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
I
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!
