01 Oct 2018 – ”Old Templar Castle and Undulating Hills of Grapes of Ponferrada”

After the 8 km walk to the Iron Cross, accommodations were arranged for that evening in the town of Ponferrada. It was an ideal site since the hotel sits in the heart of the old town of Ponferrada. Just mere a 50 meters from the hotel is an old Templar castle which sits parallel to the Camino where I begin the next 9 km of walking trail.

While in town that morning, a 10 minute walk takes me to the old Templar Castle. It was quite a fascinating site with a moat still carved around the castle. I took several pictures which I posted below.

After the castle visit, I trekked over to the old nearby town center just below the castle to find a nearby Vodafone mobile office. My local sims chip I purchased at the Chamartin sta
tion had locked up on me because I did not key in the right password. I thought it was the old code I used to have on that phone until I realized later that the password required was the code that came with the chip. Had to have a local phone in case I have to reach someone in the middle of the walk. I was able to locate a Vodafone office in the old town and my cel works again.

At 3:40 pm in the afternoon, I started my walk in Ponferrada towards the direction of Santiago to the next town of Villafranca. It was a 9 km walking on undulating hills of vineyards … sweet small grapes which the locals were harvesting for wine making. Took photos of the walk showing the fields of grapes.

One of the photos shows Joseph Harris from Ireland standing next to me. He has some fascinating story and I asked his consent if I could share his story, which he promptly agreed to. Joe as I call him is 81 years old. He does not have kids but is very proud of the 24 nephews and nieces he has. His wife passed away several years ago.

Two years ago, he had problems with his health and had 4 stints placed in his heart. True to his Irish Catholic roots, he vowed to start his Camino at age 80 last year and completing his walk from Sarria to Santiago. This year, he is here again, and I have the pleasure of hearing his story. He joined me during the last 3 km of this walk. Last December, he was diagnosed with mild Leukemia, and awaiting results to see if he needs to undergo bone marrow transfusion. Joe is such sharp guy and he was telling me stories about the Celts, Moors, Romans, Hadrian wall and ancient Europe during our 3 km walk. … So for all of you who thinks that pilgrimage is not for you, you can think of my good friend Joe you see in this picture.

After 9 kms of walking the hills, a very small quaint little town appeared in the valley called Villafranca del Bierzo. Not too many people you will see as you walk through the town and the town was made up of narrow and sometimes steep cobblestone roads, quaint alley ways and buildings made up of stones and mud. The town folks were friendly and are accustomed to visits by “Peregrinos” (or ”Pilgrims”). The accommodations for the evening is in the town square called Possada Plaza Mayor. More photos of the quaint little town of Villafranca are shown below.