2009 - Autumn
Just leaving Ponferrada, you pass a park in Compostilla
with this wonderful painted Iglesia Santa Maria
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| Castilla Compostilla |
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| It helps to put your feet up when you stop to rest |
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| A hot and tired Annie has lunch |
In 2009, we slept in Cacabelos at the Las Agustias Parochial Albergue.
There are only 2 beds per pilgrim here,
and we enjoyed it very much.
When we arrived at Villafrance del Bierzo,
we wanted to stay at Ave Fenix.
However, I found bedbugs and told the hospitalera.
She put us in touch with another Templar and his wife,
Andres and Federika.
They fed us, and we slept in their home on real straw mattresses.
It was a wonderful experience!
Andres and Federika were leading groups on the Camino
on horseback.
What a lovely couple!
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| Loved this Baby Jesus in the local church |
Please be prepared when you enter the Spanish churches.
The art was made to evoke emotion,
since most people did not read or write.
It can be very realistic.
2012 Spring
This restaurant is after you pass the park with the painted church.
You will come up on it in the back,
and you have to walk around front to enter.
But it's the best place to stop for coffee and breakfast
after leaving Ponferrada early in the morning.
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| Lots of storks in the fields this year |
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| And a sweet little abuela selling sweet cherries |
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| Santiago |
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| Sculpture Studio |
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| Lots of vineyards on this stretch |
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| Municipal Albergue in Villafranca del Bierzo |
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| La Piedra, our favorite albergue |
2012 - Autumn
So we were walking through Camponayara and heard a familiar voice.
I peeked under a red hood,
and there was Edeltraut,
who we had met and partied with on our very first Camino!
What a surprise!
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| Annie, Edeltraut, Joe |
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| It was wet walking this stretch but Pam had her ALTUS on! |
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| I was happy to have my ALTUS on as well! |
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| Oh those luscious massage machines at La Piedra! |
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| The rooms here are modest, but nice, and we love the owners. |
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| Backside of Villafranca del Bierzo |
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| Conan was happy to see us! |
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| Patricia and I enjoyed some hot coffee and snacks after the walk. |
2013 - Summer
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| I think this pilgrim was soaking his feet in the nice cold water. |
I stopped in at the tiny church of Santa Maria.
Inside were some lovely statues and other treasures.
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| Saw this in 2012, and again in 2013 |
I stayed at El Serbal y la Luna, a private albergue.
It was clean, but the people there were a little distant.
They all sat down to eat, and planned on serving the pilgrims later.
I figured we were getting leftovers,
and the dinner was more than I wanted to pay.
So I walked on up the Camino a bit and across the street,
I found a wonderful tiny cafe where I was served
a delicious meal for under €10.
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| Loved the walls at the Pieros Albergue |
Here are a couple of ads for albergues I saw in this section.
Okay, those who know me know that I love hamburgers
almost as much as Wimpy.
This is the BEST hamburguesa on this section of the Camino.
It is at the end of Cacabelos on the left hand side.
It is inside a little "mall" type place,
and when you look in the door,
you will see the mural I have posted below.
You buy the hamburger at the Donar Kabab place.
YUM!
2015
Autumn
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| Owners at La Piedra |
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| Conan |
For more recent walks on this section and for more photos,
please check out the following links:
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