To Ponferrada

Another perfect day to walk, and what gorgeous scenery snd villages to do so!

The mountain pathways wound thier way through stony gorges and lightly timbered forests.  Given the amount of photos, youcould  say I am a bit obsessed with the medieval homes. Below few photos were taken as we walked into the village of Riego De Ambros 

There was alot of down down down today. The loose rock again playing havock with my ankles. 

The beautiful medieval stone bridge in Molinesca , where we lay in the grass and contemplated staying the night.

 

Our dorm in the monastery.. Noisy and a wee bit cramped but thankful for a bed.

Whooo hoooo.. 202 km to go.. Love seeing the number go down. 

Onto El Acebo

Snow capped mountains are a constant reminder to us that we are steadily climbing upward and will soon farewell anything that was flat.

So many beautiful vistas, but once through the lense, lose all magnificence. 

We had planned on staying at Manjarin, but it was already filled when we arrived. Its a completely mad place. Once abandoned, it has the official population of one - a passionate Templar. So many of the mountain villages have been left to rot and slide back into nature. This place is not far from nature, no showers, below is the communal table for a shared meal and the place called a toilet is across the road.. In a field. The Templar is strict about who stays and of substances brought here - nothing stronger than weak coffee, and from the notices, I believe there is prayer time twice a day as well. The one thing I did like, was the 'no getting out if bed before 8 am rule' niiiice.

The long mountain views into El Acebo.

Gorgeous mountain village main street in El Acebo.

Score!! Our Albergue on the edge of town has just been built. It was still a building site when Morgan and Age came through last year.

So beautiful! This is the view from our room. Pretty good for seven euros a bed.

Rabanal Del Camino

Out of Astorga and up into the mountains today. Astorga suburbs weren't as extensive as I 'd imagined them to be, though the little villages we walked intoalong  the way seemed to go on and on. There was alot of roadway walking to start with, and we were glad to get to El Gozo and onto some mountain paths. 

It had threatened to be wet and cold today, and didn't disappoint. 

Some typical mountain homes and streetscapes below. And yes.. The peeps don't take thier onsies off much. 

The cross on the way out of El Gozo

Mountain paths can be fairly rocky and dangerous due to the slatey slippery nature of the stones. We've had a few accidents when the kids were tired and simply not taking enough care to lift feet, but touch wood.. Nothing out of the ordinary. 

I'm wet and cold..

But wonder of wonders!!

I have about a million photos of the events below.. Just so excited.. I love the randomness of the Camino.

Just some random guy working in a field as we entered town.  The bird was on a post - obviously his pet.. I took a photo of it and he came up to us and in gestures offered for Morgan to hold it.. And then Lilly and me.. So excited!! 

How often do you get the chance to touch a hawk - or for that matter handle it? Such a special moment for all of us.. I love the genuine smile from Morgan.