Day 11/26 Ponferrada- Cacabelos

We started the day with a walk out of Ponferrada, quite late - around 10. It seemed industrial and then we came across some lovely homes, sports fields – it’s Saturday and just like at home, kids sports fixtures underway.

Spring time is beautiful to walk in. New life all around in the flowers, trees, Storks in their amazingly high nests feeding their young.

We stopped for breakfast in Columbrianos, at an expensive and unimpressive place - bad cafe con leche!

Then another stop in Campobaraya. Here we chatted with Reginald and Richard and 3 from Belgium.

On the road to Cacabelos we wandered through vineyard after vineyard- the vines are coming into bloom. About half way we came across an oasis - I love these places. Lovely locals set up a little haven for pilgrims to rest in. Usually a caravan, tables and chairs and .... SHADE! We had a delicious piece of walnut cake, a delicious banana and strawberry smoothie. Perfect.

We walked into Cacabelos around 1530 and our hotel was easy to find. It is Saturday and the place was busy with some kind of party celebration in progress.

From our room I could hear guitars and singing. Some older guys who were due to go inside and entertain the party decided to give us pilgrims some afternoon song. It was awesome. We sat down with a cold beer and enjoyed.

Dinner followed and was really good - pilgrim style. We sat with Cath and Robyn for NZ.

Breakfast €10
Water etc €6
Oasis refreshments €7
Dinner €30
Bed €45

People we met
Richard from Scotland (ex Chaplin)
Reginald from Denmark
3 Belgiums husband wife and friend!
Cath from Whangarei
Robyn from Mt Manganui