Molinaseca to Cacabelos

Left Molinaseca at the civilised hour of 7.10 this morning. The streets were wet as it had rained overnight but the sky was quite clear tho with clouds over the hills.
It’s a long road walk into Ponferrada - quite pretty but still a roadside pavement. The highlight was a rainbow just before Ponferrada.
The camino doesn’t seem to take you through the scenic route but Ponferrada is a lovely small city with a beautiful historic centre - which I eventually found. Had breakfast and lots of coffee at a bar in Plaza Virgen de Encima where Caroline and I drank lots of wine last year (at the opposite end of the day). Today”s tune as I walked out of Ponferrada (also all along roads) was an annoying pop tune which I think I heard coming out of a bar in the town. Had to banish it a bit later as it was driving me mad.
Met lots of good people along the way today and finally a few with a similar sort of planned arrival date which means we may see them again. Steve and Vicky from Oklahoma, Jon and Diane from somewhere in the states who are on their third camino and a number of others including a trio of ladies from South Africa led by Ilsa.
Ponferrada sits in a bowl surrounded by hills so after breakfast and the supermarket it was a bit uphill and then along until Camponaraya. This seemed a slightly soulless town but soon after we were out into the vineyards of the Bierzo wine region - very lovely with lots of birdsong even at midday.
Arrived in Cacabelos around 1.30. Our albergue, La Gallega, seems good apart from prohibition about doing washing in room (we have ignored and hung outside as we have a small balcony). Went swimming in the very cold but refreshing river which was wonderful. Then back for showers and wine. Sat talking to Steve and Vicky and Bernie from Austria turned up again. Eating a bit later tonight and I’m (surprise surprise) very tired. Possibly a big walk uphill tomorrow if I choose to do that rather than walk along the road.Læs mere