Sunday, September 26, 2010

September 23 Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo (185.5km to go)

This was a very interesting trek taking us through the vineyards, and it was harvest time with the fields full of pickers. The majority of grapes are red, and were they ever sweet and juicy! Grapes and wineries seem to be the main economic engine in this region, but what do people do in the off-season? I don't expect much, which is the reason many homes have been abandoned and others are for sale. I can't see young people sticking around, and instead are choosing to go to the bigger centers.

It was an easier walk today. Not easy, but given what is in-store for us in the next couple of days it will seem easy. Going through the vineyards was the highlight of the day and I (Mario) was wondering whether he would have had a vineyard had he remained in Italy.

Villafranca is a logical rest stop before ascending 600m. It is beautiful city, and in history it has been ravished by the plague and occupations by the French, British and French again. Today the historic scars are not visible and the highlight was the castle and church of Santigo. See Pictures>>

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