This morning I set out in the dark getting to Ponferrada bright and early to get my CCL+SB+Z in an upmarket cafe opposite the castle. Eventually I am joined by Ester and Alex. Apart from a castle Ponferrada does not have a lot to offer at 9.30 on a Monday morning, so after a bit of shopping I walked on.

At coffee time I was joined by a Norwegian lady called Ragnhild, who I had met the evening before. She was the proud owner of a hand-made walking stick, made by a friend in true Nordic style. Dalan turned up and apart from admiring Ragnhild's stick we had a great coffee stop .... one of the treasured and unexpected moments of the trip. I am glad to say we had a repeat at lunch time.

Dalan and I walked on ...a different pace from Ragnhild.... through vineyards to Cacabelos. In the afternoon I joining Dalan, Philip, Samantha and Lucy for a drink

The evening plan was for Ragnhild, Dalan and I to have a meal together, somewhere along the line we lost Dalan, but Ragenhild and I had questionable but cheap pasta together, with Olaf

The Alberge is arranged into 2 person rooms around the outside wall of the church in an innovative use of space. The first night I share a room with Dalan. I decide I am close enough to Sarria, where Rob, our son, will arrive to loose the spare day I have built into the plan and ask to stay an extra night ....negotiating a room to myself.

I have my first true 'day off'... with no sightseeing (The town does not host a lot of sights) I hang out read my book, drink CCL eat SB's, drink a glass or two of the local white wine with a lunch of tapas, have a photo shoot of a window with my very knackered camera, snooze through the afternoon and generally do what any good Degenerate Bum as myself would do under the circumstances.

The arty photo shoot.......CLICK HERE

The bad news is I am again loosing my 'village' of pals, but the good news is some old ones turn up. Christine and her father Arsene, a delightful Canadian father and daughter team, as well as Ana, Sabina and Julia arrive + Jason and the English girls ....one of who's name is Paulina...I think!

I also meet a Marie Luise a German lady  with a gentle spirit and was good company, with whom I share a beer and supper, first of all to hear about the Via de la Plata, (my next project), which she has completed...twice.