Total ascent = 260 feet
Cumulative distance = 373 miles
Today was a short hiking day, at just under five miles, although we are now in hill country. The short hike sets us up to walk 13.5 miles tomorrow, to Las Herrerias, the town at the base of the big
O Cebreiro climb.
After crossing a bridge over rio Cua, a kayak launch site,
we came across an olive press on display.
This is how far we have to go... (Kilometers)
And just as a reminder, this is where it startted in Rouncevalles on May 29th.
Just because it was a short walk today, doesn't mean it was a piece of cake. Outside Cacabelos is a 1.5 mile hill. Pictures don't really show hill climbs very well:
Once again we walked most of the day next to a road, if we focused on the horizon, the vineyards and mountains are beautiful. There is a lot of beautiful scenery in this last section of Leon y Castilla.
There's also some strange things. In the middle of the vineyards we came across this place. Concrete statues? Mmmmm...who buys this stuff?
For some reason, the Camino got pretty crowded just outside Villafranca del Bierzo.
Villafranca del Bierzo has been a town on the Camino Frances since the 11th century. It's claim to fame is the door on the 11th century Iglesia de Santiago.
The door is known as the Puerta de Perdon (Door of Forgiveness). Pilgrims who made it this far, but couldn't continue on to Santiago de Compestela, received absolution at this church. Mmmmmm...could we fake ....nah.
The church also has a very nice statue of peregrino Santiago.
The town is built on both sides of a deep ravine. On one side is the 15th century Castillo Palacios de Los Marqueses.
On the other is the 13th century Monasterio de San Francisco.
After leaving our backpacks in our hostel room, we headed into town for lunch. We noticed a hair studio next to the cafe. Both of us needed a haircut, and we had the time today. It's amazing how easy it is to get by with hand gestures. We both left with decent cuts, although he took a little too much off my bangs. Good thing hair grows back :p
Dinner at our hotel (most nights dinner is included with our room) was the best we've had so far. We get three courses. Dave's first course was octopus.
Dessert was a fresh pineapple plate with pineapple ice cream.
Almost too pretty to eat, but that didn't stop us.
Breakfast had the same great presentation.
So the picture with Dave walking up the steps and into the buildings ... if you take another look, the top two bells look like eyes with eyelashes, the center window a nose, and the door a mouth. It was thinking, "Oh no! Dave, don't go in...don't go in!" You are brave indeed to get a haircut, with only hand gestures, but it is worked. Some of the earlier shots of the vineyards and mountains were very nice and I loved the kayak pic! Only 220 km to go + the additional distance to the coast!
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