One town on today's route offered a different kind of waymarker

Yet another simple-on-the-outside, ornate-on-the-inside church along the way

Villafranca, a town surrounded by mountains

Public water fountain in the city garden

Villafranca del Bierzo

Oct 7–8, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

Today's walk (15 miles) took us through Bierzo vineyards and a few small towns. It was another scenic, sunny day--in the 70s when we were walking, but it hi it 90 around 5 pm, so it's good we finished by lunchtime.

Saw people we haven't seen since early in our trip and spent a little more time with Elizabeth (from Canada, whose shin splints miraculously healed overnight) and Jean (who is from New Mexico and kickin' ass at 78!).

Villafranca is a beautiful, small mountain town that somehow at some point supported three convents, three churches and a monastery. The streets and pathways are hilly and curvy so if you are really tired and on foot you don't want to miss your turn as we did a couple times coming in.

We have a big climb and long hike tomorrow so hope to get an early start (if we can see well enough in the dark).Read more