The day started on a positive note. I came out of the water closet and was met by my friend Helmut from Germany brushing his teeth alongside another young man. Helut saw me and said " happy birthday " and proceeded to hug me while the other young man patted me on the head. All this took place in the bathroom, mind you!
After breakfast , we headed out and up hill toward Cruz de Ferro, about a 2.5 k walk. Once again the morning was beautiful... The sky clear, crisp. The moon still up and the Eastern sky turning golden with the rising sun.
The Cruz de Ferro...a very significant and personal place for pilgrims. Here you leave a stone that represents a burden you wish t o leave. The "mound" you see in the previously published photos is the result of thousands and thousands of Pilgrims leaving stones over a thousand years. It was a very emotional time for me and very personal.
From the cross, it's a rather short walk to Manjarin...a very unique albergue where you can buy the best coffee on the Camino (in my opinion). I love the place.
After leaving Manjarin, we walk up to the highest point on the Camino and then we start down...OMG! five miles down a steep, rocky trail in the heat. I stopped every 30 minutes to rest my foot.
. Sharon was right behind me taking it very slow. Did I tell you it was steep? And rocky? And hot? After a while, it was just plain tedious and boring and steep and hot.
After what seemed like forever, we walked (or did we stumble or stagger) into the village of Acebo
where we bought lunch. After about 45,minutes we headed down to Reigo de Ambros and our Pension. That's when I turned bitchy! We walked 3.2,k (but who's counting),down the road on hot pavement, dodging cars and I don't think Spain has a speed limit.
Well, my attitude went through a fine adjustment when I saw our accommodations. A lovely double room in a lovely home with a beautiful view of the mountains and Ponferrado n the distance.
Not only that, but our hostess did our laundry for us!. Showers soon followed... Then a walk into the village for an early dinner.
Tomorrow we continue our downhill descent into Molineseca and on into Ponfreddo. The descent is steep but no where as long as today.
Life is good on the Camino and so are birthdays.
Good night all
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