Week 2. Villafranca del Bierzo to Portomarin June 29-July 4 aprox 105 Km's

Day 7: June 29 rest day in Villafranca.
Sleep in and quite day exploring this beautiful 11th Century town, catching up with washing and having a swim in the river at the town's riverfront recreational area.
We encountered rain on our arrival the day before which kept up for most of the day but temp. still in high 20's.
Early dinner and made ready for the next stage of facing the challenge of North West Spain's mountain ranges. The weather has turned and forecast of 7 days rain, showers and thunderstorms with much cooler temps. A bit of testing was coming up.

View from our Hotel overlooking the Plaza.

Hotel entrance.

 Municipal building.

My swimming hole.

 Queuing up in the rain for the local theatre production.

 Fixed street bins for recycle, organic and general waste.

One of 1/2 doz. Monasterio's located around this beautiful 11th Century town.

Day 8: Awoke to steady rain and after a 7.30 breakfast 'packed' up and began our 18 km journey to Vega de Valcarce, approx. halfway to the final ascent to O'Cebreiro.

 On the outskirts above Villafranca in the morning rain.

 Mountain streams flowing steadily.

Entering one of the many small villages that dot the 800 km's of the total length of the Camino Frances

 Reorganising after a short rest break.

 Amazing what you come across on the other side of the world!

Entering our destination village.

  

Our 'digs' for the night.

 Our restaurant and bar where one of the best gin and tonics was prepared with the same detail as a top London Hotel.

Day 9: Up early on another rainy morning for a long 13 km haul to O'Cebreiro (alt 1330m ) then down and up again to Santa Maria do Poio ( alt 1335m ) 10 km's the other side.

 Some pretty amazing engineering feats through the mountains as seen here with the single lane twin structures of the National Motorway N-V1 towering up over the ranges.  

 Entrances to mountain villages.

   

Some views part way up the mountain to O'Cebreiro.

At the top at O'Cebreiro.

And over the other side. Note the motorway.

Peregrino memorial at San Roque (know how he feels)

 Another challenging climb to here (not a good way to finish) 

Our 'digs' on the mountain.

Day 10: Despite the challenges of the previous day up at 0700, breakfast 0730 and away 0800 for an easier 15 km rainy day to Triacastela which falls to 670m.

 Poncho of a pilgrim ahead stands out in the mist and rain. 

Well earnt coffee break (cafe in Spanish)

Along the way to Triacastela.

Centuries old chestnut tree at Rimol near Triacastela

Notice for our 'digs'.

Day 11: Triacastela to Sarria. 0830 19 km rainy morning start with undulating countryside with a few short but steep inclines that fall away as sharply as they rise. 

 Departing Triacastela

 Large wall mounted Camino clam shell reflected in the spring pool.

 Along the Path to Sarria

Sarria riverside restaurant/bar strip.

Day 12:  Another rainy morning start for our 25 km trek to Portomarin. A bit of a milestone is reached along this section when we pass the 100 km to Santiago marker. It is from Sarria that the route can become very busy with tour groups and those who travel the last 100 km to be eligible for their 'Compostela' or certificate of the Camino, with this distance being the minimum to qualify. Once reaching Portomarin, we have a another day's break before heading off Friday July 6, to complete the 92 km 4 day leg to Santiago de Compostela.

Rainy morning out of Sarria.

 Familiar sight both on the left and the right!

 Well worn centuries old stone.

Beautiful old Roman bridge. If only the stone could talk!

100.252 k's to go.

 School tour group. 

 Old world charm!

Portomarin getting closer.

 Great view of the river which is a dam at this point.

 Final stretch over the bridge.

Our room with a view.

A one day break for washing, restocking and rest. My next and final Camino blog will come from Santiago de Compostela. Buen Camino.