Day 7 Ponferrada to Sarria

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We left Ponferrada a little late; breakfast too good and the bike workshop in the basement of our auberge too interesting; checked tyre pressures chain action, pumped up tyres etc. Made our way slowly to Villanfranco del Bierzo where there was a market we bought oranges, nuts,cheese and sausage for lunch. Began the ascent cautiously through the vineyards of Villafranca, knowing these were the biggest hills yet. Made it past Herrerias stopped for goodies and water bought at the market in Villafranca del Bierzo, then the real peaks;Cabriero at -1300m and finally alto Poio at 1330m. Amazing descent into triacastella, we saw the most amazingly luxurious auberge imaginable, mountain views, barbecue terrraces and a swimming pool. The town of tricasteela was like like something from middle earth, beautiful, picturesque with singing canaries. We cycled another 20km into Sarria to get us back to 117km to go if we want to push on to Santiago with a day to spare. Found an excellent auberge within a few minutes of the trail and enjoyed an excellent meal with the other pilgrims, Alex from NZ, and others from Germany, Holland and Italy; Bueno Camino

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Photos

Early morning leaving Sarria
Heading towards Porto marin

Templar castle at Ponferrada
It looked great but we were too exhausted to explore