Unexpected Break in Our Walking Schedule

We took two days off in Ponferrada: one for both of us to get a rest and a second day for Wendy with what seemed to be food poisoning. She spent a quiet day at the hotel watching Spanish television while I did a little food shopping and went for a few cafe con leches. Wendy is doing much better today and was able to walk.

We chuckled at some of the big news items on Spanish television. One item that received big coverage was the story that broke the news that people were not going to the beaches or the local fairs because the temperature was in excess of 35 degrees Celsius. A follow up to this big news item was a cloud of mosquitoes that had bitten people in Mallorca. Several people were interviewed showing as many as three mosquito bites on their arms and legs. One of the interesting aspects of Spanish news is that the commentator tells the story quite quickly and then the reporter interview at least five eyewitnesses to give their perspectives. One does not need too much Spanish to realize the perspectives are often dully similar!

We headed back out on the road today and walked 26 kilometers to Villefranca. We got started before 7 a.m. which was good. By noon, it must have been in the high 20s and it was hottttt! We took an alternative route for the last six kilometers which was, as always, scenic but tougher walking with many climbs and descents.Both of us had sore tired feet by the time we rolled into town. We had a great lunch at a modern restaurant that seemed almost out of place with this town of about 3,300 people.
As of now, we have walked a little over 300 kilometers with another 186 kilometers to Santiago. We are now aiming to be in Santiago on June 13th, a day later than we originally scheduled.