The landscape around here is taking on a distinctly Irish look. There are green fields and hills, stone walls, old stone sheds. It all seems so familiar. So is the weather. We woke up yesterday morning to rain. Our route for a couple of hours was steeply downhill, over a very narrow, stoney track. The rain changed to mist, then to low dampening cloud, then back again. It has gotten warm.

We reached Ponferrada at about 1 o’clock. If we don’t stop here, we must go on for a further 12 km’s. In these conditions, we decide to stay. It’s a small city, with a strong Roman and Knights Templar flavour. It’ll make for a pleasant afternoon. And sure, what’s the rush?

Met up with some friends for dinner last night, which was really nice. We headed out this morning in the rain. It wasn’t very heavy but it was persistent. Hour after hour, until everything was wet right through. When we got to Villafranca, we decided that enough was enough. We would stay the night. We found a lovely albergue, run by the nicest family. Mother, father, two daughters. All our clothes are hung out by the fire and we are showered, fed and happy.

We sat by the fire in the bar and played the owners guitar and sang songs for about two hours. Things are looking up. Now, if only the sun shines in the morning, we’ll be on the pig’s back. We live in hope.