Days 21-23 v2

I've got a few bars of wifi, so this post will be a little info, and mainly a photo dump.

Day 21 - Mazarife to Astorga

33km, 9 hours 45min (Graham and I)

7 hours (Dan & Toni)

Early start in the biting cold, long time road in the dark was quite cool.

First coffee at Villavante, took 2 hours to reach!

Second coffee Puente de Orbigo what a cool place, the town had a great feel and the coffee stop had exotic chickens and pheasants.

The walk was quite pretty with many things to look at along the way.

Unfortunately about 20km in my strained hip flexor started playing up which really slowed down my pace. Voltaren gel helped but the last 12km were pretty slow going.

By the time we got settled in to our Albergue it was nearly 12 hours since we left this morning! We are staying directly opposite the cathedral in Astorga, which is right next to the Gaudi palace. Cost is $14 euro per person and we are in a large shared room with at least 30 people.

Toni and Dan visited the Gaudi palace while I rested my leg. Then Dan, Toni and Graham made dinner of nachos at the Albergue.

Day 22 - Astorga to Rabanal

20km, 5 hours 20min

Really pretty walk

It’s back into nice landscape again. Leg still not great, hence the slow time. Forwarded most of contents of my pack to help.

Accommodation at donativo confraternity of St James accommodation is great, beautiful big garden, tea and biscuits in the garden.

Day 23 - Rabanal to Ponferrada m

34km, 8.5 hours

Up to crux de ferro in the dark, left stones behind. Beautiful alpine landscape, cow bell melodies again.

Evil downhill, that went on and on! I had forwarded the contents of my pack again as we knew this hill was coming up.

Coffee and crepes el acebo, delicious.

Smelly bush - Gum Rock rose (labdanum).

Molinaseca best beer ever! In a frozen glass.

Arrived in Ponferrada, checked in to apartment as having rest day tomorrow here.