DAY 27 : SPAIN : RABANAL DEL CAMINO to MOLINASECA - 26.5 kms - 6.5 hours

Distance walked so far in France and Spain : 1300.7 kms (61 days)
Weather : wind, rain, snow (in distance) and sun intermittently : 11o

Tomorrow we will walk through Ponferrada

 

Our route today - tired knees tonight.

Leaving Rabanal del Camino at sunrise

 

One of our first sights today was the view of snow-topped
mountains. We were pleased that we had all our layers
of clothes on. It has been so much fun shopping for so many
of us at the Chinese 2 euros shops buying gloves, buffs,
 scarves for next to nothing. My best buy has been a 3 euro
 thermos flask which fits in my water bottle holder -
wonderful for these cold days.
 

 

Mark standing at the Cruz de Ferro, It is
a  simple iron cross at 1,504m and has
become an enduring symbol along the
Camino.

 

A cow dressed for the occasion in the
fabulous scenery of the Mountains of
Leon.

 

Lunch at a welcoming cafe in the little town of El Acebo.
There was an open fire and excellent atmosphere and
wonderful food - a hanburger with the lot served in a
French loaf with Spanish cheese, fine beef and salad.

 

For the past few weeks we have been walking
on paths and beside fields of huge round rocks
but today it has changed and all the paths were
shale/ slate. (Reflected in the building material
of the houses in the area) Here we are heading
down from 1500m altitude we reached today.

 

The welcome sight of Molinaseca as we descended down
the mountain.

 

Lots of bars and accommodation available in this pretty
place. This weekend many of the places are booked out
as families visit relatives for the All Saints/ All Souls holiday.

 

With one of the albergues closed for the
season we were fortunate to find pleasant
double room above a local bar for 25 euros.

 

 

Dinner with John and Maugie in the warm surrroundings
of the El Palacio hotel.

Maugie's choice a local delicassy : Botilla de el Bierzo
(thick pork sausage locally marinated and served with
boiled potatoes and vegetables - haggis inspired!)

 

M&M

2/11/12

Our email. :  mm_smith@bigpond.net.au