Through the mountain pass - day 14

The morning at the top of the mountains was foggy and misty. Very other worldly- I imagined dragons flying up out of the mist. Cod hear the bells of cows or goats grazing somewhere nearby. For more than 5 km was like walking Ina dream. 

Passed the Cruz de Ferro a famous cross where pilgrims have been leaving rocks from home for millennia.

Here are some close ups of the items left by the cross.

The sky cleared a little as we came across the pass and could see down into the valley of Ponferrada on the other side.

Then came the long steep descent. We dropped down 1000m vertical from 1500m to around 500m. It was hard on my knees. 

We came through several bio zones from alpine tundra into late spring valleys full of flowers and brooks. My phone was low on battery so no pics of the lovely towns and valleys. 

Feeling a bit homesick and tired- so I have a hotel room tonight and am enjoying the privacy of my own shower and bed with sheets and plug to charge my phone.