A BEAUTIFUL 1st DAY OF AUTUMN IN SPAIN!
Monday September 21, 2015
Today was the weirdest day I have had yet. I had planned to walk from Acebo to Riego de Ambrose : 27.8 Km.
The hotel desk clerk told me that the walk down to Molineseca was BRUTAL and worse than what I walked yesterday. 2 people broke ankles yesterday and were taken to the hospital. I had a HELL OF A TIME ON THE DECLINE! Some people went down like rabbits having a blast, I was not one of them.
Late last night I decided that it was too risky for me with an arthritic knee and foot to take a treacherous decline. What would happen if I got seriously hurt? My trip could come to a sudden end. Four of us got a ride down to Molineseca. Now my day was 8 Km shorter so I decided to walk from Melineseca to Villafranca del Bierzo: 30 km
IT WAS A GLORIOUS SUNNY, warm day! I DESPERATELY wanted to see the Knight’s Templar Castle in Ponferrada, BUT IT WAS CLOSED MONDAYS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS ONLY! I begged to go in with a school group ( just like old times) but I only got a 5 minute mini glance instead!
To add insult to injury, I forgot to charge my phone and charger last night, so I had no power for photos except the town and outside of the castle! A walking day with no photos was not a good sign!
PONFERRADA PICS
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I just kept walking, drank water, and ate my apple and almonds. I walk so much faster when I do not stop to take photos!
I got to VillaFranca and stopped for water, coffee, and a Bocadillo ( I needed some time to charge my phone). What is s Bocadillo? A large baguette, no mustard or condiments, cheese, tomato, and mediocre prosciutto! I was starving so it was perfect.
PICS FROM A PARTIALLY CHARGED CAMERA
At 2:30, I felt good and made a dumb decision to try for 1 more town! I realized I could reach O’Cebriero tomorrow if I took a few Km off by walking further today!
I reached Pereje ( I took the short route) and it was a ghost town. It was an odd walk with the old highway on one side ( separated with a cement barrier) and a GORGEOUS river on the other!
So where did I end up? I am in Trabedelo!!!!! It was another 38 Km day today. It is 6:15 pm and I just unloaded and showered.
TOMORROW – O’Cebiero. THE LAST MOUNTAIN CLIMB! It is a 19 Km walk from where I am so I am glad I pushed ahead today. I could NOT reserve a room or a bed on top of the mountain, so I booked a bed at Laguna ( 2.3 Km from the top). I only walk 16.7 Km tomorrow but it will be all uphill!
CAMINO LESSON TODAY’
No more walking days beyond 25 Km!  It is  not a race!
My legs ache. I must laugh because everyone out in this town is doing the Camino Shuffle, limping. LOL
BEST PIC OF THE DAY!
Look at the distance on the pink Santiago sign. I am at least 8 Km beyond this sign! Less than 200 to go!
EARLY BED FOR ME AND AN EARLY START!
KEEP WALKING!
More gorgeous photos! It wears me out just reading about your travels!
Hey Dan
I am so envious right now. I loved the walk up to O Cebreiro and the place itself is magical. There are a couple of pubs in the town and there are lots of places to stay. I got a cheap hotel room above a pub that was just fine. Loved that town!!!
Sounds like hard day and what a great decision to take a short ride. You are right it isn’t a race so go easy cause you want to finish
Hi Dan…the road ws my alternative. .
Serpentine all the way down on a beautiful autumn day.
Funny that l too arrived in Ponferrada on a Monday. Spend the whole day taking care of those pesky bugs…cinchas. …
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