We are staying in the city of Leon for the next 2 nights as we enjoy a rest day. And just in time, since I developed my first blister (on my heel) today. Now Diane has some company in her misery! Oh well, Diane took practically a whole medical kit along to deal with such situations.
We began our walk this morning at 6:15, while it was still dark, since we did not find the innkeepers of last night very friendly (though there was room for us - don't get any ideas, Sandra!), and we were eager to get to Leon and begin a long rest period. I have pictures to prove how dark it was when we left, but since you can't see what's on them (duh), there was no point in posting them.
We reached the village of Villarente after an hour or so and you can see we were still in a twilight zone, as we crossed under the bridge...
We stopped here for breakfast: cafe con leche grande, of course, and a croissant. As we left the town and got back on the pilgrim track just off the highway, we spotted this confused snail and wondered if it knew that it was going in circles. It was obvious to us anyway...
The path we walked on looked mostly like this pic below, which also happens to show the only real hill we had to climb today...
As we had busy highways to cross, we were happy to find that things had improved in the past few years. Several of the books we read about the Camino complained about the dangers of having to cross the busy Leon highways, but with 2 overpasses such as the one below, it was a breeze...
And here's the view of the city in the distance from that same pedestrian overpass...
Rather than take the way marked Camino route into the city, we opted for a slightly shorter route so,we could get to our hotel a little sooner. We have all day tomorrow to explore the significant sites of Leon, after all. We followed a path that took us along the Rio Bernesga, and was pleasantly shaded...
We crossed this pretty little river...
...and passed by Leon's version of Roger's Place on the Plaza de Toros (the bullfighting ring!)...
Finally we arrived at the famous former San Marcos monastery and pilgrim hostel, now known as the hotel Parador Leon and featured in the movie "The Way." An amazing place, and we'll send some more photos tomorrow...
Of course, staying here meant that we would have to be more humble in choosing the places where we eat! The Egg McMuffin (bacon y nueva) was delicious - our second breakfast!
We are now nicely settled in and Diane is busy doing her laundry. My turn next, and as you can see, we create our own clothesline...the hiking poles have multiple purposes.
OK, time for me to my own laundry....
Distance today: 18.6 kms
Time on the road: 4:25
Total distance to date: 475.6 kms
Walking days remaining: 15
Hello dear Pilgrims! Having breakfast here in our sunny kitchen, reading of your adventures of the past 2 days. Happy that you're well, and that you can enjoy a rest along The Way :) Enjoy Leon, and the beautiful Parador - no doubt a nice change?! Love to you both! Janette
ReplyDeleteAn amazing, awesome change!
DeleteLove your pics and seeing how yoyr day went!
ReplyDeletevery creative use of your walking poles.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have earned a break today.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest, trust the blisters will be gone by the time you start the walk again.
Love the comments and pictures (except the GIANT bug of course)
God bless!!
Oh, I can see it now...Christmas Coffeehouse, blistered Joseph played by you, with walking stick dependent weary wife seeking refuge only to find an unfriendly innkeeper(most likely envious of the visitors ability to grow a beard), with no hospitable wife or outback stable... A modern day tale? Perhaps you can role play the various twists and turns this could take during your long journeys! :).
ReplyDeleteHope the blister heals soon! Miss you guys!