Villafranca del Bierzo

Last nights Albergue in Villafranca is only 2 years old as previous building was destroyed in a fire, the owner was telling me this morning, very sad and traumatic to lose your family home in such a manner. Being modern, it’s a tranquil oasis with lawn and water feature in front and with no bunk beds - hooray!! Ordinary single beds with sheets 😊 (as opposed to sleeping bag!) in 10 bed dorm, photo added.
As we’re in the mountains, it was little cool as we left and walked out of town but soon warmed up. The way followed the river, Rio Valcarce, flowing along the valley floor close to the main road, but as most traffic now uses the new motorway, the main road is quiet. I chose the more direct flatter route but Fiona opted for the green mountain route for part of the way, she’s gluten for punishment! So we ended up walking separately today as we didn’t quite coordinate meeting up. There are always people to walk with if you want to and I chatted to father and son walking together from Australia (Melbourne) originally from India, for an hour or so this morning, then a Spanish couple from Barcelona, all lovely interesting people.
Walking through the valley and passing through various villages, there are forested mountains in every direction, blue sky, gurgling river and nature. I saw couple of French ladies picking wild alpine strawberries at the edge of the road this morning, and yesterday a chap was helping himself to cherries from trees lining the road as he walked!
The path gently wound uphill slightly and there was a great view of the new mountain motorway, quite a feat of engineering!
The last third of the walk started to go uphill much more steeply, past alpine meadows and the sound of cow bells in high pastures. As the sun was high, it was quite a slog to get to our destination of Albergue La Escuela in Laguna de Castille after 28km. And then our backpacks weren’t here! the van had broken down, they arrived couple of hours later. We’re very rural here, and the Albergue is the local village bar/restaurant and we were eating when we heard a dozen cows with bells, being herded up the road, they seemed very compliant cows!
My toe is faring very well but unfortunately I’ve developed a blister on ball of left foot but it’s occupational hazard and won’t last long with Compeed etc.Read more