Up, Up, Up and Down, Down, Down

Last night we decided to go for pizza while Jewelle and Fiona went to a finer restaurant. All we ordered was pizza and a drink. The pizza was average but our waiter was outstanding. He brought us olives, chips, and a delicious appetizer to start. When he brought out our plates and cutlery, he used a spoon to place the knife and fork exactly in the correct spot. He then presented the pizza with a flourish and carefully placed two slices of pizza precisely on our plates. We thought we would have ice cream for dessert but our kind waiter had other ideas. Out came two servings of flan, the tastiest we have had on the Camino.  All this for 4.75 euros each. When we were about to leave he gave us a special Camino handshake and then blessed us before sending us on our way. We were very touched by his attention.

Today we walked 23 km but it felt much further as we had a very steep uphill out of Villafranca. It felt like we were going up forever but the views were spectacular and well worth the climb. There were very few others on the trail so it was a good time to enjoy the quiet and solitude while the traffic rushed by far below us.

The markers were uncommonly few as we began our descent and we needed to refer to our Brierly reference book several times. We have had some steep descents on route but this one felt longer and steeper and our bodies are still recovering as we sit in the bar at our albergue at La Potela, sipping tea and cold beverages.

It will be an early night as we brave another steep incline climbing to O'Cebreiro tomorrow. We may choose to stop before completing the ascent as there seem to be several albergues on the way.