On Tough Days, I Just Keep Going!
I would like to start off saying that I never expected to hike while being sick. Unfortunately upon my arrival in Spain, I have developed a massive head cold and cough! I’m hoping it’s on the mend as I’m just starting to feel better. It has zapped a lot of my energy.
Sleep has also been an issue too! Most nights my sleep tracker shows 2-3 hours at best! Ugh! That has not helped me feeling better. Last night, 7.5 hours of sleep and I feel rested.
Yesterday (actually, the last 3 days in fact) we covered a lot of distance. We covered almost 94 Km! Yes, probably not a good idea when I was so sick, but we had to reach Ponferrada today!
Yesterday was a bad day hiking. The heat, the very challenging terrain full of loose shale, and the heat got to us. We were both exhausted and our bodies ached!
The Reason Why We Pushed Ourselves?
The Knights Templar Castle in Ponferrada was the reason!
The city of Ponferrada boasts the magnificent Knights Templar Castle! It’s not just a castle, but rather a fortress of over 8000 sq m that encompassed a village.
King Alfonso made peace with the Knights in the mid 11th Century and gave them the town of Ponferrada. The Knights has it fortified by the 12th Century!
The Knights Templar Castle!
In 2015 when I hiked through here, it was a Monday and the Castle was closed. My hiking buddy, Ric and I made certain I could see it this time by not repeating the same mistake.
Today we only hiked 8 Km and we were able to tour the castle! Ric had already seen it but I had not!
Glorious and stunning is all I can say!
Night Views!
Over the next few days, we will hike 1 more mountain and reach O’Cebriero!
KEEP WALKING!
