Acebo to Molinaseca, 17 May (9 kms)

At breakfast, an Australian couple I'd met before reminded me that today was Saturday and everything was booked up in Ponferrada.  I decided to opt for Molinaseca, since I would get there early in the day and be able to look around at leisure for somewhere to stay.

The walk, again with some steep and stony downhill bits, took 2.5 hours, with no bars open en route. The scenery was spectacular, with many wild roses in flower and scenting the path.  It was a joy to glimpse Molinaseca down in the bottom of the valley.

The first place I came across over the bridge was advertising bacon, eggs and baked beans.  Never did an English breakfast taste so good!  The hotels I'd thought of (La Posada de Muriel and Hotel de Floriana) were both full, the latter preparing for a grand wedding.  I finally found a little gem, El Reloj (the Clock), a small Casa Rural with traditional fittings and beautiful crisp white sheets.  The owner lent me his iPad to send an email home, but the Spanish autofill feature drove me mad making unwanted corrections.

I went out for a stroll to the bridge later in the evening.  Lots of Spanish families with kids enjoying the sun, the kids paddling in the river while the parents had a drink.  I was ready for some food, but nothing was available till 7.30 p.m.  (I had only had a bag of cherries for lunch).  I ordered mushrooms a la plancha and chips, but the portions, which were theoretically tapas, were too much for me.

I enjoyed the ambience of the traditional hotel, with lots of ancient artefacts and agricultural implements on the walls.

Near Molinaseca

Molinaseca main street

Mushrooms a la plancha

El Reloj Casa Rural