Villafranca del Bierzo 194.3 kms to Santiago

A cow on the way to el Acebo

A field of grapes on the long way into Vallafranca del Bierzo

The view as I rested in the shade this afternoon in Pieros.

Yesterday in the line up to get into the albergue. I got there early so I had already changed into my evening gown and had my clothes drying on the line....

No book or sign agrees with how many kms left to Santiago. I saw one optimistic sign at my hostal I am staying at tonight at 177 kms.... Hmmmn. Tomorrow and the next few days are the hardest physically because there is a long steep up followed by a long steep down followed by yet another long steep us and a long steep down. It is the down part that is hard on the bones. I was supposed to have an easy day but on the way out of Ponfrerrada this morning, I hooked up with two spanish boys from Madrid. Today was their first day of the walk. It was dark and there was one sign that was very misleading so at 8:30 PM, we were right back where we started and hour and a half earlier. That probably added another 5 or 6 Kms to walk so right now I am feeling very tired.

I found myself a storage room in the hostal to sleep tonight. Delux accommodations indeed. Maybe I ought to take a picture of it. It looks a little grim but it suits all my needs and it beats being on the top bunk in a crowded tiny room with other sleepers.

Villafranka is lovely and hilly with lots of inviting places to eat. As we get closer to Galicia, seafood is the specialty so tonight I see octopus is on various menus around town.

All is well. I guess I will be walking for another ten days.... today was day 16. I look forward to getting the scary part over with. There are many more new pilgrims now walking as we get closer to Santiago. They add a different flavour to the mix because they haven´t calmed down yet.... That takes a little time. And I don't find them as warm and fuzzy. Maybe that is just today´s mood.... As the newbies hit the camino, I see many awkward, heavy packs and more makeup after the walk is over for the day.

Thankfully, I spent a day in Burgos when I first started and just observed the pilgrims and realized my pack was way too heavy. So much for my kitchen sink....