Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierza

PONFERRADA TO VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO 

Night time at the Castle.

Our Albergue window.

Roz and I took the bus out of Ponferrada to avoid the concrete and walking on roads. We went to Cacabelos.

This is a wine press from the 18-19th century. It is made of an articulated chestnut wooden beam.

This the Sanctuary of Quinta Angustia.

It is a municipal albergue. Each of those doors is a sleeping room that sleeps two and goes in a semi circle around the church. It is very basic as everything is outside with no kitchen or laundry facilities. It is only open during the summer.

We headed up off the roads into wine country. It was such an enjoyable walk and the pictures don't do it a bit of justice.

The smell of fermenting grapes and the sound of birds chirping.

Many of the wineries have big signs on the vineyards.

This is a little town called Valtuille de Arriba. No services but a really adorable village. 

Roz and I had a snack here and just sat and enjoyed the town. A truck came into town honking his horn and all we could figure out was it was a warning because he had propane tanks in the back.
These antennas are everywhere. Internet?

Lots of empty decaying houses.

Coming into Villafranca del Bierzo. This church is a 12th century Romansque style church.

We turned the corner and there was another castle. This one is actually still occupied by a Viscount and his family.

And of course the churches, of which there were at least 3 in this town.