Villafranca del Bierzo

The taxi delivered us just in time.

I had a case if the trots and needed to be near a bathroom 

and we were cold and wet and tired.

We stayed at Albergue La Piedra which has really nice private rooms upstairs. 

A double bed below and a twin above.

A chair makes out into another bed, so realistically 4 pilgrims could share.

I got Lottie settled into her room in the hotel across the street.

After a cup of coffee, Patty and I warmed up. 

The room is nice, 

with shelves and hangers for your things.

The local guardian, Conan, begged for belly rubs and gave us all our doggy fix.

Pam enjoyed a foot rub in the auto massage!

Tomorrow is an early taxi ride to O'Cebreiro 

and then the walk to Sarria where we pick up two new walkers.

Below, Laura is getting her bags ready to be picked up.

That huge rock runs all along the walls in this 

very cool albergue!

Photo by Patty Moak

Note:  If you are interested in walking the Camino Santiago, 

but are not quite ready to go it alone, 

consider joining Annie

on one of our small, affordable Camino walks. 

For more information see our website 

at this link: AnnieWalkers Camino

Day 15 - Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

We left Ponferrada in the dark rainy morning. 

The rain was light but steady. 

We stopped for breakfast at a cafe that appears to be closed
when you pass it on the right from the Camino.
If you walk around the side,
you find that it is  very much open and quite nice. 

It is called Hotel Nova.

I had to stop for a photo in front if this wattle and daub porch again

Assumption Church in Fuentes Nueves was worth a visit.

This little church is a treasure.

There was a nice man there to greet us and stamp our Credential.

The ceiling, unfortunately, is going to mold.

I'm always amazed at the beautiful retablos and other art 

in these tiny village churches.

Upon leaving, the curator escorted us to the wall

in order to be sure we saw the Templar's Cross -

he insisted this church was built by Templars.

We continued on,

and walking through the next town,

 I passed two pilgrims clad in Altus ponchos. 

One spoke to the other and I suddenly recognized that voice!

"Edeltraud?" I asked.

She turned and looked at me. 

She reached over and pulled off my hood and we all burst out laughing!

"Yes! It is me!"

Six years ago we walked our first Camino with her. 

I have awesome photos of us all at a fiesta on Azofra. 

And now, we meet again!

Another Camino miracle!

Here we are in 2006.

I'll do an entire post on this later.

Have we changed?

Well, I look older, 

but I think she looks the same!

Soon, I decide to stop for coffee.

Joe continues alone.

While I'm waiting for the rain to slow down,

along comes Lottie,

then Patty!

We finish our coffee

then share a taxi to Villafranca del Bierzo!

I thought the driver said it would cost 20 Euros,

but no,

he said 10.

What a deal!

Note:  If you are interested in walking the Camino Santiago, 

but are not quite ready to go it alone, 

consider joining Annie

on one of our small, affordable Camino walks. 

For more information see our website 

at this link: AnnieWalkers Camino

Day 14 to Ponferrada

 After a few cups of coffee, some scrambled eggs, and orange juice,

we were ready to walk!

This is a fountain we pass on the way out of Molinaseca.

Joe and I walked the road the short trek to Ponferrada.

Having traveled both the Camino and the road, 

we prefer the road.

For one thing,

we don't want to miss one of our favorite stops along this stretch,

Cafe-Bar Domino!

For 1 Euro, 

they serve this great cup of coffee,

along with a shot of fresh orange juice 

and a little pastry.

It's just a sweet place to stop.

Plus walking the road cuts about an hour and a half off the trek

and I need to arrive early to be sure everyone's luggage arrives.

Soon, we were in town and could see the Castle.

I love this photo of Anita and Eileen hamming it up!

Photo by Patty Moak.

And this photo of Patty is priceless!

They have such interesting sculpture along the Camino.

We stayed at Hotel Templarios.

Nice, clean place with comfortable affordable beds.

We found a farmacia and stocked up on Compeed,

then had our obligatory Doner Kabob for dinner.

The next day's walk is much longer than today's.

Time to get some rest!

***

Note:  If you are interested in walking the Camino Santiago, 

but are not quite ready to go it alone, 

consider joining Annie

on one of our small, affordable Camino walks. 

For more information see our website 

at this link: AnnieWalkers Camino

Casa Reloj

Casa Reloj continues to be one of my favorite places to stay. 

Look at all the antique religious statues on the wall.

And the cabinet full of hand-made marionettes is something very special.

Jeffrey stamps his Credential.

And as evening falls,

we sit 

and reflect on the difficult and windy day.

The wine provided by the Lady of the House

flowed freely,

and everyone shared food and conversation.

Today was surreal to me.
The rainbow, the wind, the walk...

Tonight I have a room high on the top floor.

This is the view out of my window from my bed.

The sunset... 

Oh! I can't begin to describe it.

On and off, the sky was cloudy then clear.

The rain started, then stopped.

I slept with the window open until 4 am,

when early rising pilgrims began their journey

and set the dogs to barking.

It was heavenly!

Morning came and we went downstairs

to a beautiful breakfast set for us. 

Coffee, Tea, freshly squeezed orange juice,

bread, butter, jam,
Marias, fresh fruit,

and even fresh farm eggs for the cooking!

A feast!

Time to walk again...

Note:  If you are interested in walking the Camino Santiago, 

but are not quite ready to go it alone, 

consider joining Annie

on one of our small, affordable Camino walks. 

For more information see our website 

at this link: AnnieWalkers Camino

Day 13 to Molinaseca

The sky was dark as we left Rabanal. . . 

 but soon, we were blessed by RAINBOWS!

Then DOUBLE rainbows!

 When the sun did break through, 

it was with great beauty and strength!

Then, more cloudy cold walking...

 And then the rain began.
Soaked, we stopped for a rest in Foncabadon

where we ran into Patty.

The man who runs the cafe there

was in the United States Marine Corps
and is always very friendly.
We enjoy stopping here for coffee when we walk this section.

After a coffee and pastry,

the ALTUS raincoats went back on,

and we headed toward Manjarin,

passing the Cruz de Ferro on the way.

Here are Anita and Linda at the Cruz!

Photo by Linda Hendricks

Manjarin is a very interesting place.

I've written more about it in previous posts.

There is a toilet there...

although it may not be what you expect!

Patty calls it 

"Latrine with a view"

At least there is a building there;

in the old days it was just a hole in the ground!  

This is FANCY!

Resident Gato

Walking down, 

we hit wind.

Cold wind.

 I was happy to see Acebo ahead of us.

It was a very steep, rocky climb down into Acebo.

With the wind blowing against us,

sometimes almost blowing us over,

it made for a difficult walk.

 But thankfully, 

at the end of the trail,

THIS waited!

After a rest

and food and drink,

we began the climb down into Riego and Molinaseca

Once again,

the skies were stormy but gorgeous!

Photo by Patty Moak

Photo by Patty Moak

Soon, we were resting at Casa Reloj in Molinaseca.

Photo by Patty Moak

Note:  If you are interested in walking the Camino Santiago, 

but are not quite ready to go it alone, 

consider joining Annie

on one of our small, affordable Camino walks. 

For more information see our website 

at this link: AnnieWalkers Camino