May 5th Granon to Villafranca

Another early start, Pointless hanging around, People are getting dressed in the dark and making a noise and flashing torches around, I quickly get up ,get dressed and head out, Cannot face the crappy breakfasts, Its cold again and i walk in semi darkness awaiting the sunrise, It looks like its going be a hot one so better get some miles under my belt, I stop at the first open bar/cafe and there are huge coissants, I have one with a cafe con leche and then i hear a voice 'hi i'm Randy' being a quick thinking Brit there is an answer the question, I look up at an American woman and control the reply 'Hi im Dave' i replied, Seems that Randy who lives in Arizona stayed at the same place last night, Her husband died a few years ago and she is walking alone as are alot of men and women, It seems that everybody is carrying some kind of baggage and the Camino is a good place to get your head and life straight, Normally i walk with somebody then walk on my own, meet with somebosy else etc etc, Today i start with Randy and we talk all along the way, She is not sure how far she will walk but i have Villafranca in mind, Another 30KM walk, I dont know why but Villafranca rings a bell and soon i would know why, The day is nice as is the walk through beautiful Spanish countryside, Rolling hills and fields full of crops as far as the eye can see,We make good time and soon enter Villafranca, We go to the posh hotel on the hill behind the church, It seems that the owner has walked the Camino and has built an Aubergue behind it as a part of giving back, The place is a stunner, 5 star all the way, If you walk the Camino THIS PLACE IS A MUST STAY, I pay 10 euros for a single bed with small dividing wall, Luxury after the crappy bunkbeds i have slept in, 5 euros gets you a bunk but the place is so clean, A lovely beer garden and the grass is like a golf course, The Aubergue is right on the camino and will make an easy start in the morning which looks somewhat hilly


No better time to walk, Cool morning with the sun rising

Now out of La Rioja and in Castilla Y Lean region (Randy looking at Camera)

 Croissants come large here and are delish

Storks nests on every Church

 Foot and Hand prints all along the streets

 Rolling hills and small quaint villages along the way

 Friendly Peahen in the beautiful Aubergue in Villafranca

Overlooking the Beer garden

 People suffering some horrible blisters

Dave