Day 38

Ponferrada to Cacabelos - 16 kms
18 May 2019

Each day we set off into the new; every day is different. It's one of the best things about our long walk. It doesn't matter if our walk takes us through towns or cities and their suburbs, through villages and wee hamlets or out in the countryside as it is all new to us. Our walk today was a mix of everything. We left Ponferrada reasonably quickly walking through a green area alongside a river, we then passed through a suburb called Compostilla and on through the villages of Columbrianos, Fuentes Nuevas where we stopped at a cafe for an early morning tea and talked to two women - one from Italy and the other from France - then on through Camponaraya and finally to Cacabelos where we're staying tonight.
Out in the countryside we walked past areas of cropping but mostly past vineyards and a few modern large wineries. At one stage we were able to sample ripe cherries as several cherry trees hung over our pathway and they were just dropping on the ground so we didn't feel guilty trying some.
The sky was dark with cloud cover, they covered the tops of the surrounding hills but a brief clearing showed that there had been a fresh covering of snow in places. Several times we thought it was going to rain but if there was any rain it went around us. By early afternoon the day brightened with big  patches of blue sky.
Just by chance we discovered an awesome restaurant as we entered Cacabelos so we had to sample their menu: a heartening vegetable soup and fresh bread and fabulous local desserts such as sweet chestnuts with lemon sauce. Just fantastic. The restaurant had a large internal fireplace with seating around three sides - so lovely to watch the flames as we ate. We returned to the restaurant for dinner.

Walking out of Ponferrada

Leaving Ponferrada behind.

Pappy's house is on the outskirts of Ponferrada. He doesn't have a roof but he'll be watch the stars at night and he'll know when his grape plants are getting rain.

Roses are in full bloom now making such a show.

At Columbrianos - a small chapel with a pilgrim mural on the site of an original pilgrim hospice - plus a stork nest behind it.

A way marker - quite different to any we've seen before.

At Fuentes Nuevas - beautiful Pierre de Ronsard (also known as the Eden Rose) in all it's glory.

The Church of The Annunciation

Once again out in the countryside

Walking through Camponaraya and back into the country...

The grapes are just starting to come away

194.5 kms to Santiago ...possibly

We're getting closer to hills again. Exciting.

This lady was selling cherries just out of Cacabelos - only €1 for a generous quantity. 

Arriving in Cacabelos

The amazing internal fireplace in the restaurant where we had lunch in Cacabelos.

The soup was so tasty.

Our view from our room 

and the bakery next door to our accommodation 

Santa Maria Church in Cacabelos