Today we report in from the lovely little town of Villafranca del Bierzo. Bierzo is a little known Spanish wine growing region, this is probably because the wine is produced for Spanish consumption only. We're not sure if we've tasted any yet*, as it may be too good for pilgrim menus, but certainly all the wine that's been included with our meals recently has been very good.
Today we did walk through lots and lots of fields of grape vines and it is clearly harvesting time as lots of families were out picking grapes. As we did in France, we gave them lots of cheery waves and got lots back.
Today's walk was hard on the old paws again as there was a lot of road walking. Our first stretch took us into the historic town of Ponferrada. Here we had breakfast with the best pastries of the Way.
The route of the Camino took us past the ancient Templar castle. What an impressive sight this was, though like most things in Spain, at 9.30 in the morning it was closed.
It seemed a long way out of Ponferrada, and the way marking was very poor. The yellow Camino arrows were very thin on the ground.
We had lunch of €1 mini pizzas, made by a baker, beside a river, dangling our paws in the cool water.
By the time we'd reached Villafranca and found a room in a Casa Rural (very nice) it was 4.00 p.m. and, if our GPS is right, we'd walked nearly 22 miles, although it wasn't supposed to be that far.
After the usual post arrival washing of self and clothes, we had a very productive visit to Tourist Information. A very nice lady booked us a hostal room for tomorrow night at O Cebreiro, which means we don't have to hurry on the 3 hour climb up, aftercare long walk, to try and beat others to the accommodation. She also told us where we could go to print out our boarding tickets for our flight home, so that important job is now done.
We've now just finished a fine 'menu del dia' meal, rather than the usual pilgrim meal - just €2 more - and it made a pleasant change although we still had flan! *We asked and the wine was definitely a Bierzo region wine. It is lovely.
Hopefully back soon, wifi permitting.
Thanks Fred's Mum for all your comments, which are encouraging us greatly.
Love from the Camino bears xxx
2 comments:
Hola Norfolk Branch! What a very fine castle! It looks like it should have starred in many a film about crusades or something. Glad you have your accomm sorted for tomorrow - takes the pressure off a bit. We're sure your next stop will be good because it sounds rather bear like. Suffolk Branch have just been turning their paws to a bit of baking - choc brownies for the Macmillan Coffee morning at work tomorrow - we wish we could send you some for your brekkie! Reassured to hear flan continues to feature large, just like in the books! Onwards and upwards chaps!
We are enjoying blog and our holiday,weather great so far. No wi-fi next week sadly.
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