One Year Ago: Slowly, Slowly
(from my journal)
Vega de Valcarce
24 April 2013
On the Road Again! Where’s the Coffee?
Fun hiking day in the morning, walking off and on with Smith and Tara, Santiago, and Stella and Diego.
A Beautiful Morning!
WHERE. IS. COFFEE??
Looking Like a Painting
Aaaah. Coffeeeeee.
Sculptor’s Studio just outside of Cacabelos
In Villafranca del Bierzo, I mailed a box home of souvenirs, the first volume of my journal, some extra clothing, and Francine’s extra knitting project. Smith and Tara also posted home a (much lighter) box.
Villafranca del Bierzo
Tara, Smith, Francine walking in Villafranca del Bierzo
Villafranca del Bierzo
Villafranca del Bierzo
Walking mostly on highway after Villafranca. Hugh sections of this are poorly waymarked, particularly between Trabadelo and Vega de Valcarce. Lunch in Pereje with Smith and Tara, Ian from Glasgow (who we met entering the village), and Anya from Nuremburg.
Then, the heat set in. Progress slowed to a crawl, and we finally settled into a bar in Trabedelo for several hours, drinking water and soda and trying to outlast the heat. At some point, we were joined by the vagabond Patty Kelley (of Ireland by way of Westchester – she apparently used to live right by Francine’s high school!)
After about 4pm, we progressed by slow degrees to Vega de Valcarce, where we checked into a brand new, unlisted albergue. Dinner in town with Iain, Rose and Tom, Pippa and Ann. A great time.
Vega de Valcarce
Vega de Valcarce
Stayed after and had a whiskey and some conversation with Iain about tomorrow’s challenges and his work as an engineer in the oil industry.
Photos! Day 23.