With Torsten, Alessandra and Martina one day ahead of me, it is now only me and Jan (there are of course the other pilgrims too). I hope my father will have just as good an experience on the Camino as I have had so far.
Morning sun after having left Ponferrada.
Today we will walk to Villafranca del Bierzo, and as the name is indicating we have now entered the Bierzo region. Until the climb up to O Cebreiro, we will mostly walk down in a valley surrounded by mountains. The part of the Bierzo region the Camino goes through is characterized by its orchards and riverbanks and that it has a considerably milder climate than the high plateau I have walked through.
Walking past dilapidated houses.
The sun is rising behind a row of windmills at the top of a ridge. Then the fields are glowing red. We pass by fields with peppers and tomatoes. The walk is on a mix of roads and gravel tracks.
Jan on the Camino on his first day.
We walk through villages where its houses and balconies are worn and in disrepair, probably places who has lost its inhabitants.
Lagar de Vino in Cacabelos, an old wine press.
In Cacabelos, the municipal albergue is in a church. Before that, passing by an old wine press, Lagar de Vino, after having a break at a café in the small town.
Albergue municipal de Cacabelos.
The best of the scenery on this stage is after Cacabelos, where we evade most of the walking on the road by taking the alternative through Valtuille de Arriba. In the small villages we pass through, corncobs are hanging out to dry underneath the small awnings.
Bierzo scenery.
In the distance we spot the Cantariña Vinos de Familia vineyard, whose house is probably one of the most photographed on this part of the Camino, dominated by the trees towering above it. I make another pinecone animal that I deposit next to a vineyard.
Cantariña Vinos de Familia vineyard.
At the entrance to Villafranca del Bierzo lies the Iglesia de Santiago church. It is its gate that is the main focus, the Puerto del Perdón. For those not able to walk all the way to Santiago de Compostela, this might be the place to seek for repentance. It is said that if you enter through the door of forgiveness and take communion, you will be pardoned for your sins.
The charming Albergue Ave Fénix in Villafranca del Bierzo.
Don Jato is one of the legends on the Camino Francés, he runs the albergue we are staying at, Ave Fénix. A charming crow’s nest of an albergue. At dinner there are pilgrims from twelve different nations at the table.
Villafranca del Bierzo.
Villafrance del Bierzo appear to be a nice town, although I do not spend that much time looking around in it. There appear to be plenty of religious institutions here, with a convent, nunnery, collegiate church and the usual churches and chapels. We arrive too late to visit the old castle, Castillo-Palacio de los Marqueses de Villafranca.
Iglesia de Santiago
A nice day and hopefully it was good stage to ease into the Camino Francés.
<- PonferradaVega de Valcarce ->
No comments:
Post a Comment