Rabanal to Ponferrada day 25

A long and challenging walk over the Montes de Leon taking almost 10 ten hours including several stops. The ascent was fine, I found the endless steep and rocky descent in soaring heat interesting. We passed through impossibly beautiful mountain villages, including Reigo de Ambros which is the blip.
The extra is Puerto Irago Cruz de Ferro at 1,500m, one of the most famous symbols of the Camino where people leave a stone, or other token, to add to the pile that witnesses a collective journey. A moving place for many people.
Sunday in Ponferrada means everything is closed. I’m too tired to walk back into town where there would be places open and I am having a make do supper, mainly chocolate. I ate quite sensibly earlier with M, C and W who are all staying in Molinesca several km before Ponferrada. At least I will have a much shorter walking tomorrow, my hostel is close to the Camino and on the far side of town meaning I haven’t really explored it’s offerings. There seems to be a very close connection with the Knights Templar and did walk past quite an impressive Templar Castle, giving it a half glance.