Blogs from Castile & León, Spain, Europe - page 10

Good uneventful 250 mile journey today, until, when giving final instructions to the campsite, Margot(The Good Life) the SatNav, decided to take us down a narrow country road, off a roundabout!! Graham had to reverse the caravan out onto the roundabout, with me directing-I think the air was possibly blue inside the car! We're on a lovely, very quiet site, with the aroma of thyme wafting on the gentle breeze. The position of the site is down a road towards a river, with the little towns castle and fort perched on the hillside above. 29 degrees, so having our meal, then taking a walk up to the village as the air cools. A beautiful little overnight stop before Santiago tomorrow.... read more

Finally a day with less wind against! We made good progress, had coffee and croissants in the village of Fromista where there must be 20 chimney top storks nests. We set off across mainly flat plains passing through Carrion, Terradillos, Berrcianos, Mancilla then into Leon by 3pm; a total of 125km. We have remained within 50km of our target and still have a day in hand. It was cool and overcast for most of the day but it's 20C here in Leon, loolking forward tp exploring the city as our auberge is very central. Thoroughly enjoyed tapas in the squares, the three lions brewery pub and the food we bought at the supermarket. We are finding that because restaurants close between 4pm and 8pm... read more

We left Legrono at about 7.30 and followed the Camino through the city it wound its way through parks and gardens and then lots of vineyards either side of the trail. I was having some chain issues, seemed mainly lack of oil, then had a flat which involved changing an inner tube; probably valve. We carried on with the trail through the lovely ancient village of Navarrete then moved onto the road at Najera. On the road we made good time passing through Santa Dominica with its glorious cathedral. We lunched at redicilla del Camino just opposite a small but very ornate church. We then made tracks slowly because of what another cyclist described as the 'Devils wind' westerly against us along with the odd rain squall. Villafranca was a decision point; we phoned for accommodation ... read more

We arrived at 2.30pm and are settled into a very nice Alburgue . We have 6 beds in our room so that's less snoring, hopefully. I walked out of Foncebadón into the darkness at about 7.40, after a nice breakfast of coffee, mini croissant , and toast. I enjoyed the rocky ascent to the Cruz de Ferro and there was a steady stream of torch or headlights winding their way to the peak. It's the highest part of the Camino and appropriately so. When I arrived there was just a couple of Koreans, they're everywhere, so I placed my stones and continued on my way. It started to rain a little,( or was it moisture from the clouds we were passing through), so I waited until Manjarin, where I ponchoed up. It didn't last long and ... read more

Well, yesterday's post was full of news and gossip from Astorga but alas all was lost when I hit Save. No internet ! Today will be better but I will give a brief account of yesterday. Visits : Cathedral : Nice, large , grandiose . Palacio Episcopal, Gaudi : Amazing, perfect, best thing in Astorga . Museo de Chocolate : OK, as far as chocolate museums go, sampling was good. We had a nice meal with a Canadian lady, Kate.very interesting. Walked in a lot of sticky mud, very tiring on the legs. The rest is in the pics from yesterday . Onto today, the 14th of October. Other than the Alburgue cat that is bunk hopping (not on mine of course !), today was very nice walking. We managed a light breakfast before leaving Astorga, ... read more