Day 21 Acebo to Ponferrada

I had a really lovely evening last night ,a super meal in the best of company .

It is really lovely to come across a village where animal just roam freely.

I got to bed at 2130 and within minutes I was asleep i awoke this morning at 0700,I was amazed as I did my daily body check that my feet ankles and knees all felt great,having said that I awoke at 0300 and my right hip down to my knee was on fire. I have noticed that when I am tired which I was this morning  I start to feel unsure about everything,I am like on an old lady at a christening ,I double check I have got everything then I do it again and again it is a strange feeling ,I have realised that if I leave anything behind at a hotel it stays there as I will not go back.I am pleased that I did not leave anything behind today,well I do not think I did!!!

I had a lovely breakfast and I was on my way,there was no rush today as I only had 10 miles to walk.

I will miss Acebo,it really was a beautiful village ,as I started to descent out of The Pyrenees I was aware that I had a ridiculous grin on my face and a renewed vigour, this was fantastic walking with stunning views,I walked slowly for once as I wanted to take it all in.

I was walking on the road which made things so much easier.The next village I came to was Riego de Ambros

When I left the village it was back onto treacherous paths again.

The views just got better and better.

I cannot remember when I have enjoyed a walk so much.I was listening to classical music it was hot the views were beyond description and I was in heaven.

Paul a very dear friend of Malcolm's enjoys my shadow pictures,I must say as I have got the sun behind me some of the shadows look superb,this one is for Jeremy.

Sadly after five mile I finished descending and entered Molinaseca,I knew it would not be long before I reacquainted myself with The Pyrenees, I have a vey nasty climb ahead of me in two days.

It was time for my second breakfast.

This really is another beautiful town.

Upon leaving the town I spotted a dog sitting down,ah I thought to myself an opportunity for dog on a blog,as I got nearer to him I noticed he did not move or look very happy

I told him that if he smiled he would appear on dog on a blog and that I was getting 200 hits a day and it was important he made the effort,sadly it did not work.

Then I told him the joke about the two dogs.Wh en one says to the other how do you feel today? The other dogs says ruff!! That failed .

Then I told him I was a dog lover and have three dogs myself, that did not work either.

Even when I told him that if he did not pull himself together and smile fame was going to pass him by 

,not even a crack appeared upon his unhappy face.Well my little furry friend sorry you did not make it onto dog on a blog,as I walked off and left the little unhappy chap behind he still had not moved.

I was soon back into the county and only had five miles to go.

It was even good to see vines again.

I have discovered a very good game whilst I am walking which keeps me amused for hours, I put my iPod earphones in my pocket without a knot in the wire and after an hour I take them out and they are full of knots,I do not know how it happens but it certainly keeps me amused undoing the damn thing,I have noticed the same thing happens with Xmas tree lights I put them away without a knot very year and when Xmas comes round again the same thing happens.

The next village I came to was Campo.

As I left the village I met these two lovely ladies,we had passed each by on countless occasions,we had a good old catch up.

Time for a happy dog on a blog.

Not long before I was entering Ponferrada, sadly whilst I was walking on the flat I felt something go in my right ankle,I could not believe it,I had walked down all those treacherous paths for this to happen,I tightened up my boot to use it as a splint.

I checked into my hotel took some painkillers had a bath rubbed some deep heat into my ankle and lastly did my washing then it was time for lunch.

As I have said before a pilgrims lot is not all bad!!!

Stats for today.

Walked 10.2 miles.

Walking time 3.35 

Ave speed 2.8.

DIstance to go 130 miles

Distance covered 350 miles

Today has been a fantastic days walking,I only wish I had taken yesterday more slowly and taken in the views.If ever you want to do a walk beyond equal walk from Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca and you will be rewarded with the finest views you will ever see,you will be tested but it will be worth it.

My ankle is a reall worry as my other ankle is bad as well, but I have lived with that since I started and I hope I can live with this.I am going to walk tomorrow,I will ensure my boot is as tight as I can get it as it really hurts when I lean forward,which is a worry with the big climb coming ,luckily the boots make good splints as they are so rigid.I am going to be sensible,if I find I cannot walk then I will stop and live to fight another day.

 

.