Dat 23

We left Ponferrado this morning after coffee and chocolate croissants. We stopped at a Farmacia (for supplies) which took a long time. A very helpful clerk.  We were not on the road till 8.45 am!  We went through a nice neighbourhood - like the Shaunessey of Spain.  We stopped for a very nice empanada, walked through vineyards, saw lots of pickers and then small carts taking their gaper to cooperatives.  Wine tasting for a euro before we hit the payment.  It was a steady walk for a couple of km uphill in rising temperatures till we crossed the road into the vineyard territory - should hae been pleasant but with many hills, dust and blazing sun we didn´t arrive in Villadranca del Obrizo till 4pm.  It was a very steep decline into the town - in the Plaza Mayor we checked into Hotel San Francisco and bargained a cheaper rate for our rooms.  50 euros per room.....saved 5 euros each!!  hey we have to economize where we can!  Internet was free in the lobby.  We downed 4 beers and peanuts before heading to our rooms.  The hotel girl was very sweet, gave Jan ice for her foot.  We had dinner in the square, gazpacho, salad and pizza and vino tinto.  Lots of activity in the square - loands of young people lined up waiting to get into a theatre. We had a very short walk around then we were off to bed.  All had a decent sleep, although paper thin walls - we heard others in the halls.
Today we walked 24 km.