El Acebo to Ponferrado. Day 25

The following photo is of the path entering the next town after El Acebo. Was hoping for breakfast but nothing was open. It was a pretty steep descent again today (we purposely split the long descent into two shorter days to save our knees). 

Having left behind a walking pole on two separate occasions, I bought a new set in Astorga in anticipation of sore knees and not being able to finish the camino. Trekking poles are essential to most of us     If I had not been using them, I would not have gotten here successfully. 

The small church in town. Closed. 

Leaving town. Nice walk through trees on a flat path (for a short while anyway) 

Entering 

Molinaseca 

The bridge into town. 

Breakfast!  My first bacon and eggs since leaving home. Wonderful. 

Leaving Molinaseca. 

On the way to Ponferrada. Picking grapes. 

Bridge into Ponferrada 

This is where we wash our clothes. We are at the parish albergue--the only albergue in town. It's big yet nice. Great kitchen and dining area. We cooked in last night. 

Dome in the church at the albergue. 

View of garden and church from albergue 

Down to 202 km!  

After arriving in town I grocery shopped for lunch and dinner. After we ate a sandwich and checked in, we explored town. Just had cafe con leche and churros. Next stop is the Knights Templar castle. 

The castle. Complete with a draw bridge. There were no architects back then. They planned as they built. This castle was taken from the Knights and over the centuries was added on to. One can tell the different eras of building by looking at the stone used and how it was used.