to Cacabelos

Mid morning light on the Castillio De Los Templarios in Ponferreda before we visit and then leave town. Such a gorgeous day too. I'll do a seperate blog for the Castle. A bit of a shame today, we had to be out of our Albergue by 7.30 ( yeah total struggle for the kids) and I desperatly wanted to visit the castle, which wasn't open till 11... So we were forced to relax in a bar ... Oh well.. Its tough for some!

We were also forced (!) to visit a swwet biscuit shop. These are on the corner of most streets, and somply a bakery which dies... Sweet bikkies.. Most are dusted in icing sugar or dipped in GOOD chocolate.. So - result.. Yum..

We chose a pastery each and though I tried to explain that we werejust going to eat them, the lady wrapped them up in gold tissue and paper and ribbons.

We were such little piggies today..

The culture of the romantic Knights Templar is pervasive in this area. Though murdered in thier beds over 900 years ago, the order still holds , if nothing else, a strong hold on the imagination. Below is a costume shop decked out for the upcoming medieval fayres and festivals to be held. The whole family can be a KT.

On through the town and along the highway for much of the walk today. I've said before, I'm alittle obsessed with the architecture here.

 Arrived in Cacabelis a bit after 6. Pretty late, but we had spent alot of time in Ponferreda. 

We were all tired and emotional, and I for one couldnt bear the thought of another snore fest and early rise... So we booked into a nice hotel on the main plaza.

Sigh.. It has a spa bath.. And hot water... And sheets... Am set for the evening.

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.