Day 39 Ponferrada to Cacabelos

This morning I woke up before 7am. I proceeded to do the normal pack up and go type thing. 

I went downstairs around 7:30am and settled the bill. 

I walked out and met a Canadian named Janne. It was her first day on the Camino and she wanted someone to walk with her for the first few km's. I told her it was my 39th day, that's when all the questions followed.  At that point I realised I was a seasoned Camino pilgrim. There are a few things I know about this route and how to handle it.

By the time I got into Columbrianis I was hungry, Janne and I parted ways as I needed to eat. 

I took a photo of the Ermita San Blas y San Roque the site of the original pilgrim hospice with a colourful pilgrim mural. I stopped for breakfast    to refuel.

The walk was great, some farmer planted cherry trees on the pavement, clearly for pilgrims, I picked and ate a few. This is what I call being out and about feeling the freedom. A moment I cannot repeat again, I am  so blessed to enjoy the nature on a daily basis.

I walked on and arrived in Fuentes Nueves, a sleepy little village with a couple of pilgrims on the sidewalk having coffee and a snack.

It's a little town I could spend the night. I love this part of Spain, the gardens are beautiful. I am feeling so earthed in this area, possibly the vineyards reminding me of home.

2.5km's later I was in a town called Camponaraya, a modern town, fortunately it was Sunday. I did however find a restaurant that made me a bacon and cheese sandwich.  A little more fuel that I did not really need, at that point I did not know I was going stop earlier than planned.

The walk out of Camponaraya was uphill to start with a long downhill after that. I zoned out walking through the vineyards, some of the farmers were doing a summer prune and views of the mountains were spectacular. I had this feeling I needed to stop in Cacabelos, Dawn mentioned on Facebook last night that its awesome. 

I walked straight past Moncloa de San Lázro and then turned around and went in. That's when I realised that I was in a very special place.

I got to reception and the lady could not speak English, she called the owners daughter who could speak English. I was a little early to check in  so they packed my backpack away, then they poured me a wine and gave me food, they do it for all pilgrims. I was shocked by these lovely people. 

While I waited in the bar for my room to be prepared an orchestra was playing, they were all teenagers. It's just what I needed after 15km's.

They came to call me when my room was ready, wow what a stunning room with a nice big bath.

One of the biggest things that hit me today was walking past a sign and on it was, "194km's to Santiago". I am now in the 100's and that is rather scary, where did the time go ?

I am not ready for this to end just yet.