From Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo (26 km)

I wake up only at 6 am and start my way at 6.30 am not before I make some drastically changes to my backpack: everything that is not essential has to be left behind. I come up with about 1 kg of things which I realy don't need - I leave that stuff behind.

From my hotel I try to find my way back to the Camino. While I am checking the map at an intersection a taxi driver hunks and points me into the right direction - friendly people here in
. It takes some time to get outside of this large regional city and I target to have breakfast
in th city with the interesting name Cacabelo ( loosely translated to: nice shit).

Cacabelo surprised me though: an extremely beautiful village with  nicely maintained historic buildings - and great breakfast places. Short before Cacabelo I pass by Hans and Soeren from Jutland, Denmark. They carry their stuff including tent in a self fabricated trolley stringed to their shoulders. They have been hiking for almost 3 months now as they started from their hometown in Jutland - those cray Danes.

Which reminds me to mention: my friends Lone and Benny invited me to their 50. Birthday party which takes place today. I confirmed immediately even though Benny said," Andreas, no stress. You I'll be on your Camino and we understand when you cannot come". Back then I thought it would be easy to just get to the next airport and fly out to Billund in Jutland, Denmark. But Benny was right: once you are on the Camino it's hard to break out for some time. I would have gone there in my hiking clothes - and only I probably would have thought that my jacket does not smell like sweat:)) I wish you both a phantastic party with your friends and family - I will come up in July if I may and catch up with you!

Short before Villafranka the Camino makes a funny loop towards the north passing through some
lovely countryside so / vineyards. Unfortunately I witness this morning how the vine farmers spray pesticides all over their plants - as much as I like Spanish vine, the vine from Bierza is on the 'no go' list from now on.

VIllafranka is a pictures village at the bottom of several mountains - my hotel is at the plaza mayor and as I am writing the story Iam waiting for my room to be cleaned: the hotel manager agreed to give me a room with a king size bed instead of two tiny twin beds.