Rabanal, Riego de Ambros and Ponferrada

How the days are going! Today is day 25 - can you believe it? No 2 days are the same but it is difficult to separate each day. New adventures, interesting people and of course the treasures along the way. Tues. left Astorga early, some of the group waited until the P.O. opened so they could mail things on to Santiago. My complaint on Monday was that churches are not open - but Tuesday we had hardly left Astorga when we came across a small Ermita which was open. Plan was to go a little further but when we arrived in Rabanal we discovered that there would be sung Gregorian Chant at 7pm so we decided to stay the night in a very nice hostel run by English volunteers - tea and biscuitsin the garden at 5pm. Coffee stop was amazing too - a lovely lady treted us royally and we bought a veggie snadwich. It was displayed like a cake and she cut us a slice to take with us. Delicious! The servicesint he evening were beautiful - Vespers at 7pm and Compline at 9:30pm. 2 german Benedictine monks and a novice chanted most of the service. It certainly was heavenly music. Yesterday we walked through amazing countryside - God´s garden of purple and white heather, yellow broom and numerous other flowers spread across the hills and valleys. It was the day that we came to the Cruz de Ferro - the iron cross where pilgrims bring rocks from all over the world and leave them at the foot of the cross. On arrival it looked like Grand Central station, people were lined up and it was incredibily busy. It was not what I expected and initially I was very disappointed. However it didn´t take long for a group of bikers to leave and peace came on the place. We all laid ou stones: I had brought 4, one from Maggie´s garden in Macclesfield - for those who have gone before me, one given to me by Diane after our trip to Sorrento last year, speakking of those in my life right now and the gifts that you all bring and 2 little ones found by Declan and Ellia representing the hopes and dreams of the future. It was quite an emotional moment, but that is the Camino. As we continued on we passed a little standon the side of the trail where someone had laid out bananas and juice, with a box for donations. It is such a treat to find such places. Then a lady selling fresh cherries - yum! MOst of the day was an up hill climb followed by a long down hill. We were grateful for lunch in Acebo and a hostel in Riego de Ambros. Today we have walked into Ponferrada. Our plan was to go further but we all wanted to see old the Templar castle and it is hot so we have found a small hotel and once again are enjoying the luxuries of real sheets and towels! So my friends we are almost 3/4 the way along, comin gup to the 600km mark tomorrow. Probably 9-10 more walking days. It´s still incredibly amazing in every respect, my feet and body continue to hold up - thank you God!