Tag: Villafranca del Bierzo

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Stage Thirty: Villafranca del Bierzo to Vega de Valcarce

A narrow path along the road the entire day. It really wasn’t too bad because we walked along the Rio Valcarce or by woodlands and meadows. A few cows and sheep here and there.

One is tempted to walk through the middle of these narrow village streets, but cars DO come puttering through rather quickly!
Thankfully, there was a concrete barrier between the path and the road most of the way.
No barrier between the path and road, but very few cars came along.
Lots of big pumpkins along the way.
A little church on the side of the road. Usually there is a village around a church. Maybe advancing civilization replaced that part of the village with the road.
Roncevalles is the first Spanish town on the Camino Frances. We start in France, cross the Pyrenees, and walk into Roncevalles.
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Stage Twenty-nine: Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

Got some ups and downs today! Will be a long day for me – 14 miles. My max is probably 15 miles without getting too tired for the next day’s walk.

More road walking than I like today. There was an alternate route that would have been prettier, but it was longer, and with a 16 mile day, I was already pushing my daily limit (must remember I have another day to walk in the morning…and the next..and…)We walked through beautiful countryside this day.

Leaving Ponferrada: Mooned by a couple of wood statues. I did not walk around to the front!
Fall is in full swing

Follow the arrow
The camino path always passes the church

The castle across the street from my lodging. Castle-Palace of the Marquis of Villafranca del Bierzo. Built ( reconstructed) in 1515. People live in the castle. https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo-Palacio_de_los_Marqueses_de_Villafranca
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October 7 Villafranca del Bierzo – A Visit to Spanish Doctor’s Office

image.pngOn the advice of the good medical professionals in Villafranca del Bierzo, Spain, Mary has been taking it easy, and or sleeping while her newly acquired drugs take effect.

It may be interesting to note how much this visit to the doctor costs. Mary did make preparations before leaving home for medical contingencies. And she had with her medically related forms and papers necessary, just in case. So, how much did this cost?

Zero. $0.00 or 0€, if you prefer. So, what kind of forms or papers did she need to produce to get this cost down to zero? None. The kind people said they’ll charge it to Medicare, whatever that means. They didn’t ask her for anything. They didn’t charge anything. Maybe they just looked at her and thought this poor lady needs help; she’s clearly approaching 65 years of age… Ha!

The doctor did admonish her for not drinking enough water. Some things are the same the world over…

Doesn’t wine have water in it?

More information on the medical system of Spain is available here.

Mary took a 2€ bus ride to her next destination, Casa rural Mesón Las Rocas, Carr. Nacional VI, Vega de Valcarce, Spain. We can hope she resting peacefully and will be back on the trail before long. She plans two days of rest.

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October 6 Villafranca del Bierzo: Sick Day

No walking today. Taxi to Villafranca Del Bierzo to see the doctor. My daughter, Camille Court, is also afflicted with the occasional respiratory infection that moves in like a freight train. Some antibiotics and rest will keep it from turning into a much bigger deal. I already had rest days booked for tomorrow and the next day, so with three days recuperating, I’ll be ready to tackle that mountain!