Photo: Castillo de los Templarios, Ponferrado
May 26, 2001 I was on the road at 6:30 AM. Ponferrado was a large town and took some time to walk through. The nicest section walking that day was the few villages after Ponferrado that I covered in the morning. In contrast, the afternoon walk was mostly on an asphalt road with little shade. I was very hot by the time I reached Villafranca del Bierzo. I went a few miles farther to Pereje, a small town. I had walked about 21 miles.
The refugio was a very pleasant house with a large backyard. There was a group of young Spanish men who very drunk at 4:00 PM and remained in that condition until after midnite. Others included two older men from Amsterdam, a Puerto Rican man, an Italian/German couple and a number of French bikers.
That night we all were served a family style dinner outside in the lawn. The dinner was spinach and bean soup, potato and egg tortilla, chorizo, and an ice cream dessert. Afterward the Spaniards provided some spirited singing.
Credential stamp
Photo: Flowers near Riego de Ambros
Photo: Road out of Ponferrado
Photo: Church in Cacabelos
Photo: Stork nest on top of church
Photo: Countryside
Photo: Refugio at Villafranca del Bierzo
Photo: Village street
Photo: Ralph in Pereje
Map of camino
