Day 24 - Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

We were rudely awakened at first, by loud kids in the nearby parking lot with car radio blaring about 5 am. Within 15 minutes a high pitched alarm went off ( possibly set off by a Pilgrim leaving early) which was not shut off until after 6 am. (We wondered if this was a routine to get the Pilgrims to leave early.) 

We were on the road before 6:30 am thinking that with towns located every 3 kilometres this morning there would be lots of opportunity for a coffee break. Little did we know that there was nothing open on a Saturday morning. There also were no toilets! 

The first open Bar was at Fuentes Nuevas. They did have a toilet but the food offerings looked like Vachon "Joe Louis" that I wouldn't eat at home. But when you are desperate, you can somehow choke down a cellophane wrapped chocolate waffle or packaged donut. 

Ada limped along another 2.5 kilometres but needed a seat in order to switch from her hiking boots to her sandals. The first bench we arrived at was at a wine co-op. Of course you have to "taste " the wine offering. Little did we care that it was only 10:30 in the morning. The wine of course was good and came with empanadas (meat tart) and a bathroom. These are all important additions on the Camino.

The path moved off the roadway through scenic vineyards where we met up again with "the New Mexico family" walking with two from the Carolinas. The scenery was like a picture with workers in the fields as we walked the dusty path. 

It is both interesting and frustrating when we see signs updating the distance to Santiago.  Here are three in the order that we saw them today. 

We passed through Cacabelos and continued walking on the pavement to Pieros. The rising temperature, lack of breeze and reflection from the pavement made this stretch feel like the fire of Hades. Our guidebook suggested that we avoid the first turn off but take the second one. It offered no more shade. We had both finished our first jugs of water and were well along our second. 

We had a delightful surprise of an artist's studio in the middle of nowhere. If you want a large horse head sculpture these were wonderful. 

We came upon the Municipal Alberge for Villafranca del Bierzo and chose not to take another step.  The town would have to wait until we were showered and revived.

Our choice for supper was a restaurant for another pilgrims' meal or the Supermarcado for groceries. We opted for salads from the grocery store. 

While in town we discovered that the streets were cordoned off for a triathlon. It was fun to see the cyclists roar into the village and swap their bicycles and helmets for running shoes and caps and take off for the river.