How exactly do you get ready for something like this? A walk of 800 Kms from the French side of the Pyrenees, over the mountains into Spain and onto Santiago De Compostela.
We got books. The first was a step by step guide to the Camino by John Brierley. There are many guide books out there but I liked the look and feel of this publication. The other book is ‘The pilgrimage Road to Santiago’ by Gitlitz and Davidson. This is not a guide book. It describes itself as the complete cultural handbook and is more about what to see along the Way such as architecture, flora and fauna, history and so forth. Between the two you get enough information to give you a good start.
Visits to various camping shops to get a good fitting backpack of around 35 to 40 litres capacity and other essentials for each of us was the highest priority. We already had decent walking boots that we took time to wear in and get supple. Carrying too much weight is a strict dont do. No more than 10% of your body weight is a good guide. No need for a tent as we will be staying in the pilgrim hostels along the route. Carrying too much weight for 800 Kms is a real dont do.
We have spent a lot of time pouring over the excellent forum which is a wealth of knowledge and I thoroughly recommend you read it if ever you do this yourself. Here is a link to it.