Yep, I can attest to starting a bit early - I did the Camino FRances and on to FInisterre in September and October 2013. Some people are always very stressed and are running around at 5am in the Albergues but I found it sufficient to start between 6.30 and 7.30am because the terrain in not so strenuous and you can usually get where you are going by midday or late lunch perhaps late afternoon in some cases. People also panicked about booking ahead and getting beds although I hardly ever did and always found some place to crash. I would avoid the stages recommended in the Brierly books if the route is busy because everyone has the book and have already planned out where they are going to stay and are very frantic about keeping to schedule and so on.
All in all, there are some pretty parts of the walk and even somewhat isolated, but in general I found the Camino Frances about meeting people - quite a few I will be friends with for the rest of my days. From Sarria onwards I found it a little depressing to see so many people who jusat walk the last 100km to SDC to get the COmpostela. In fact, although I have one, it has no real value to me - my passport/credencial is what matters most to me:)
I would thoroughly recommend the Camino Frances to all, to live with and to experience the camaraderie with quite alot of people as well as the physical challenge of doing a long distance trek whilst being well supported is a good start to widen one's horizons. I wrote a blog and when I look back on it I remember so many wonderful sunrises, people and scenery - as well as the pain and other challenges that would occur regularly.
I am planning on Le Puy to St Jean this year as well as GR11 South to North and then Camino del Norte if I can squeeze them in. That would be more or less 2500kms and will obviously take a while! As I have been on a career break for 20 months already, it is probably about time to do some "work" though so will have to see what I can do,......
Buen Camino.
Christer
