Author: oliveronnie

Today we went from Triacastela to Sarria, through San Christobo, Renche,Samos and Vigo de Sarria. Up and then mainly down until we reached Sarria then it was up and quite a flight of stairs, just  about done us in.  After a wee drink and some substance we walked up and down the town, really lovely. The wall is amazing and the view from the cross is something else.

Tomorrow is 27k so we will see how things go.  We plan to celebrate Canada Day in Santiago, so will have to be vigilant with the walking the next 10 days.

Quite an interesting first part of the day, as we came out of O’Cebreiro you looked at the floating islands, this is where the clouds are below the mountains.  Onward into Linares and a mist just appeared, walked through the mist for 2.5k into Hospital de la Condesa, as we left the village the mist just disappeared.  The first part of the day was mainly uphill and at one point was very steep to the highest point of the Camino in Provence of Galicia (1335m).  Onto to Fonfria, where we were gong to stay but decided to carry on to Triacastela, all downhill through Biduedo and Fillobal.  All in all 20.7k today.

MY TREAT:

Yes a two hour horseback ride up the mountain.  It was really special.  We passed through La Faba nd Laguna d Castillo, where the horses had a real good drink of water.

Into O’Cebreiro where the six riders, Ronnie and the owner of the company had a really nice drink and some Tapas.

At the Church in O’Cerbreiro Ronnie and I had a nice opportunity to have our picture taken together…..back to reality tomorrow.

 

From Trabadelo the walk went through a few wee villages the first being LaPortela de Valcarce.  I just had to take a picture of the entrance to the playground, the wee old folks on each pillar.  Going on through Anbasmestas and Vega de Valcarce where the cows were walking up the stree.  Just thought of home.  Ruitelan then into Las Herrerias, where my treat starts tomorrow.

The actual walk was again all along the road but with lovely views and of course the sound of the Ria Valcarce

Today the walk from Villafranca to Trabadelo was all along the roadside except for a wee detour though  Pereje. However saying that it was really lovely as there was mountains on both sides and you could hear the river running, once in a while you got a wee glimpse of the river. Really enjoyed the walk.  The picture of the view does not give it justice but gives you an idea of what we experienced.

Going to give myself a treat come Wednesday so keep tuned in find out what it is.

Leaving Cacabelos, we started off beside the road for quite a while.  Once off the road it was a nice walk mainly gradual uphill except for a couple of steep hills.  I have put in a picture of the lovely views we had.  We passed through Las Angustias and Valtuille de Arriba (where silly me went the wrong way for about 1/5a k).  4.5k later into Villafranca del Bierzo.  Nice town with of course a lot of history.

The week coming up is going to be in the 30’s so just going to do around 10k per day.

That is Ronnie looking to find out where we needed to go to the hostel we booked.  Leaving Ponferrada, going through Compostilla, Columbrianos, Fuentes Nuevas, camponarays and into Cacabelos a welcome site.

This is a picture from our bedroom window.  There is a bath in this room (a wee treat) and I am going to soak for a long time.  I have found I have muscles I didn’t know I had after the last couple of days going downhill.

So today was another long walk.  After yesterday’s 16.5, kinda hoped to do just 10 or 12k but no…it was 18k.  Left Acebo at 6:45 to get a good start on the day.  It is harder walking once the sun get up.  The first village is really lovely with very little decaying buildings, it was Riego de Ambros.  On to Monlinaseca the time between Acebo and Monlinaseca was mainly downhill, the first picture is the sort of way we had to go, if not like that then very rocky.  It is kind of a shame as you are so busy looking where you are going you really don’t see much else.  The rest of the way to Ponferrada was up and Down, then really up into the city.  The second picture is of the castle and a bit of the Iron Bridge (Pons Ferrara) in the city.

Today we left Rabanal, above sea level at 1200m climbing to the cross at 1505m, through the village of Foncebadon.

At the cross I put 5 stones (first picture). These represent the following: the first stone, from Spain, was for the health of Joe, Peggy and Michael,  the second stone, from Ardtalnaig, was for Anne’s Parishes, Ardtalnaig and the Community,  the third stone, from Shetland, was for Dementia Research,  the fourth stone, from Grete, was for all pilgrims before, now and future, the fifth stone, bought at the Kelpies for this very purpose, was for all our family and friends.  A prayer was said as each stone was layed down.

Going forward more climbing to the highest point of the Camino 1515m, then down and I mean down to 1000m, quite steep and very rocky.  Arriving at Acebo.

MLeft Santa Catalina, the walk was not bad until the last 2k, and even then it was only for about 1k which was over rocks and tree roots.  Just before the last 2k came across this guy with a falcon who takes pictures for a donation for children’s cancer.  You can notice Ronnie is pictured with a partridge in a cage…who is the bravest of them all????. We are staying the night at El Acebo.

Tomorrow takes us up to the highest point also have to do 16.5k