October 9 On the way to Villafranca del Bierzo

Blue skies! About 2.5 miles of walking a narrow path beside a road. Ugh. I took an alternate path that ran parallel to the official path, but happily, it was the low road – not big hills like on the main path. Met women from Missouri and California. Just enough- but not too much – visiting and laughter. Three course pilgrim meal with a glass of wine. €16.

Cacabelos wall art
Vineyard
2-1/2 miles of this. Arghhh that’s the path on the side of the road.
This one’s defunct, but newer ones can look quite official. Business owners put up Camino-looking arrows to trick us to turn to their business.
More fake arrows. They point to an albergue.
Another ugly path by the road.
Finally off the road. How about that blue sky!
A “good” arrow on an ancient building.
The bread man delivers. See the loaf hanging from the doorknob?
Iglesia De Santiago. Built in 1186. Passing through a particular side door, the Puerta del Perdón, allows a sick or incapacitated pilgrim to receive the Compostela after fulfilling certain rituals.
Big castle. In 1515, Queen Juana I granted permission for this to be built as the residence of the marquisate. It’s been continuously inhabited and is now the private residence of descendants of the Marquises of Villafranca.
A house on a hill.
Grandpa buying ice cream treats❤️
Me, waving to John on a WhatsApp post on my way to dinner.