I forgot to put the price of taxi to Triacastela - 25 €. So fairly inexpensive to move forward approximately 75 km! Rain had stopped for now but still forecast tomorrow so will dig out the poncho - only going 8 km & it is mainly flat so will bey chance to experience walking the Camino in rain with not too much pain...

Home for tonight.

Views of Triacastela

Good night!

Arrival in Triacastela has been accomplished!! At 11:00, we took a taxi (8€) to the autobus estacion in Ponferrada. We got tickets for 12:00 bus (5.23€) to Nogales. After a spectacular mountainous route, we arrived. In slight rain we walked a block to bar where we asked for a taxi to Triacastela. The barmaid said UNO moment & went into different part of building. She returned to bar area - we waited - after awhile she went back & returned with a young lady who is the taxi driver!!! And of course this was all done under the gaze of 5-6 Spanish men having a drink at the bar! They had a good laugh at my pronunciation of Triacastela- I always enjoy giving entertainment for the locals!! So in now pouring rain we took off on a road that was barely wide enough for one car let alone two - we went up, down, around, through & up & down some more!!! At some point, we connected with the Camino path again & really felt for the intrepid pilgrims who were braving the weather & mountainous terrain!!

Fantastic countryside!! Would have been nice to walk through but too far & too much up & down for me! And today, it was too wet! We were suspiciously dry upon arriving at the Albergue...

The taxi ride to Ponferrada went well! We were here around 10:00 with the Albergue opening at 1:00 so we sat on a cool metal bench in the cool morning air!! Agnes got cold so walked around & investigated the neighborhood - I dug out my jacket & sheet & read! The hosts arrived by 12:15 & took pity on us & let us into the communal room which has two comfortable sofas & blankets!! Then around 1:30 Hilde & Judi arrived feeling very proud of making their downhill walk through the mountains! The taxi ride was close to be a motion sickness inducing ride so I know they did good!!! We are 4 to a room which will be nice tho the top bunks are quite high up & one set is wobbly so the plan is to put the mattress on the floor with host's blessing! They are very considerate of "older" pilgrims...We went into the old city & saw some of the sights.

Tonight' s Albergue

Lunch - scrambled eggs with mushrooms deliciously prepared!

Street decoration

Church doors

Castle

Now trying to determine if I can catch a bus to Triacastela tomorrow - being Sunday might be a problem...good night!

Well once again I had a long post with photos ready to publish & it disappeared!!! So when will I learn to keep it short & post often??? Perhaps before I reach Santiago...The taxi ride this morning was close to being a motion sickness experience

Plans are made for tomorrow, Oct 4. Agnes & I are taking a taxi to Ponferrada while Hilde and Judi walk the 16 km - 8 km of it downhill!! Will miss beautiful scenery but knee will appreciate the rest. We are booked at a private Albergue so all set!! Then I will be taking a bus to Triacastela to start the last 100 km - if it runs on Sunday. Here are some random photos of Acebo - a very quaint stone village

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Made it to Acebo! It was a difficult trek - first up then down! My knee is definitely hurting - will rest & then determine what the plans are for tomorrow.

Sunrise after leaving Foncebadon this morning at 7:45.

The Way!

At Cruz de Ferro - a place to leave your sorrows in form of rocks. I placed 4 - two for myself and one each for two friends.

Looking back east...

Spectacular views!

Does the path go up to this tower - that was the burning question for quite awhile!

A different terrain on this section

Then there was this terrain

And yes, we did climb up to the tower !! It is supposedly a military installation.

And then we came down!

Pilgrims or peregrinos in Spanish can be quite creative.

Okay, only 800 meters to go -- that was the longest distance in the whole day's walk!!!! 

After 5 hours of walking & resting, I did make it to Acebo

and home for tonight!!!

I've had lunch, did laundry & written this blog - now nap time!!!!

Aha! Made it up the  uphill 5.6

km to Foncebadon in good time. Judi from MI walked with me as she was also stopping here so didn't mind taking longer. It was nice to have company! Maureen from PA also caught up with us but she continued on. I used one trekking pole & the knee band & the knee is feeling just fine - perhaps I have found the answer to the problem of hurting knee!! Also remembered to rub on the topical ibrophofin - amazing stuff!! So tomorrow is the stop at Cruz d Ferro and then downhill with the night's stop in Acebo.

Back in the mountains

The Albergue Monte  Irago

Finally, a cow outside!!

A trough & spigot along the way

Behind tonight's albergue

This was as we left Rabanal this morning. There was a problem with wi-fi so couldn't post this earlier. The walk was quite pleasant this morning & I am spending the day with Judy, Hilde & Agnes so a very nice day!! Until tomorrow...