Day Twenty-seven - Villafranca Del Bierzo to Ambas Mestas - 17.5km

There are three routes out of Villafranca. 
The Dragonte route which is the longest route and takes forever but goes through beautiful countryside and isolated villages, the original track which goes up and over a mountain and the road route which is the quickest. 
We went up and over the mountain.

The route started off crazily steep but we were able to stop regularly and look back over the town and see it getting smaller. We could also see the road route winding away below us - a long way below us. 

We walked above the tree line for a while before passing through sweet chestnut forests. These looked very well maintained but I can't imagine how they are harvested as the trees were growing on the very steep hill.

Once at Alto Pradela it was time to go down! We started walking down the road that went to Pradela village because the track down was so steep but the road wound so much and the asphalt was so hot to walk on so we braved the downhill track instead. I think that although we went slowly it was quicker than the road!

Tomorrow we have to climb even higher to get to the top of the next mountain/hill! This will be the last major climb of our trip.

Our feet seem to be doing ok, we've suffered from a few potential blisters and hot spots but nothing too bad. Everyday we see people hobbling along or sitting tending their feet so we have been very lucky. Our main concern is our shoes.

I guess they don't make shoes to last an 800km walk and both of us are noticing parts of our shoes wearing thin. Now isn't the time to buy new shoes even if we found a shop selling them so hopefully they will make it through another 9 days!

The steep climb up out of Villafranca.

As we climb we can see Villafranca getting further away!

It was beautiful and quiet and soon all we could see was more steep hills!

And still we go up!

Finally we reach the top and to celebrate some people have built little cairns.

We left the route to get a drink in the bar at the village of Pradela.
It is completely isolated but the houses were all well looked after.
We had to walk through a farmyard complete with manure pile to reach the bar!

The village was surrounded by well tended allotments
where the locals were growing fruit and vegetables.

The final part of the day was along a road. We sat in some shade for
a drink and watched these two men fixing the lights on top of this hotel.
They weren't tied on - it was terrifying!

The mountain tops were so peaceful this morning,
the roads are noisy and busy this afternoon.

We spotted this statue.
190km to Santiago - we're so near!!!!

An finally the tiny village we are staying in tonight.
Yes that is a motorway bridge going right over it!