The older refuge at “Villafranca Del Bierzo”

Route segment: 18

Sunday 22nd October 2000

I wait for some time in Cacabelos and decide that maybe I have missed Thierry and book into the refuge here. It is a strange
one built on the church grounds and it is divided up into a long set of double rooms. I decide to sit out in the sun and put on
my sun cream, as it is a really hot day today. I sit for an hour or so reading and nobody else turns up.

It’s late in the afternoon now and a bit strange that nobody is staying here. I decide to have another go at looking for him. Again I wait a long time and decide that I will walk instead to “Villafranca Del Bierzo” myself. Soon after the village of “Pieros” I stop and rest for a while and who should turn up later but “Thierry” and another friend he has made while I was away. Our greeting is warm and I feel much better.

We walk together for the rest of the day and catch up on our news. It turns out that Margaux and Ophelia are only a day or two behind. Ferdinand has gone home to start college and that there was a major love affair going on between him and the German girl while I was away. I am glad to hear all of it.

The river at “Villafranca Del Bierzo”