DAY 28 : SPAIN : MOLINASECA to CACABELOS - 21.4 kms - 6 hours

Distance walked so far in France and Spain : 1322.1 kms  (62 days)

Weather : rain, rain, rain - 10o


As the next two days in our guidebook were for 30+ kms we have decided to convert that to 3 days walking 20+ kms. This has meant considering some smaller towns for accommodation. As luck would have it, one of the towns we chose had a boutique hotel with favourable reviews. We were able to secure the last double room for tonight (at special pilgrim rates) and it is amazing value, tasteful, rustic decor and excellent facilities - and a free jazz concert in the bar tonight (The Red Jazz Monkeys) - if we manage to stay up until 11.30, when it begins. It is certainly the best tonic after a day's walking in wet and cold conditions. The hostal is called Moncloa de San Lazaro, check out the website on www.moncloadesanlazaro.com.

Today we walked through the town of Ponferrada

 

Wet weather all day - good day's walking with our
efficient wet weather gear.

 

Ponferrada appeared to be thriving town. 62,000 pop.
It has an electrical power station. Many new apartments
in outlying suburbs and adjoining towns.

 

In the centre of the town is a 12th century
Templar castle which has been renovated.
Ponfederra came under the protection of
the Templar Order in 1178. The order was
outlawed in 1312 and dispanded by the
Catholic Church fearful of its power.

 

We stopped in a warm cafe and had some gorgeous
hot chocolate and churros (deep- fried delicacy)

 

Local cemetries in pristine condition and full of flowers
after families visiting for All Souls' Day.

 

 

Finding remnants of the grape harvest - Bierzo wines.

 

 

 

The very welcoming hostal of Moncloa de San Lazaro
in Cacabelos

 

Our amazing room - I was in that spa in 5 minutes of
arriving!!

 

Immaculate gardens, 2 restaurants, fascinating rustic decor.
Definitely no need to leave the premises until morning as
all our needs are definitely met here...even the BBC World
News Channel.

Families arrive with their young children at the bar/cafe in
 the early evening to enjoy  the holiday weekend and
 the music,  which begins at 11.30 pm.
What amazing stamina the Spanish have!

 

 

M&M

3/11/12

Our email : mm_smith@bigpond.net.au