Today was Spain in all of her glory. Spain is a riotous jungle of old and new and crumbling all side by side and working together. Today was cities and towns and villages, rural farmland and budding vineyards. It was tractors and Mercedes and odd little trucks parked side by side. And plenty of churches and chapels. It was a day that made me remember why I love Spain so much.
There were plenty of luxury single family homes. Can't you just picture a little girl climbing out the window to go to the fair or maybe there was a secret garden behind the house. I thought of so many possibilities just standing on the sidewalk with my camera.
We walked through a building. I am guessing that the building gave way to the Camino of old. If you can't build over it...
The ever present Santiago.
Art in unexpected places.
Looking back at Ponferrada, I saw this interesting high-rise. Clever and modern.
A new type of way marker.
These were growing everywhere. Poppies?
This is the Spanish Kale. You see it in every garden. It is much tougher than our American kale and used more in soup. I had it last night in my soup and loved it.
I love seeing the kitty-cats.
There were beautiful flowers all day...some on purpose and some wild.
The Parraquia Ntra Sra. de la Asunción with the required stork.
This was one of the most beautiful small churches that I have seen anywhere in Europe. Magnifico!
Look at this beautiful ceiling...the last supper.
And a wonderful altar dedicated to Santiago.
I thought this porcelain statue particularly pretty. Unusual from what I have seen in other Spanish churches...not the over the top gold.
Loved the little statues at the gate...Dennis and I aren't too far away from this age. My favorite Archie Bunker story ever, was when Edith was fretting about her age and Archie (in the typical Archie manor) said something like, "Look here Edith. God knows what he is doing, when we get old and wrinkled, he takes away our eyesight so you look just as beautiful to me as you always did."
I loved these little thatched roof storage bins. They are usually for grain and the posts keep the rats away.
I went in this little bodega and had a diet coke. They gave me a wonderful tapa of tuna and potatoes inside a double crust pie shell. MMMMMM. I only ate a little of the wheat but I had to try it.
This unassuming little church, the Capilla San Roque housed a museum. There was a troll to give you a stamp and collect money for the church. I'll admit when a church asked me for money, I reach in my pocket. Also true of girl and boy scouts or any kid selling anything!
I am not sure what the theme of the museum was but it was a nice break from walking.
The number of churches was a nice surprise today. I had looked at the map and didn't think today would be very interesting. Just when you think you know what is ahead, the Camino always gives you something extra. The bodega and the two churches were in Cacabelos.
I thought the stained glass windows were unusual.
The main altar was rather plain.
However the float they use in the parades was quite ornate.
The last six miles of the walk was through maybe one of the prettiest areas of Spain. We are in the mountains and it was kick your butt up.
I love when they pose for me. He did not cross my path...not that I am superstitious! He probably should have. He was chasing a lizard and I came around the bend and messed up his lunch.
Fabulous.
So I almost stepped on this little guy, no wonder he is missing his tail. I also saw a bright bright green lizard of about a foot to a foot and a half long. He was so fast, up on his four legs that I couldn't get a photo.
I remember this manor house from my first Camino. I still think it is one of the most scenic views of a house that I have ever seen. It sits way up on a hill, over-looking acres and acres of vineyards.
Cute little truck!
Not only were there flowers but there were many trees full of fragrant blooms.
The vineyard workers were out in force!
This photo is especially for Zoomie, his Spanish cousin.
When you come over the mountain into Villafranca Del Bierzo, this is your first sight. I was glad to see it at 17.1 miles and 39,422 steps. Whew! I was starving. I stopped at a little bar that I stopped in last time and had a wonderful tortilla bocatillo which turns out to be sort of an egg sandwich. I ordered it without the bread and supplied my own bread. It was yummy!
Adios, until manana.
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