Day 28 - Ponferrada to Villafranca de Bierzo - 23 km
Oh no! I accidentally deleted my notes for today (that I wrote 2 days ago). ! So I am sure to forget some things. Plus we have not had wifi for about 3 days.
We left Ponferrada about 7:00, the walk took us through a really nice suburb, then out into the small towns. Through vineyards, and past other agricultural crops and livestock. Lots of vineyards today though, and they are starting to get green. Also the workers are out doing whatever they do to take care of them.
We stopped for cafe at one town, and a coke and rest at another. We brought our own lunch along.
When we got into Villafranca it was a challenge to figure out where to go, but we eventually found our albergue. It was a lovely one, built literally into a stone hill. Some of the rooms have stone in then.
We were given a choice of dorms, or for 2€ more, a private room with a bunk bed. We like private rooms. Our room actually had some maple leaf decals on the wall, I guess it was the Canadian room, lol.
And they had laundry service. For 5€, they wash, dry, and even fold your laundry! Amazing.
After we got organized we went for a short walk, found ourselves at a grocery store. So we decided to cook our own supper. Pasta with bacon, mushroom, cheese sauce. Very tasty. And of course wine. We found a nice cheap bottle of UNDER 1€!
Over dinner we chatted with a fellow from Denmark who has done the Camino several times, so he had some good suggestions for us.
After we cleaned up our dishes we tried something new. We had seen foot massagers at a few places but not tried them. So today we did - for 2€ you stick your feet in and get a massage for a few minutes. Nice. Since Rachel won’t give me a real massage, it was pretty good.
Today’s lesson: take advantage of things - like a private room, laundry service, foot massages. Little luxuries on the Camino.
Breakfast 3€
Coke 1€
Albergue 12€
Laundry 5€
Foot massage 2€
Groceries for supper 5€ (my share)
