Day 36 Wednesday 30th
Villafranca del Bierzo to Vega Del Valvarce. Cool overcast no rain.
17.1 km 375 up 275 down.
Mostly walking beside the road on a concrete shoulder behind a barrier. Hard on the hips as the camber of the road was extended on to the shoulder and so one hip was always higher than the other. Felt odd then a bit sore. My therapy is to lie on my bunk. The cover shot is of my 16 bunk room. Only one other guy in the room at present. This is what you get for 8euros. Lou and Tawna have a room upstairs see in photos for 30 Euros plus. No single rooms available.
We mostly followed the river Valvarce from Bierzo to here. A pretty little river with clear water. No fish yet. We went through a town called Trabadelo and it has many old ruins for sale. Maybe some are salvageable. A winter sun destination anyone interested in a timeshare. The storms are becoming fewer. Such a pity as I do enjoy them.
Tomorrow is the climb to O’Cebreiro. Which I think will be fine. The down the next day will be more of a challenge I think. I am feeling strong, feet are good, knees ok and plenty of puff for the up hills. I am always tired at the end of a day but fine after a shower and half an hours rest. The aches disappear overnight if I get plenty of sleep.

Hugh, you may remember this village where we stayed with a creepy older man and his son and an American woman who had come back from her Camino to live with the son. I was boiling eggs in the kitchen and mice were running around. Glad I avoided that one this time. Hope the trip is going well. Don’t save too much money on accommodation. I won’t from now on. There was a temporary hold on my money card but I have sorted it. All over a declined Aussie dollar transaction for 14$. Ok now. 11 days to go and plenty money left so whoopee.