Day 9 - Sunday 8th May - Ponferrada (rest day)

Today has been a little fiesta of domestic bliss. First job was to finish the washing and get it dried in time for departure at crap o'clock tomorrow.


A leisurely breakfast was followed by an amble up to the old town to have sniff around the castle. Just €4 each to get in, upon production of our Pilgrim's passports. What an absolute bargain! In rip-off Britain it would have been £25 plus £5 booking fee payable to www.robbingbastards.com. Oh yes, and you can print you own frigging tickets off too. So with free map in hand, and stamped aforementioned passports we were in.


My "credencial" (passport) so far

The castle was massive, and had been beautifully restored to its former glory. Yes, some of that had been funded by the EU; so I hope that cheers all you Brexiteers up! We'd have done it much better for 5 times the price* and still be finishing the job. Anyway, it was terrific and we spent ages there. See the pics below.







After all Knights Templars excitement it was time for a drink or two in the beautiful old town. Sat in one of the plazas in delightfully warm sunny weather - so civilised. Spanish families milling around, kids playing (nicely) and no twats playing have loudspeaker conversations on their phones.**

Postcards were written....yes, us old gits still write these relics from a bygone era! Something we thought we'd stop having to do after the loss of all of our parents. But no, our children (and others) apparently like them because "they're real" unlike Facegram, Twatter, Instaface and Hatswhapp.

The narrow streets of the old town were charming. All the usual things you'd expect. Narrow  streets, balconies, atmosphere, flowers, graffiti and the occasional dog poo.






After that we just chilled in a shady spot in a park. Me writing the blog, and Cate, doing her best Granny Norridge,  knitting!!


And that is it for our rest day. Back on the road tomorrow.

*paid to companies run by Boris' mates, of course.

** isn't that one of the banes of modern life? Culprits should either have "a red hot poker shoved up their jacksy" or "have their noses split open with a rusty boat hook" according to one of my more tolerant and liberal friends!

Ps. Why is that every Spanish city has to have at least one ridiculous triangular shaped building? Here is Ponferrada's...






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