This morning as I woke, my body felt like that donkey had kicked the shit out of me. A burning hot shower, followed by an icy cold shower, helped to invigorate me. Dressed, packed, I met with Inge at eight. As we walked towards Ponferada,we met an Almanian lady who lives in Italy. I also saw the donkey, and he had a silly grin on his face,suggesting he might have kicked me after all. As we chatted and walked slowly, it was the best start for me, on a reasonable track that was level. We reached Ponferada and Amanda,our new pilgrim friend stopped at a different cafe to Inge and I. A hot Spanish chocolate with bacon and scrambled egg on bread filled the gap  nicely. We then walked to the cathederal square and hugged for our good bye, as Inge was catching a bus to take her to the airport, as I continue on my camino. I hadn’t walked far when I caught up with Helen and Ian from Tasmania,who I met last night sitting at the next table. We walked together, trying to negotiate our way out of this city. I then chose to walk alone. Today was a mixed bag. Some city walking, some country roads, which were from a bygone era connecting small villages, heard many birds, including cuckoos, and seeing storks. The last few kilometres were reasonably flat and through vineyards. The albergue I ended up at this evening turns out to be the same as Helen and Mark. It’s a lovely place. I’m in a dorm room with four beds, and we have a nice bathroom to share. The weather today, didn’t warm up at all, but I am at six hundred metres, climbing to thirteen hundred tomorrow. Just praying the rain stays away. My Gayley, God bless her, is telling me to take more care of myself. Unfortunately I can’t control the camino,but I do have faith the camino will take care of me.