We left Villafranca Del Beirzo at almost 10:30 am. We came upon the town’s Farmer’s Market and could not resist checking it out. It is not much different from a regular street market as people set up stalls to sell their wares. I bought some blood oranges. You can find all sorts of goods here from shoes to roast chickens.

We walked almost 19 kms on this day. There were moments of sun and the camino was on a pathway next to the highway almost all the way from Villafranca Del Bierzo to Vega De Varcarce. Though it is an easy walk, there were moments where I succumb to tiredness (could be the result of having walked 30 kms yesterday).

I had only about 5kms to go to reach Vega Varcarce when I felt so tired. I said to myself, “I cannot go on anymore” and then a writing appeared on the cement barrier separating the highway from the camino path, “THE BEST IS YET TO COME” in bright yellow. It is almost someone had walked this path and knew to spray paint these words at the right area to motivate and inspire tired pilgrims at the right time. It helped me for sure.

We reached the tiny town of El Portella and had lunch there. It was only one more hour to Vega de Varcarce. Fortified by a good hearty lunch of lentils and tuna salad, the walk into Vega was very easy.

We stayed at El Roble and the cost was only $5 per person. They have a wonderful wood fireplace but the dormitory room was quite cold. The caretaker did provide an electric heater which helped but my sleeping bag was my warm embracing wrap for the frigid night.

Overall, not much to report except it is cold and wet. I hope the spring weather is faring better in Calgary.

Peace and love,
Hilda 🙂