On the down side

The word for the day, humble. I taxied down the rest of the descent
into Ponferrada. Yesterday we did 19km in 7.5 hours. Denise was
cheerful through it all although I felt bad for holding her back.

We ate a relaxing lunch in a beautiful mountain town, El Acebo, about
6.5 hours into the day then walked another hour to Reigo de Ambros
where we stayed for the night. The hostal there was sparce but ok and
the town bar had what we needed. I have had some great regional
wines :) Denise is not a wine lover but has discovered the joy of
home-made sangria. She finally learned yesterday how to request the
necessary beverages to create it. Between the bar keeper in Rabinal
who was learning English and the lady from Barcelona, Denise assembled
her phrase for 1 glass of wine and 1 glass of orange juice and 1 glass
of ice. I hate to see her ruin a perfectly good glass of wine but it
is delicious to her and she can throw it back quick! That said, she
only orders 1 and really doesn't get a buzz. Too bad :)

So here I wait in a bar with wi-fi drinking a nice vino tinto waiting
for mi amiga y perigrina, Denise. Across from here is the Knights
Templar castle. We will meet at 1 there at the draw bridge.

I have used more Spanish on this trip then I expected and I am
surprised that I am doing so well. I'm not too good but whatever,
between the 2 of us we are making it work. Denise speaks French and
speaks with the French pilgrims when she can. It is getting easier for
her as she remembers. She spent about 9 months in France doing an
emersion program many years ago.

Here is my plug for Pimsleur audio learning, all you need is the first
20 lessons and a good phrase book and you can do it! Robert, my son,
has encouraged me to plod on with the lessons and it has been a great
help!

Well, I am going to walk around and see a bit of town before meeting
Denise. I have had internet difficulties but perhaps we can be
connected better as we are are out of the mountains. Buen Camino my
friends!

Sent from the Camino, somewhere in Spain :)