of my seat, worried and wondering if I'll be able to land the whole story in the next month as I aim for 100,000 words.
I haven't shown anyone it yet. My wife has been remarkably patient considering how much curiosity she's had over this novel, but perhaps she's just glad I'm writing. After all, she's been encouraging me to write books for years now. My daughter, the reader, is the most interested and keeps trying to sneak peeks at my screen. Not yet, I say. Wait until it's done.
I'm having a great time doing it. I'm proud, in the good-kind-of-proud way, of what's come out of me. Compared to my previous attempts at fiction, this one actually has more structure, flows better, and isn't a mad-dash scramble to come up with crazy scenarios. Every day when I sit down to write, I honestly don't know where the story is going to go. Oh, I have a general idea, but so very often the tale takes a turn away from me because it's what needs to happen. It's what the characters would do. I don't fight it or force it, I just go with it and continue to ride the wave while guiding it in a loose way. I've been surprised countless times at what has happened — how a throwaway character became one of my main cast, how this fictional world has taken shape, how loose plot threads were resolved.
But while the experience of writing it is quite ducky, I'm gnawing off my fingernails because I can't stop asking the question, "Is it good?" I think so? But I'm both too close to the material and too hard on myself. I hope it's good. It's not Tolkien or Martin or anywhere near the level of popular fiction writers today. There are many rough spots that need smoothing and reworking. I'm going to plan for at least two rounds of revisions before I even think about showing it to others.
I hope it's good. I would love to entertain others as much as this has entertained me. But it might not be a book for everyone. There's practically no fighting, for starters. I don't think I've written a single fight scene in those 75,000 words. Not much in the way of romance or evil empires or children of prophecy, either. It's a fantasy world, yes, but a much more grounded one than I had originally envisioned.
There's no part of me secretly hoping that this will be a best-seller, but published? Maybe. Again, I have to see when it's done. I have to do drafts and evaluate and have others read it to give me feedback. I already have ideas for a sequel, but that's really getting ahead of myself.
I don't want it to be good because the praise would boost my ego. I want it to be good because I want it to be good. I want someone to pick up this novel and be drawn into it, wanting to find out what happens next all the way through the final chapter. So I'm going to ride that bucking bronco of a story to the end, and hopefully then I'll be able to look back and see a good thing standing behind me.


text:
package com.blazeloader.event.mixin.common;

import org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.Interface;
import org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.Mixin;
import org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.gen.Invoker;
import org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.At;
import org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.Inject;
import org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.callback.CallbackInfoReturnable;

import com.blazeloader.api.privileged.IWorld;
import com.blazeloader.bl.interop.ForgeWorldAccess;
import com.blazeloader.event.handlers.EventHandler;
import com.blazeloader.event.handlers.InternalEventHandler;
import com.blazeloader.util.time.WorldClock;

import net.minecraft.block.state.IBlockState;
import net.minecraft.entity.Entity;
import net.minecraft.util.math.BlockPos;
import net.minecraft.world.World;

@Mixin(World.class)
@Interface(iface = IWorld.class, prefix = "wd")
public abstract class MWorld implements ForgeWorldAccess, IWorld {

	public double MAX_ENTITY_RADIUS;

	private WorldClock clock;

	@Override
	public double getMaxEntitySize(double def) {
		return MAX_ENTITY_RADIUS;
	}

	@Override
	public void setMaxEntitySize(double size) {
		MAX_ENTITY_RADIUS = size;
	}

	@Invoker("isValid")
	public abstract boolean isCoordValid(BlockPos pos);

	@Invoker("isOutsideBuildHeight")
	public abstract boolean wd$isOutsideBuildHeight(BlockPos pos);

	@Override
	public WorldClock getWorldClock() {
		if (clock == null) clock = new WorldClock((World)(Object)this);
		return clock;
	}

	@Inject(method = "setBlockState(Lnet/minecraft/util/math/BlockPos;Lnet/minecraft/block/state/IBlockState;I)Z", at = @At("HEAD"), cancellable = true)
	private void onSetBlockState(BlockPos pos, IBlockState state, int flag, CallbackInfoReturnable<Boolean> info) {
		EventHandler.eventSetBlockState(info, (World)(Object)this, pos, state);
	}

	@Inject(method = "spawnEntity(Lnet/minecraft/entity/Entity;)Z", at = @At("HEAD"), cancellable = true)
	private void onSpawnEntityInWorld(Entity entity, CallbackInfoReturnable<Boolean> info) {
		EventHandler.eventSpawnEntityInWorld(info, (World)(Object)this, entity);
	}

	@Inject(method = "canBlockFreeze(Lnet/minecraft/util/math/BlockPos;Z)Z", at = @At("HEAD"), cancellable = true)
	private void internalCanBlockFreeze(BlockPos pos, boolean noWaterAdj, CallbackInfoReturnable<Boolean> info) {
		InternalEventHandler.eventCanBlockFreeze((World)(Object)this, pos, noWaterAdj, info);
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Stopped by here on a business trip. What a great meal. The service was also fantastic! I highly recommend the Lobster Salad Roll.
Delish sandwiches and lunches/soups/salads with generous portions. Great service and faire prices. Love the pulled pork and cheddar grilled sandwich. With choice of sides!
I have only been her once, but I will return. Best burger I have had this year! The staff in this restaurant is very good and professional.
Best beef stew I have eaten in a restaurant. Fried chicken was crispy without being greasy at all. Portion sizes are generous. Highly recommend.
Get quick answers from Tavern 292 staff and past visitors.
Better call them as I have no idea. We went there in the summer. Happy Thanksgiving.
what time do you open today 6/24/17. some of your sites say 2:00 some say 1:00.


Tiago Oradea shopping centre is another point on the list of projects in partnership with Ostwick and Williams Chartered Architects and Town Planning Consultants. The centre is within the limits of Oradea City, in a commercial area with all the necessary supplies.
The mall consists of five sections joined by a traffic area – the gallery which houses the shops of various sizes, a supermarket, a furniture store, a household equipment shop, a food court and a cinema area.
The volumes resume the flow and spatiality of the environment, water and green area. This set-up of the space will ensure an area with trees and a green area, thus providing the necessary comfort for the residents.


text:
Gujarat Fortunegiants Enter Final, Thrash Bengal Warriors 42-17
A solid all-round performance by rampant Gujarat Fortunegiants saw them reach the final of Pro Kabaddi Season 5
News18 Sports
Updated:October 24, 2017, 10:46 PM IST
Gujarat Fortunegiants in action in the Pro Kabaddi League. (PKL Images)
New Delhi: A solid all-round performance by rampant Gujarat Fortunegiants saw them reach the final of Vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 5 as they hammered Bengal Warriors 42-17. Almost everyone chipped in with vital contributions as Gujarat Fortunegiants were relentless in their pursuit of a place in the final. Sachin led the raiding charts with 9 points and was ably supported by Mahendra Rajput who scored eight points.
In defence, Abozar Mighani and Parvesh Bainswal scored four points apiece. It was a disappointing night for Bengal Warriors as they produced a terrible display in the second half and could score just seven points. Both Maninder Singh and Jang Kun Lee couldn't deliver when it mattered the most and scored just one point each.
Gujarat Fortunegiants scored two raid points in the first two minutes to lead 2-0. Deepak Narwal opened Bengal Warriors' account in the third minute with a raid point. Gujarat raiders got a couple of easy points as they led 6-3 after six minutes. Jang Kun Lee scored his first raid point in the 7th minute as Bengal Warriors trailed 4-6.
Mahendra Rajput was in fine raiding form for Gujarat and scored bulk of the points in the first 10 minutes to give his team 9-6 lead. Bengal Warriors forced a super tackle in the 15th minute as they trailed 9-11. Rajput scored with another raid in the 18th minute as Gujarat Fortunegiants led 13-10 at the end of the first half.
Gujarat Fortunegiants began the second half in storming fashion and inflicted an all out in the 22nd minute to lead 19-10. In the first six minutes of the second half, Gujarat scored nine points without any reply from Warriors as they led 22-10 after 26 minutes. Bengal Warriors forced a super tackle in the 27th minute to get their first points of the second half.
Rajput got a two-point raid in the 29th minute to give Gujarat 26-13 lead. Bengal Warriors were looking down and out and suffered another all out in the 31st minute to trail 13-29. In ten minutes of the second half, they could score just three points. Their two main players -- Maninder Singh and Jang Kun Lee -- had scored just two points in 30 minutes and it proved to be their downfall.
Gujarat Fortunegiants went on a rampage in the last 10 minutes as they inflicted an all out in the 36th minute to lead 38-16. Such was Gujarat's dominance in the second half that they allowed Bengal to score just seven points in the second half. Gujarat Fortunegiants ran out comfortable winners in the end as they had a 25-point winning margin.
Gujarat Fortunegiants vs Bengal Warriors
Pro Kabaddi League 2017
| Edited by: Madhav Agarwal

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Categories Columnists Issues
Pandemic v. Protestors
# Opinion # Conservative # government # supreme-court # pandemic
Star Parker
Shutterstock/Abscent
Decent Americans who are feeling perplexed today shouldn't be ashamed about it. There is good reason to be perplexed.
On the one hand, in the name of health and safety, we are being asked by government to compromise personal freedoms that we have always taken for granted: going to work, going to church, sending our children off to school, meeting our friends in our favorite restaurant.
We walk around wearing annoying masks and try to respect social distancing limits.
But decent Americans are perplexed because we would expect that allowing more government into our personal space would happen uniformly, that in allowing more government, we are all sacrificing together for some greater good, some greater necessity.
But instead, we look around and see chaos. We see no uniformity.
Protests, often violent, are sweeping our cities. The same public officials who tell us to keep our kids at home; who tell us to not pray in church, as we have always prayed; who limit our places of work and livelihood look the other way, often with approval, as hooligans tear apart our cities.
Greater demands from government should mean increasing respect for the law.
But we're seeing the opposite: government making more demands while disrespect for the law increases across the nation.
We just saw a decision in the nation's Supreme Court where a Nevada church petition to be treated equally to Nevada's casinos regarding COVID-19 attendance limits was rejected with no explanation.
Justice Samuel Alito got to the heart of the matter in his dissenting opinion, saying: "For months now, States and their subdivisions, have responded to the pandemic by imposing unprecedented restrictions on personal liberty, including free exercise of religion. ... Now four months have passed since the original declaration. The problem is no longer one of exigency, but one of considered yet discriminatory treatment of places of worship."
"Calvary Chapel has also brought to our attention," continued Alito, "evidence that the Governor has favored certain speakers over others. When large numbers of protestors openly violated provisions of the Directive, such as the rule against groups of more than 50 people, the Governor not only declined to enforce the directive but publicly supported and participated in a protest."
I am looking at a photograph of a mass of protestors marching, shoulder to shoulder, through the streets of Oakland, California, this in the same state that is limiting church attendance to 25% capacity and prohibiting singing in church.
In May, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge by South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista, California, to the state's restrictions on church attendance. Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted in his dissent that secular businesses like supermarkets, restaurants and hair salons are not subject to the same restrictions as houses of worship.
A group of Orthodox Jewish Americans sued the New York governor and New York City mayor for lack of uniformity in gathering limits between houses of worship, and secular business activity, protests and demonstrations.
Going hand in hand with the rioting and violence is a nationwide surge in crime.
The Wall Street Journal reports increases in homicides in Milwaukee, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Kansas City.
At the same time, there is violence and damage from protesters in Seattle, Portland and Louisville.
We can't have a free and civil society without law. And law means nothing if we can't agree on what the law is and if it is not applied uniformly. Politics needs to follow law. Today's chaos is symptomatic of law following politics.
Well-intentioned citizens cannot sacrifice their freedom in an environment like this.
We must take the initiative to open our schools, our churches and our businesses.
Amidst the chaos, citizens need to take control of their own lives. They have a civic duty to do it. It will help the nation and its recovery.
Last updated: July 28th, 2020 at 14:07 pm
Copyright 2020 Creators.com Distributed by Creators.com.
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text:
Corbett facing uphill battle
October 28, 2014, 6:25 pm 0 Edit
As Election Day nears, it appears Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (right) is facing an uphill battle against Democratic challenger Tom Wolf. (Photos by Mark Makela/Reuters/Newscom)
As Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett continues to trail his Democratic opponent, Tom Wolf, in the polls, Jewish Pittsburgh seems to be following the rest of the state in favoring the challenger.
A vote for Wolf, however, may actually be more aptly described as a vote against Corbett in this election year, according to Kristin Kanthak, associate professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh and the co-editor of "State Politics and Policy Quarterly."
"I think right now what's happening in Pennsylvania is what's happening across the country," Kanthak noted. "People are just upset and angry. Just look at the national polls and the polls in Pennsylvania. People are unhappy with the way the country's going."
Recent polls by Rasmussen Reports, CBS News and the Associated Press all show that more than 65 percent of Americans think that the country is going in the wrong direction. In Pennsylvania, the most current polls by CBS News, The New York Times and YouGov show Wolf leading Corbett by 13 percentage points.
Voters are feeling "a lot of frustration," Kanthak said.
"In Pittsburgh, that frustration is being aimed at the Republicans," she continued, "although nationwide, it will be a bad year for the Democrats. People are just really unhappy with Tom Corbett."
Discourse concerning the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race is being driven in large part by the campaigns themselves, Kanthak said, because most voters are not well informed about the issues. Because Wolf has been able to deliver a campaign message against Corbett that voters can use to validate their general frustration, Wolf is ahead in the polls, she said.
"Most of what voters learn is in the context of a campaign," Kanthak explained. "Now we have a well-funded Democratic candidate who can put meat on the bones of voter frustration. Wolf's campaign has been able to set the message for this election."
Another problem for Corbett, Kanthak said, is the voters' difficulty relating to him.
"Corbett never could break through with voters and be a person that voters could feel warmly about," she said. "He's had some missteps that make it seem like he's out of touch with normal voters. And voters want to vote for a candidate like them.
"We see it in the polls," Kanthak continued. "Corbett has never been able to send that kind of message, 'I care about people like you.' Wolf seems to be able to do that. And his ads are resonating with voters in a way that they wouldn't have if people hadn't had this frustration with Corbett."
Many Jewish voters say they believe Corbett has cut education spending and that they are frustrated with those cuts.
"I'm voting for Wolf," said Naomi Grodin, owner of Grodin Professional Simulators, a company that provides role players for educational, assessment and customer service training programs. "It's not so much that I am voting for Wolf, but it's against Corbett, because I hate what he did with education. So many teachers lost their jobs; so many school districts lost funding. … If we don't support and promote education, we don't have any future."
This sentiment was echoed by several shoppers at Murray Avenue Kosher in Squirrel Hill on Monday morning.
"I will be voting for Wolf," said Rosalie Anstandig, a retired teacher. "I'm not pleased with what Corbett did for us, especially in education. And I'm a Democrat."
Others said they would vote against Corbett because they perceive he favors big business over the common man.
In more than an hour of questioning patrons at the kosher market Monday, not a single definitive Corbett voter could be found, although several people said they had not made up their minds.
Both Corbett and Wolf have demonstrated support for issues that are historically important to the Jewish community. In just the last few months, Corbett has signed into law a Holocaust and genocide education bill as well as an anti-terror bill prohibiting companies that invest in Iranian energy-related activities from entering into certain procurement contracts in Pennsylvania. And Wolf, though not Jewish, has been one of the biggest donors to the York Jewish Community Center and even co-chaired its capital campaign.
In separate interviews with Philadelphia's Jewish Exponent, the candidates spoke of what they would tackle during the next four years in Harrisburg.
Wolf, who used the opportunity to reiterate his criticism of Corbett for having cut $1 billion in funding to public education, said he would increase education funding in part through a severance tax on natural gas extraction, by accepting federal Medicaid disbursements and by considering "whether we should" be "spending less on prison." (He said he would push to decriminalize marijuana as one step toward that goal.)
Corbett, meanwhile, blamed the administration of Gov. Ed Rendell for the $1 billion education shortfall, claiming that the previous governor used federal stimulus funding in the place of state funding and that federal money had run out by the time he took office.
"I don't think there's any argument as to who created the problem," said Corbett. "The prior administration created the problem."
Corbett wants to move forward on a proposed asset test that would cut down on "waste, fraud and abuse" in state entitlement programs and calls the rising cost of teachers' pensions the largest problem facing Pennsylvania schools.
Andrew Neft, a financial adviser who supports Corbett, cited taxes and gun control as issues influencing him.
"I can't vote for someone who wants to raise our taxes but can't tell us how much he is going to raise them," Neft said. "The less money in my pocket I have to spend, the less I have to put back into the economy. And I understand that Wolf is anti-Second Amendment. We don't need gun control; we need criminal control."
Jewish voters who are undecided are advised "to study both candidates and vote for the candidate that best represents them, their families and their communities," said Hank Butler, executive director of the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition, which educates state officials about issues of concern to Jewish Federations and their constituents.
The Jewish Exponent contributed to this story. Toby Tabachnick can be reached at tobyt@thejewishchronicle.net.


El Camino de Santiago del Norte is a very quiet and nice route of special natural beauty. Its topography is very different to El Camino de Santiago Frances which makes it a different experience. El Camino del Norte follows the North coast of Spain, from the French border in Irun, along the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and finally Galicia region where the town of Santiago de Compostela is.
El Camino del Norte is a very hilly and sometimes mountainous way with impressive scenarios such as the Picos de Europa in Asturias which the pilgrim can see on his left as he walks along the cliffs in the coast. In El Camino del Norte there are many opportunities to have a bath or to relax in small solitary beaches of clean turquoise water or simply enjoy the view of the sea and the waves hitting the rocks in the cliffs.
Following you can see a table with a brief overview of El Camino de Santiago del Norte giving some information of, in my opinion, its pros and cons in order to help to those who are still doubful about what Camino to walk. You can also visit caminosdelnorte.com for more details, videos, photos and information about El Camino de Santiago del Norte.
arrows or scallop shell) Enough in overall although sometimes there may be a lack of markings for a while which makes it easy to get lost if you don't pay attention. In the region of Galicia (last 200 km) the signaling is excellent. Excellent signaling all the way.
Path Sometimes you are walking on paved roads which may be useful to avoid the mud but it harms and burn the feet and joints much more than the natural paths. No paved roads in Galicia. Most of the times you are walking on non-paved roads and natural paths.
Pilgrims' hostels–Albergues Most of them are very basic and small (around 20 beds) and sometimes they are very distant between each others (sometimes more than 30 km).
Good quality in Galicia. In general, they have better quality although you may find some too big (i.e. 150 – 200 beds). Normally, there is an albergue or more in every village (every 10 km aprox.).
Number of pilgrims. Rarely more that 30 starting a day during summer which is the busiest period. Although lately it is becoming more and more popular very quickly. This is a good choice if you want to walk alone. In summertime, there may be far more than 200 pilgrims starting everyday which makes it very busy but also you get to know many interesting people.
In summer, warm but not hot in the days and cool in the nights. You may get some clouds and rain but in overall the temperature is perfec for walking and the weather is lovely.
The rest of the year, very rainy and cool.
If you don't like to walk under a burning sun in summer, this may be your best choice.
Best time of the year: July and August. From May to October, very dry and hot during daytime (it often reaches more than 40 degrees celsius at noon in July and August) although it may be chilly during the nights.
In winter time, very cold (bellow 0 Celsius is very common).
With the exception of Galicia (last 150km) which has a Atlantic weather similar to El Camino del Norte.
If you don't like a cloudy sky but prefer a bright blue one with a big sun above you, this may be your best choice.
Best time of the year: From May to October, especially May, June and September.
Nature and landscape. High snowed mountains on one side and the sea on the other side. Very green and full of forests. Many nice beaches that have escaped the civilization and tourism where you can have a pleasant bath. It is really a natural paradise. Very varied. Firstly, you have to cross the high mountains range – Pyrenees – which is full of forests and green prairies.
Then, in Navara and Rioja regions, the landscape is hilly and full of vineyards (people usually says it is very similar to Tuscany landscape).
Afterwards, in the region of Castilla, the landscape becomes completely flat (it is a high plateau around 900 metres above sea level). It is full of cereal and sunflower fields. It is very desertic and isolated but very charming.
Then, in Leon province it becomes hilly and green again with more vineyards and forests.
And finally in Galicia, it is full of forests and green prairies again.
Art Many interesting beautiful cities and towns very rich in art. San Sebastian, Bilbao, Castrourdiales, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera, Llanes, Rivadesella, Villaviciosa, Gijon, Luarca, Mondonedo. Unique cities, cathedrals and castles all along the way. Just to mention some of them: Pamplona, Estella, Logrono, Najera, Sto. Domingo de la Calzada, Burgos, Fromista, Carrion de los Condes, Leon, Astorga, Ponferrada. It is a museum as a whole with the best romanic art in Europe. You can find unbelieable pieces of art in every little village.
nomy Very varied and excellent. Very varied and excellent.
Wines Not so rich in wines as El Camino Frances but cyder in Asturias is nearly a religion and there I have drunk the best natural cyder ever. Excellent wines all allong the way. La Rioja, Navarra, Bierzo, Ribeiro and Albarino are the most famous. You can find unbelievable cheap wines of the best quality.
Cost Around 30-35 euro a day. A budget of around 25-30 euro a day.
I did Paris to Santiago by el camino del norte and back to France by camino Frances.
You can send me a mail if anyone like more information.
Pierre, that sounds like an excellent trip! Please can you advise, how long did it take, approximate budget, and what season / time of year did you go?
Yes, I plan on going next year. I have been considering, the norte, Frances, and primitivo. Unsure about starting points. You walked from Paris? How long did that take? I was thinking about Bayonne, should that be possible. I just started serious research. I'm interested in how many km you covered a day & how long your routes took?
Merci Pierre. I am planning a possible trip via the Camino del Norte, however I suffer from a fear of heights and sheer drops along a path make me vertiginous. So, I wonder if the Camino along the coast will have too many sheer drops too near the path for comfort fo me. I so appreciate any counsel you're able to give regarding it.
Hi Pierre, Wow! I did Camino Frances last August -September 2016. I plan to do the Del Norte next month starting from Irun.
Which were toughest or most challenging along the Del Norte? How about the lower number of albergues and distances between villages/towns that have them?
That sounds amazing. One my future plans.
Than you for your information and have a great day.
I'm taking the Camino Frances in June and was thinking of continuing on, in a loop back up the Camino Norte to its end (start) point in Irun. Can you tell me anything about this being a good or bad idea? Am I crazy?!
Hello, yes love your opinion! Im taking a group of ladies with me and although challange should be part of it i want to see how challenging itcan really be. We will take it from gijon and will have a caravan to sleep and be rescue when absolutely needed.
Hi Greg, a response to your query . . .
I completely agree with Paul. If when you get to Arzua you still have time you may choose to skip the last part since you have already done it and walk from Santiago to Finisterre instead.
I have just seen your messages and thought i'd leave a note.
I plan on spending 6 or seven days (including transfers from UK) completing part of the norte. I like the sound of your above description and was hoping you might be able to offer me some help.
I would love the scenery to be as dramatic as possible (I love the coast and mountains) and I would like it to be relatively isolated and as far from highways as possible. I don't feel the need to end my journey in Santiago de Compostela.
I am in my mid 30's and very fit and active.
I am planning to travel in March of 2015.
You don't give yourself a lot of time! However, depending upon where you are proposing to access the Camino, there are various possibilities. But, to be away from highways (as you put it), you really need to look to Galicia. However, if you fly in/out Santander, and then bus to San Vincente de la Barquera, the route passes through some very pleasant countryside and you have delightful views of the coast on one hand and, on the other, the Picos. If you stride out you could make it to Pola de Siero (then local bus to Oviedo to avoid road walking) – excellent alberge in Pola (with superb sideria restaurant opposite!) and from Oviedo Alsa bus back to Santander. This is just a suggestion but, whatever, I wish you well!
Buen Camino! as they say.
What you decide is, of course, up to you but, I must admit, that the section you mention is, for me, the least attractive – in terms of natural scenery. There are, though, some splendid coastal sections between these two towns and, strange as it may sound, urban sections, for me, can also prove very interesting.
Incidentally, Alsa bus do some good deals – with advance bookings – I have found.
Wish you all the best Paul…so wish I was going too!
You are an amazing person Paul..how many kms did you average a day?
We walked from Irune to Portugalete last year in June , it was very pleasant weather but it was very difficult to find the way at times due to poor markings . It was more expensive than the French route overall so you would need to budget for an extra 20 euro per day ( my opinion ) . It seemed to me that this route is not geared up as well as the French Camino especially in early Basque country section… BUT Im going back again this year as I really enjoyed it.
I am arriving March 12, 2015 to start my camino. I am trying to decide between Frances and del Norte. I understand the northern route has more rain. Does anyone have any wisdom to offer. Also, I want to have wifi along the way.
I think both routes are nice for cycling, each on its way. As a general route you will always get more rain in the Norte route, that's a fact. But it has many pros as well, the landscape and nature being one of them. I know at the begining in the Basque country the roads are not so good, but after that they improve, I haven't cycled the Norte route myself but my friend has and he was very happy. Another thing to take in to account is that it'll be a bit more expensive, and regarding the wifi you shouldn't have any problem.
For me, the Frances route has become far too commercialised and does tend to get very busy. The Norte route is quieter but has fewer alberges. Incidentally, when it comes to accommodation, always haggle over price at a hostal/hotel – invariably they will knock a few euros off for pilgrims. Both routes can be wet – especially as you get further west. Regarding wi-fi, I cannot comment. I tend to be something of a minimalist, carry very little (less than 12kg) and seek out a shop/market for incidentals en route.
That's my input, although possibly low on the wisdom scale!
Hi Paul, were you able to make it to sheltered accommodation each night or do y recommend packing a tent?
Hi vicki. I'd only suggest taking a tent if you want to camp. "Sheltered accommodation" is readily available but you do need to plan ahead – making use of a reliable guide, such as published by the CSJ. Always have some basic provisions with you, I recommend, should you arrive at a centre where there is no/little food available or in case of an emergency. I've just spent ten days on the Camino Primitivo (hence my delay in responding) where many shops/bars have now closed but, at the end of each day, I had no problem finding food available. You'll find the same on the Camino Norte but, as I say, do plan ahead!
Hey, first of all- thank you for all the information! Great website.
I want to know if you have any tips for my plan: starting at the camino frances till Burgos. from there I would like to go to picos del europa and to get back on camino del norte some how.
I'm starting the Camino Del Norte at the beginning of May and I am worried about the hostel/refugios/aubergios in which I can sleep. I looked at the caminosantiago.org website and there is not that amount of places to sleep that are referred there. Can you reassure me about the way to find them? Is there another website or is it "on the spot" kinda thing?
Cath, did you find out anymore helpful information? I am leaving in the next couple days and considering doing the Norte instead of the Frances path.
we fly to san sabastian on april 30 and want to go sw to the comino de frances. is there a connecting route ?
Do you know where I can purchase a map of El Camino Del Norte?
I have a question about a northern trip I will be taking May 2015. It loooks as if the northern route does not go through the Pyrenees. Is it possible to do some hiking in the Pyrenees before I begin the actual trail?
Hi, I'm considering doing the 'northern way' from 21st September to October… Should I rather do the more common route at that time as I am concerned about the weather?
Hi Fellow Pilgrims, Can I respond to the four above questions by saying that a little research (typically online) will provide the answers to your queries.
Don: yes there is a connecting route (sometimes referred to as the "tunnel" route).
Edy: no need to buy a special map – download maps of stages from the internet (I've given a helpful address above) or purchase a guide (as published by the CSJ).
Susan: a walking holiday in the Pyrenees is very different to undertaking a pilgrimage; suggest you simply do one or the other.
Kendyll: whenever you go and whichever route you take you must prepared for all types of weather! Also, do work on the basis that additional clothing items can (usually) quite easily be purchased en route.
Thank you Paul. I appreciate your advice. I will be in Spain for 90 days and I think I will have extra time. Maybe I will visit the Pyrenees after I finish the trek.
For first time pilgrims to the Camino, what is the best route for 14-15 days? We are planning next June (2016).
We would like to walk some of the Basque country, but the full Norte will take too long for us. Any suggestions?
The key to a successful (and enjoyable) pilgrimage is preparation. And you have plenty of time for that! Do your research on the route you want to take, where you want to stop (and maybe stay for a day), what you need to wear and carry, and so on. There are plenty of good sources – online and hardcopy. Having said that, given the number of days you state, you might want to look at the Camino del Norte section from Irun to Santander. But, a couple of tips, don't be too ambitious in terms of how far you want to walk overall, and, be prepared to adjust your schedule as you go along.
Hi, in reply to all the apprehensive first timers I would recommend doing part of the Frances to gain Camino experience. Also buy the John Brierly guide as this is invaluable. I speak from experience of doing the whole Camino from St Jean (France ) to Muxia out beyond Finistere. Be warned you will fall in love with this walk and return and return…….
This July I am planning to do a 10- 14day hike along the Camino .
Since I have heard that July is a busy month, it seems a good idea to do the Camino del Norte. Now I was wondering; do I have to prepare my steps. The reason I ask this, is that I love to go somewhere unprepared and see how far I will walk, but only if it is safe and pleasant ofcourse. I will carry my own luggage. However, do I need to book the auberges in advance (to be sure to have a place to stay), or plan ahead how many km I will walk per day, or bring enough food for 2/3 days. Do I need to bring a sleeping bag, or will a thin sheet for hygiene be enough? And how many kms is doable per day?
You really should do some research, although, it seems, you do not much time before you set off. In terms of km/day – that's for you to determine (according to fitness and intent) but around 25km/day is usually doable. Apart from snacks / emergency rations, you do not need to carry food; but do have liquid (very important). Re accommodation, I have never booked ahead in many years of walking the various pilgrimage routes (which has allowed for flexibility as I go along) but, if you want peace of mind, go for it. Yes, take a proper sleeping bag but one that is compact. In the spirit of the Camino (as a pilgrim and not a tourist) you will want to carry your own "baggage", but think light.
Again, I encourage you to research thoroughy beforehand. Being well prepared you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
I wish you well, Merel.
some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!
hi there, I am planning to start Camino Norte soon. Is there any list of auberges or hostels on the route?
also, as we will start in Santander, do you know how to get the pilgrim's pass there?
Hey, Got a question, I would like to do parts of the coastal route and the primitivo with various means of transportation, next to walking (like hitchhiking). I am reading a book on the Northern route, but just cannot get an idea what the type of roads are like which I will encounter. Is the majority both suitable for both walking and cycling (normal bike)? As this is the impression I get from the books descirption. I would like to purchase a simple bike somewehere in San Sebastian or Bilbao and cycle for a while. The primitivo I will walk or hitchhike (long and dready road tracks). I am an experienced biker, but just have no idea if the tracks are suitable for it.
And can leave the bike behind at the start of the primitivo.
clear purpose in mind what I wanted to absorb and leave behind. With this open mind I attracted the right people and experiences. Has been a great learning curve and not yet ended. It is a Camino we all create together along the way and feel ams have felt very much part of the Camino of others. We are all in it together and helping each other with what we would like to change in life. The nature, the vistas, the landscapes, villages, coast along the way and the constant change of environment and meeting fellow pilgrims through the walking are to me a medium of accellerating realizations and changes in life. The Camino is like a microcosmos.
Something anybody should do when they are in a need of change.
I must say I met in Islares a wonderful Paul from UK, whom I walked and talked with for a while. Was that you?
All the best to you. I have one week left to complete the physical trail and the one inside.
But I am nearing the end, that is how it feels like.
is best walked with a Camino inside.
You are too kind! You were great company for that short while but what really delights me is to hear that you have just about reached SdC. Brilliant! Taking the Primitive route I hope you found very beautiful and inspiring – it's certainly one of my favourite sections (Oviedo – Lugo) of any of the routes I have taken.
Just a couple of things: firstly, and very sadly, some (admittedly only a very few) pilgrims in the past have found, on arriving at SdC, that fellow pilgrims (who are soon to "disappear") cannot be trusted and items have "walked"; and, secondly, be prepared for PCN (post Camino syndrome) whereby after that initial elation you feel somewhat low. I am sure in your case you will take due care of yourself and your belongings and, importantly, return home the wiser and better equipped to face those personal challenges, which we all have to confront at some stage.
As I said, it was good to have met you. Let me know if you're returning to Spain!
I cannot believe that that has been really you in Islares! Was sad for not meeting you again after departing. And regretted not exchanging addresses. I did however meet up with Ivan, the american guy you walked up with, and walked for 4 days with him.
I am really happy we meet again! You just never stop to amaze me.
The ways of the Camino have been wonderous to me.
And I agree, the Primitivo from Oviedo to Lugo is something of a kind. The weather could not have been better. Had not been looking forward though to the last stages to Santiago after Lugo, but decided to change my mind on that and to just experience it and to admire the sheer contrast between the spirit and beauty of the beginning of the Camino from Irun to the total lack of it from Melide onwards. But every journey has its extremes. And am grateful to both.
Thanks for your pieces of advice. Luckily I am a very spiritual but also a very down to earth person. I made this journey to absorb life, friendships and nature and to leave hindering mental debris behind, and deciding where I want my life to go to. And with a very open attitude I feel I accomplished a lot in that respect.
The last stages from Lugo I have walked quite a bit alone and have given me the change in the face of arriving t the end of my journey in Santiago to also ty all knots together and look at what I need to do at home upon return. So I have already taken some action on this during the last few days. Planting some seeds at home and with people concerned for a new beginning I decided upon. Felt like fasing over to life because of and after The Camino. So I did and do keep that at heart. Thanks.
Concerning fellow pilgrims, I think I know what you mean and I think I can deal with that. I know for sure I will meet once more some people who touched my heart and I theirs. These are a few. And for the others I see it all in the light of having for a short time been in it together and sharing what needed to get shared. Most likely no follow up from contact, but that is totally okay by me.
I have actually decided to go and live in Spain for a year or two. But this will be within a few years.
I will definitely let you know when I will return to Spain beforehand to do a new Camino. But I only want to do a new Camino when there is a new purpose in mind for me to start on one. I am first letting all positive experiences within me have its effect and create a renewed beginning at home because of this Camino.
I am only 18 km away from Santiago. So today is arrival day. And it will be a surprise whom I will meet else. I have 2,5 days after that to wrap up my Camino and say goodbye to friends made and to put myself in a state of mind to return home. I am happy for those days. No time to walk to Fisterra, but will walk at least from fisterra to Muxia. One last time admiring the coastline I so much love and one last dive in the sea.
Take care Paul and it will be a pleasure seeing you again.
To wish you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
I am setting out on 1 March on the "Tunnel Route" (from Irun to Sto Domingo) – a new one for me. So, any tips/advice would be most welcome.
Seriously considering walking the Norte instead of the Frances when I do my Way, but wondering if there is any fall exposure on the route, particularly in the Picos de Europa? Do you cross over the Picos or walk alongside them? In other words, is it dangerous hiking or just strenuous?
Above, in response to Alicia, I encouraged thorough preparation before embarking on a pilgrimage. I would encourage you, Patty, to do just the same. You will then know, at least, the routes and not need to ask the sort of question you pose. Again, I state that (for me, at least) hiking in an area such as the Picos is quite different to undertaking a pilgrimage.
Good luck with your preparations, Patty.
Hi, Paul. Yes, I will most assuredly do as much reading as I can before embarking on the full Camino, regardless of which route I choose. I have read everything I can get my hands on regarding the Camino Frances and have walked a very short portion from SJPDP. I had fully intended to walk the Frances until recent news events have dampened my spirits in terms of personal safety. Doing a full pilgrimage on the Camino is a life dream for me and one I do not take lightly. Unfortunately, other than this forum, I have not been able to find that much information on the Norte, unlike the Frances. In asking, I was looking for assistance. From some of the comments it seems as though the north route could be dangerous in terms of rough terrain. I wouldn't want to even begin to contemplate walking it (or even continuing my research) if that is the case and will instead walk the Frances.
Of course, the matter of (personal) safety is paramount and all reasonable precautions should be taken. Having said that the Norte route cannot be described as dangerous "in terms of rough terrain". The route as far as Ribadeo, essentially following the coast, is never far from habitation and is generally on clear, well-defined tracks or lanes. Turning inland, from Ribadeo, there are sections which are more remote but the going, although undulating, is easy. It is the necessary stage distances here of which you need to be aware. Good guides are provided by the CSJ and the website (which I referred to previously, above), although in Spanish, I have found really very helpful. Next month I am (again) walking out a section of the Norte route so I'll look out for a "Patty"!
I am really thankful too the holder of this web page who has shared this great paragraph at at this place.
First off, FANTASTIC site, thank you so much for all the friendly information. I saw this question above, and I am very interested to hear an answer, but the poor guy didn't get one. Can somebody please answer it. It is the one that pertains the most to me.
"hi there, I am planning to start Camino Norte soon. Is there any list of auberges or hostels on the route?
By the way, another question. What about washing clothes, is there opportunity in the hostels to do this?
Good to read of your interest in the Camino del Norte. You will enjoy it! Firstly, though, as you've already started to do – research thoroughly.
An excellent source of information is the Confraternity of St James (CSJ). Their publications are first rate: practically invaluable, easy to follow and light to carry.
Admitedly in Spanish but it contains very useful and detailed information.
Credentials ("passports") are available from a range of sources, the CSJ being one of them.
Good researching and, when you set off "buen camino".
Are you from Galicia? You compliment it a lot! Much as I loved Galicia I think you're doing down the rest of the walk. Personally for me Asturias was the place.
I walked from Haarlem in north Holland to Finisterra via Murchia and enjoyed every step, lost or not. And, everybody who realized I was lost helped me all along the way, which actually enriched the walk for me. Buen Camino!
It's been a good year for me with two excellent trails walked: the Camino Primitivo and a section of the Camino del Norte. Met some marvellous guys (Katya, are you reading this?!) which made it all very special.
March 1 – I'm setting out on the Tunnel Route from Irun. So, any advice please?
Best wishes for a joyous 2016 to all pilgrims.
Hello, i am planning to do the camino some time in october 2016, i have around 10-15days available to do the camino. I had Camino frances in my mind but i think that the days i have available are not enough to complete it. Any idea what the best options are for the amount of days i have available?
Why don't you do the Camino Primitivo? This is about a 2-week Camino, so you can do it in full. Not too crowded and of high beauty. I would only suggest you take a small detour to avoid the last few stages being combined with the hords from the Frances. So after Lugo when you arrive in San Roman da Retorta you go via Friol and Sobrado dos Monxes (part of the Camino de la Costa). This will lead to Arzua where you will join the Camino Frances again. I only recommend this because the last 3 days can be a deception after the beauty, genuity and solitude of the Primitivo. The whole spirit of the Camino is hardly present in the last stages.
Another option would be to do two weeks of the Canimo del Norte, and I think you could reach Santander if you start in Irun. Also awesome!
I'm going to start my Camino in Feb 17 and I'll like to know which is the best airport to fly to for Irun. Also what public transport is available to make my way to the center of Irun. Also will I have trouble with the albergues during this time?
HI – I'll be a first timer with 7-8 days for a Camino in mid-April.
The most basic question – which section to follow?
With that many days I think you can best do a good portion of one route. I would recommend you do from Irun to Bilbao. This is a reasonably tough but gorgeous route, part of the Camino del Norte. I found it stunning.
– spend the night in the alberque in Pasajes de San Juan. Simply a unique place, you want to spend the night.
– make sure that after Zarautz you take the old route going up hill (GR-121) to Askizu, and not along the road.
– and most definitely when you arrive in Elorriaga don't go inlands to Itziar, but take the coastal route, the GR-121. This is one of the most beautiful coastline I have ever seen. This goes all the way to Deba. Tough but stunning!
The entire Camino del Norte is too long for your 7-8 days, but you will walk an awesome part of this route up to Bilbao.
I am thinking about doing 14-15 days on the Camino. Like a lot of people, I'm conflicted between the easy but crowded Frances or the more rugged and (arguably) more beautiful Norte. I know that on the Frances I can start in Leon and arrive in Santiago with that time frame. What do you suggest is the best starting point on Camino del Norte if you only have a 2 week period?
Further to what Kat says, you may need to take into account the time of year that you decide to go because of both likely weather conditions and the availability of accommodation.
An alternative consideration is from Oviedo – either taking the Camino del Norte (via Ribadeo – which includes beautiful coastal stretches) or the Camino Primitivo (via Lugo – which traverses some majestic higher ground). "Doability" depends very much on how far you are prepared to walk each day AND it is always sensible to have a contingency plan (particularly if you have limited time) should circumstances necessitate a change in arrangements.
As for all pilgrims, do plan ahead!
You could do from Irun to Santander. That would be feasible and doable.
My name is Connor and I stumbled upon this great site after a friend of mine told me about her Pilgrimage. I can't help but feel that this is something I absolutely need to do. Without getting into a long list of questions, I wanted to ask what i feel are some basic starter questions if you will.
2. How much time realistically should I be freeing up? I work a full time job and have about a week of vacation under my belt. Is that enough?
3. What would you recommend as a starter route? I'm pretty physically fit, cardio could use some work haha but I'd have time to revamp that. I think I've settled on El Camino del Norte. Sounds beautiful.
Thanks guys! Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.
Good to read that you're interested in walking (?) the Camino del Norte BUT you really do need to research this thoroughly in the first instance and then come back with specific questions.
A week is far too short a period to do justice to any pilgrimage; all you could do in that time is get a feel of what it is and what it may mean to you.
Sorry not to sound more positive. I am trying to be fair to you!
Work on it, Connor, because it really is worth doing.
I look to reading here how you are getting on.
Hi, my two friends and I walked the Camino del Norte from San Sebatian to Santander in 2014 for 3 weeks in September. The weather was great and quite warm. We only had wet weather for a couple of days that I recall. We had no trouble getting accomodation in a pilgrims hostel each night although some of them were very full with people having to sleep under the dining tables! You need to be careful as some of the hostels close as you head towards winter. It was one of the cheapest holidays I've had as we generally paid no more than 10€ a night and usually less and cooked our own meals. It was cheaper than staying home! The route through Basque Country is beautiful with seaside cliffs, rolling hills, vineyards. However, be warned you often have to walk up and down mountains 3 times a day. Killer on the legs when you start. But I was 55 and managed it, although I am a runner and relatively fit. The worst day was heading out of Bilbao which was over 30 kms along a motorway on a very hot day. I recommend making sure you always have plenty of water on you as there can be quite big gaps between watering holes and cafes and food stores. This is especially so on the weekend when lots of shops close in the small villages. Make sure you have food on you as the same applies re water. Nothing worse than being hungry and thirsty.
We also did a few days on the Camino Frances heading out from Leon. I would take the deal Norte any day. Much less crowded, relaxed and more intimate. The Frances felt like everyone was in a race and were walking to a timetable. I am planning on going back soon and finishing the rest of the del Norte. Just started researching again. The first time round we had no maps, no information. We just followed the yellow arrows and winged it. And we survived to tell the tale!
Do not be discouraged. Talk to your friend about her pilgrimage, find out what it cost her, how much time she spent on the Camino. I can tell you that any amount of time spent walking the Camino is time well spent and I don't believe you will regret it. I plan to walk an entire one some day when I have retired, but two years ago was fortunate enough to have much of my family with me in St. Jean Pied-du-Port. We were there only to feel of the Camino, to be inspired, as we had only one day. But we spent that day walking up the Way as far as we could so that we could return to SJPDP, feeling all of the appropriate feelings and spirit as we walked. We were all inspired to share in the Camino at a later time (including my young grandchildren). It made us hungry for more. Do what you can, Connor, you will not be disappointed.
I am planning on doing El Camino Norte in September but don't want to stay in Albergues. Are there alternatives? Pensiones, hotels? Smaller albergues with semi-private or private rooms? I'm too old to sleep with 30 other people. I also am very noise sensitive and have insomnia.
Are there any good books for the Camino Norte and Camino Primitivo?
Firstly, good to read that, although you describe yourself as "too old", you are keen to walk (I presume) the Norte route.
In answer to your specific questions, there are many alternatives to the albergues and, in September, you should not have difficulty in securing overnight accommodation. Not stopping at albergues you do miss out on a key dimension to the spirit of the camino (in meeting with others and sharing experiences) but, to sleep better, most pilgrims do equip themselves with earplugs! Incidentally, while you may want to book accommodation ahead, you can invariably find that by just "turning up" at a hotel/hostal you can often negotiate an improved rate as a pilgrim. I am not aware of albergues with private facilities.
There is a generous supply of camino publications (in a range of languages) as well as information online. The CSJ (based in UK) is well worth looking at. (I have used CSJ guides for seven different pilgrimage routes AND am working on an eighth for this September!) Some sources, however, (such as published by tourist offices) although detailing places of interest en route, provide, at best, limited essential information of where you may stay and where to eat! Best advice is to search online, in the first instance and, of course, other contributors to this forum may have additional suggestions.
I wish you well and look to reading of your joy on embarking on (and completing) a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella!
I am planning to do the Camino del Nord starting next week. I am arriving in Irun by car.
Where is it possible to park the car for one month ? Is there a parking near Hospital de peregrinos de Irun ?
In 2010, my husband and I walked the Frances as our (beautiful, beautiful) honeymoon. We have three kids now, next Summer they'll be five (great hiker), four and two. We have kiddie carriers for our back, and we're dying to do (at least part of) the Norte. What is thé best bit for kids: most coastline and most accessible route?
Of course, we'll do heaps of research between this and next Summer, but it'd be great to narrow the search down a wee bit.
Firstly, I am flattered that you should choose to direct your query to me, personally; I am nothing other than a contributor to this forum who has walked many a pilgrim mile! However . . .
You are, it would appear, anxious to secure what, in terms of practicalities, is a real challenge – a holiday for the family and a "renewed" flavour of the Camino. A compromise is essential, I suggest, because to carry the younger children along with your necessary gear is well nigh impossible!
You could, though, base yourself somewhere, walk sections of the Camino del Norte and then use public transport to return each day. In terms of "where?", noting your mentioning accessibility, there are very pleasant sections of the Camino, with some fine beaches, to the west of Santander, more specifically, between San Vincente (de la Barquera) and Ribadesella. This is, though, a popular holiday area and accommodation can prove relatively costly. But, for transport, there are buses (Alsa, in particular) and the Feve railway.
Depending on how long you are planning to go to Spain, there is also the option of travelling with a donkey! I don't know how this can be arranged but have certainly seen young families doing this!
Sorry not to be more helpful. I am sure other contributors can add their observations but, meanwhile, I wish you well with your planning!
A lovely idea, to walk with your dog but the practicalities make it tricky. I feel it is most unlikely that albergues will admit a dog – unless, perhaps, it is a guide dog. Campsites may well have a different policy, although there are not a considerable number. You could look to "camp wild", taking note of any local restrictions.
Admitedly in Spanish but it contains very useful and detailed information (including email addresses of albergues) and you could ask a few what their policies are.
I do believe all of the ideas you've introduced in your post. They're very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for starters. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
My partner and I are planning on on embarking this route at the end of June '17. Does anyone have tips on camping vs alburges? Also, how could we rent a bike for some of it, if we feel we need a break from walking or have shorter walking days and need to catch up days? I am very excited but slightly nervous about the logistics now we have booked our air fares.
You have every reason to feel excited! The Camino del Norte is an amazing experience and, provided you plan well, should not prove problematic.
Look to the CSJ website, for example, for details of route description/accommodation and you can determine whether camping is a viable option for you.
I cannot comment on the bike rental business other than say that walking for me has always been the preferred means of travel. And, as I have done, you will surely meet some exceptional folks on your journey.
Hi Paul…..i just have a comment based on my experience on El Norte summer 2015. There was a couple with their dog and it definitely provided an additional challenge. If, as a group some of wanted to stay in the same albergue with this couple, we were never quite sure until we arrived if it was possible. Some albergues might not allow the dog inside but did permit fir him to sleep in the yard outside.
Of course as stated above, you could call ahead but you might need to be flexible in case you decide to spend more time in one area or town etc….
I have been thinking about Camino for many year, but this year I think I could take about 90 days off from my job and just go. Now I am more interested about Camino del Norte, because landscapes and less commercial than Frances. My first question is – is Camino del Norte totally safe for a single girl (including camping over night)? I dont want to be stressed about safety and just enjoy the road. I am asking that because I am not coming from a very safe country for women travelling. And 2nd thing – I am not in very good shape, I will try to train till August, but maybe I will not be prepared to do more than 10-15km per day. It is not really a walking challenge for me, the goal is to clear my mind and thoughts 🙂 If I could do 200-300 km walking from Bilbao to Santiago, it will be fine for me. So, hitch-hiking will be a choice for me. The question is – is it easy to find cars to pick you up and buses on this route for short distances? Thank you in advance for kind answers and great job here!
I am walking/hiking the Camino Santiago del Norte from San Sebastian for the first time. However, I have only 26 days (for personal reason, it is impossible to extend). Is it humanly possible to complete the route? Is there any example of stages/plans for the day-to-day hike?
While I understand it is not recommended to rush to fully soak in the experience, I would also feel great remorse/regret for not being able to complete.
Would greatly appreciate advice / sharing of experience if anyone had done so.
I walked half the northern route in Feb and then took the Primitivo. I know the northern route is doable in 28 days but in 26 days it's pushing it. I wouldn't say it's not unachievable but it would depend on a number of factors. If the weather is on your side (it wasn't for me), if your use to walking long hours, the weight your carrying and if your don't pick up an injury. Doing it in that sort of time means a lot of walking and not much time to do anything else, which take away a lot of the experience of the Camino. Why don't you consider doing the Primitivo? it's a comfortable 12 day route, it's the original way and some would say the most beautiful. The route is a good combination or all types of terrain as well. You can always add the extra 3 days to get to Finisterre or Muxia as well.
Further to Jose's comments I would encourage you (as, indeed I have suggested previously to others) to thoroughly research the route(s) you are considering taking. There are numerous excellent websites apart from hard copy publications available; try the CSJ for starters. Then, having done your homework, get back with specific questions to seek clarification. As Jose rightly points out, there are various factors which will determine your final proposed schedule – to generalize could be misleading.
Hi to Jose and Paul. you both seem well versed in the routes and although this will be my first time doing the Camino, I'd like to try the del Norte route. My concern is whether there are sheer drops (I have suffered from a height fear vertigo since a little child) that might make me turn around and want to go back and also whether the northern route is crowded in August. I may wait until next June 2018 to do the route, given that I will have more time to devote to it. I am presuming that June is also great because the sunlight lasts longer.
Apologies for not getting back before now but I've been away – walking a (new, for me) route: the Camino del Salvador.
As I recall, on the Camino del Norte there are no precipitous edges you need to fear. Where there are cliff paths they are invariably with a form of fencing. Should you encounter any point at which you feel uncomfortable there are (nearly) always detours you can take inland.
June has longer daylight hours, yes, but it can also be busy with other pilgrims. If you can be flexible I would recommend April/May (preferably) or September.
will be on the Norte somewhere between August and October this year. Would prefer to (wild)camp it all the way, but legislation in Spain is varied to put it nicely,. Have heard scary stories as well as reassuring ones. Any experience/advice? Best (official) camping sites etc.?
My husband wants to walk the Camino Norte or the Primitivo. He is 72 years old and quite fit (runs daily). I however am completely unable to walk and those kinds of long distances but he wants me with him. He also doesn't relish the sleeping in albuerges as he is a light sleeper and wouldn't get a proper enough rest for walking the next day. So his solution is for us to rent a camper for me to drive and meet him at the end of each day of his walk. I am quite used to driving in Spain and camping with a van so have no worries in that regard. Also we could have a nice meal together at the end of each day and talk over our experiences. Also some friends have expressed an interest in walking with him for a few days or a week at a time and he is quite happy about that, as am I as he won't be alone. So is it possible to do this with a camper? Obviously I would have to follow a road, not a path and I'd have to find him at the end of each day but this is do-able, we think.
Many thanks for any guidance or comments you can give us.
I am planning to do the Camino del Norte the last two weeks in June 2019. I only have 14 days so where do think my starting point should be? How many km per day is average? I may or may not be travelling alone.
A group of 5 of us are going to walk part of the camino del norte, self-guided. However, since we are getting on in our years, we would like to find a support van that could be available along the way.
Do you know where we could find this service?
i am planning to walk the Camino Norte in July, 2019. I have the Wise Pilgrim map book, but am not loving it. Does anyone have a suggestion for another map book more like Brierleys.