Day 32. Vega de Valcarce to O'Cebreiro. Ascent of 770m 16 km distance. Day warm and pleasant. On leaving the albergue Santa Maria de Magdalena 26€ for tiny twin room we again passed the beautiful vegetable garden. Really a work of art and effort. The first two villages passed reasonably effortlessly and then we commenced the climb. Described as steep but really ok I had many puff stops but all well. No blisters and no sore legs. A steep climb in NZ usually ...

Day 31 Bierzo to Vega de Valcarce. 17-18.5 km. we did not take the high road. Good temperature and got away before 8:00 so went a bit further than we thought we would. Last night we had dinner with Julio and Lisette at Don Nachos. Glad to hear SA Marie got her money ok. She told me she felt like a fledgling and it was time to fly the nest. Buen Camino. Big meal and really tasty. Hugh liked them as I hoped he would. Talked Cuban politics Obama care and other thi...

Day 30 truck stop to Villafranca del Bierzo. 4 km taxi 14 km walking. 34 degrees. Currently 6:00 pm and 37 Hugh arrived in Ponferadda at 8:30 after travelling by bus yesterday and overnight. He picked me up by taxi and the driver took is to where the auto strada crossed the camino. He had a battle to get him to go to the truck stop as he probably could not conceive of a pilgrim getting there. Well he had not reckoned with kiwi ingenuity/stupidity. We had a go...

Day 29. Molinseca to Columbrianos 18 kms. Easy walking but again too late leaving. Poor Hugh missed his flight and the Hotel sold his room and then the train was full. Currently on a bus due to arrive around 9:00am. As I was planning to meet Hugh in Ponferada I had a sleep in and left at 10:00am. Molinseca is a pretty town with a beautiful river full of bathers. Ponferada was also pretty and ugly with a wedding in the Basilica. I watch the guests and the bri...

Day 28. Rabinal. De Camino to molinseca. 25.21 kms. Some up lots of down. The photo is me posting a postcard to Jed and Ava. After a good rest felt better in the morning and was up ready to go at 7:00am. Went further than planned cos felt good. Looking forward to Hugh getting here. We can set our own pace. Ok to go solo again. As you will see from the pictures the landscape has changed completely and even a few herds of cattle about. Will upload photos to...