This was the day for the ultimate in sunrises.... I make no apology for sharing several pictures. What made it special  was that immediately after the sun had come up it passed through some layers of cloud...very 'WOW'

Also the morning walk to Villafranca, was a another unexpected treasure through rolling hills of vineyards.

Villafranca was different, it took me ages to work out where the shops were. Also I received one of the nicest gifts I have been given...ever... the cost little, the gesture so much.

I was sitting drinking my CCL outside a bar and a well dressed lady of a senior disposition (quit the niceties Lievesley, you are nearly 60...let's say slightly older than myself!) walked past, we wished each other Buenos Dias and she then rummaged in a her bag and pulled out an SB and gave it to me.

This is in the true tradition of helping pilgrims, she must have a direct line to The Almighty to know my drug of choice is a Sticky Bun. At times like this you feel very humble. ...After giving me one she offered me a second, which I turned down (A test I think from the man upstairs...I might have passed this test for a change.)

After a long time by the road in a river valley we moved into woods, where you were conscious of a different lifestyle. I decided to stop at Trabadelo, a good private Albergue but I was all alone, I showered, did my washing, had a snooze, went to the local bar, which was a sort of motorway rest stop when Ana passed by and questioned my sanity staying in an empty village with no one at the Albergue.

She suggested I walked on with her to  Vega de Valcarce.

Good move..... there was lots of great chat and banter in the kitchen with an Italian called Massimo, who seemed to be doing the whole journey at high speed.

After supper a lot of us, including Charlotte a happy Australian lady, sat outside and watched the stars as well as the Templar castle ruin which had been lit up on the far hill.