Villafranca to Ambasmestas

We had a lovely breaky overlooking Plaza Mayor. There were 3 options today the kamikaze route (Mum was a spoil sport and didn’t want to do that option); the steep ascent via the mountain pass or the country road path via two little towns. Thankfully Mum recommended the road more travelled. It was a gentle ascent up the valley. We stopped at Trabelo at the 10km mark for a coffee and a hot chocolate. A pleasantly straightforward walk today and a mere 15kms! My knee is grateful for a shorter walk after the big one yesterday.
We arrived in the heat at this tiny town Ambasmestas. Found our bags and we believe a suite and Mum and I each have a double bed in separate rooms! Unexpected and a treat. Mum stayed at the hotel unwinding and had an apple for lunch, I found a bar in town, open and had delicious ham and cheese on toast and a wine as we have finished the walk! I ran into a lovely German girl we’d met this morning. She’s going on a further 9kms. Check out the photo and let me know who she reminds you of… this tiny town doesn’t go to sleep and a hive of activity at this little bar. After a lovely downtime (perhaps a snooze) we met for dinner and Mum chose the fish and me chicken. Yum. It was quiet. So I encouraged mum to go to the local bar for a baileys- she obliged. All men, we actually asked if women were welcome and we were with open arms. A Bailey’s and a white wine. We are ready for the Camino tomorrow.

Now my take…yes, today was the gentlest day, and we arrived to find a sleepy town and the hotel all closed, with a sign to ring to find out how to enter…which we did, got the code and found keys in the rooms so we gathered we each had a room, as there were only one double bed per room…what luxury, to have a night of privacy, after being in 2 beds pushed together!! So we settled in - beautiful spacious rooms, with balconies…finally there was a man at the desk for a sort of check in…delightfully relaxed…the same man served us at dinner…only other guests seem to be 4 Belgian cyclists…such fun going to Cathy’s bar after dinner…noisy hubbub of male voices, but we joined them with heads held high and I had a Baileys, and finally even a couple of women and even a small child came in too…
Girding up for tomorrow’s walk…the big climb to O Cebreiro…only about 13 kms, but constantly uphill…then we have a rest day…the weather has been kind…not a cloud in the sky…really cold, 6° in the mornings - hand aching - but up to very comfortable 20° or so later…hopefully this will continue for tomorrow - the magnificent views make the climb up worth while…off to bed now.もっと詳しく