Day 28 Foncebaddon to Molinaseca

12.5 miles. Some rain, a little wind, cool, but no thunderstorms. This was a reasonably short day except for the trail ..., since Astorga, yesterday, there has been 2000' of  elevation gain, and today, 2500' loss, with about 5 miles of it on a very steep path with many loose rocks, made more treacherous in the rain. The photo only shows the flat part of the path. I walked for much of the day with Terry from Britian, and met up again with Jim from Ireland. I will probably see Terry along the way, but Jim is headed back home tomorrow.

The first photo shows me at the little inn, ready for the rain while leaving at 7:30 am. However, at the Iron Cross, we dismantled rain gear only to put it back on an hour later and use it for the remainder of the walk. The Iron Cross is the literal high point of the journey, both in elevation, 5000', and significance. A pilgrim will carry a small stone from home, then leave it at the cross; this signifies letting go of a problem or concern. As you can see from the pile, there have been many thousands of pilgrims passing by and thoughts left here.

Tomorrow I will cross the valley through Ponferrada, and enter the next range of mountains. My journey continues to move along well,