off to the norte

Like many Camino First Timers & tho.se thousands that have enjoyed the romance of The Way, my intentions were to hit The Way, or The Camino Frances. 

But latterly I had notions about the Camino del Norte and the Camino Portuguese Coastal. Both these Caminos hug the coastlines for much of their duration. For most of my life surfing, sailing and swimming have been major feature. I've been lucky to indulge these loves all along Australia's east coast. One of the desirable features of a good day on the water is a lack of crowds. Without mobs you can sw free, catch as many waves you want, just wander and have privacy to wear as little amount of clothing you want, without being watched or judged. 

On the other side of the ledger, I often hear that the Camino Frances is very crowded. I don't so crowds well due to the circulations of energies that people carry with them. I think I would find the atmosphere on the Frances too mentally cpmplex, and stressful as people compete for berths. Then there's the added weight of crowded albergues and oversubscribed bars and resting places en route. Pilgrims on remote stretches often relieve themselves beside the trail. The thought of all that urine and faeces turns me off. 

    So in summary, the coastal route, C del Norte wins out due to the scenery and lower density of pilgrims. 

   I just need to access the ALSA buses bookings system online to get a ticket from Madrid to Irun.