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