Day 35 - Cacabelos to La Portela de Balcarce

194 km to Santiago de Compostela

We left Cacabelos in the dark.  By the time we got to the bridge over the river Cúa, just outside the town, the sun was starting to peek behind us.  Then the huff and puff of the hill started.  It was not too bad, it is only about 150 metres climb over 8 km to Villa franca del Bierzo. 

Once in Villafranca we walked thru the town and got a chance to see a castle, el Castillo de los Marqueses, unfortunately only from the outside.  We managed to find the town's plaza.  By then it was 11 am so we had something to eat.  I have found that we can burn up to 5000 or 6000 calories per day and if I don't eat enough I find myself very tired the next day.

We had planned to walk to Trabadelo and camp there.  That would be another 10 km.  We decided to take the easier route that follows a road.  Just outside of Trabadelo we met Matthias, a 19 year old German pilgrim.  Nice young man.  We would be meeting him often at rest periods and walk occasionally with him the rest of the day.

We arrived to Trabadelo at 2 pm.  By then we were tired so we stopped to eat lunch at a rest area.  There were 2 other pilgrims there, an Italian, Mauro and Wie.  Wie is Latvian and we had met her a month ago in Zubiri when we stayed in the same hostel.  The pilgrims world is indeed small.

Time to reevaluate.  Tomorrow we want to get to O'Cebreiro.  The hardest climb of el Camino.  We have to go up 700 metres in less than 10 km.  We would have to walk 19 km in total.  We decided to walk another 4 km to La Portela del Valcarce. It would be almost 4 pm by the time we got there and find a hostel.  That means we only have 15 km for tomorrow (and the climb).  Total km for the day were 24, one of our longest walks.

For dinner our pilgrim menu included caldo Gallego and trout (2 for each).  The waitress was speaking Galician (Gallego).  We are still in Leon but almost at the border of Galicia.

The bad news, I got another bruised toenail (black nail);the third.  That means I am going to loose three nails in the next few months. Ouch!

We are feeling tired but happy and excited.  The end is near.  Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and we should be in Santiago for Holy Thursday.   We are happy to be doing this Lent pilgrimage but we miss our grandkids and our kids.

Lord Jesus, we give you thanks for giving us the opportunity to do this.  We hope this journey will get us closer to you.  Please forgive our misdeeds. Amen.