Blogs from Astorga, Castile & León, Spain, Europe

Advertisement

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga May 26th 2022

As usual we packed up and out the door of the albergue at 6am. We knew from the night before that Bar La Torre was open at 6am, so we stopped for breakfast. A couple hours later we passed through Villavante. An hour or so later we spotted Hospital de Orbigo for the big water tower and another half an hour we reached the famous bridge. The bridge and town were made famous by the knight Don Suero who after having his affections for Lady Leonor refuted, said he would confront any knight attempting to cross the bridge.... or something like that. We stopped on the other side of the bridge at the Hotel/Bar El Paso Honroso for breakfast and a nice view of the bridge while we ate. About 30 minutes later we passed through ... read more
The unusual ... napkin holder
Breakfast at Bar La Torre
Manoli posing with a pilgrim statue in Villavante

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga May 25th 2022

We packed up, left our backpacks downstairs and headed out the door by dawn. Unfortunately, we forgot to turn in the key. When we got to the cathedral, we were given a fantastic view of the church at sunrise. On our way out of Leon, we passed by the Museo Leon, and the fancy inn or parador attached to it. In front of them, in the Plaza San Marcos, was a nice statue of a pilgrim. Apparently we passed through Trobajo del Camino without even realizing it, although I got to point out to my wife the wine cellars I'd seen the last trip. We reached Virgen del Camino in about 2 hours. Here was is the split that we had to make sure to take to get to Villar de Mazarife. There was also a ... read more
The Museo de Leon and the Parador de Leon
Statue of a pilgrim in the Plaza San Marcos
Some wine cellars in Trobajo del Camino

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga October 12th 2018

I don’t know what day it is. I know it’s the 12th, but what day? No idea. I’ve lost track and no one I’m with can remember. The days just roll into each other and it’s hard to look back and pinpoint an occasion on a day. It seems to be a Camino thing and does discriminate with age or sex. It’s a public holiday in Astorga and the main square is crowded, noisy, and many people are dressed in period costumes; men carrying swords, women in colourful, puffy dresses, with bonnets on their heads. I’m having lunch with Anton and Jesper, two 19year old Swedes who have finished school and are having a break, before confronting reality and working out what comes next. The Camino is giving them plenty of reality. They are lively, sensible, ... read more
Dawn Over Hospital de Órbigo
Sunrise Over Hospital de Órbigo
Knights Templar Town Of Hospital de Órbigo

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga October 14th 2016

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

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga October 13th 2016

No words. Typed it and lost the lot! Cheers... read more
Bit of Colour On A Dull Day
Medieval Bridge At Hospital De Órbigo
Corn Again.

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga October 12th 2016

Astorga is actually tomorrow but again there are no other options. This morning we woke to rain and it was steady all day. I had already booked bus tickets to La Virgen Del Camino, and as we passed through the suburban and industrial wastelands on the edge of León I felt not the slightest guilt seeing poncho clad pilgrims trudging along in the rain. Been there, done that. I remembered the steep walk bridge over the railway and some of the road out of town; that's why I bought the tickets. We started walking just near the church of the Virgen of the Camino where Mary apparently appeared in the 1500's, and quickly veered away from the road to take the path to Villar de Mazarife. The tracks had been covered in gravel and were very ... read more
The Day That Was...
Rain As Far As The Eye Can See.
The Bell Tower, Villar de Marzarife

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga September 29th 2015

29 September 2015, Tuesday, Stage 25, Astorga to Rabanal del Camino GPS: 13.14 miles, 4 hours 35 minutes moving, 5 hours 45 minutes from hotel to albergue Nuestra Senora del Pilar. Fitbit: 14.13 miles, 32,337 steps, 101 stairs. Left in the dark at 0701 from Pousada Real Casa de Tepa and the night clerk had to let us out for breakfast downtown and back in. We arrived 1245 at Albergue in Rabanal del Camino. I have awakened about 4:00 and finally get up an hour later. We go down near San Francisco Square for coffee con leche, orange juice and a croissant. We again miss the two little characters, dressed in Maragato costume, that parade around in a little circle on the clock at the top of city hall! We swing by, on the camino, the ... read more
The Cathedral with little morning light
At 0802 sunrise sky looking back towards Astoraga
The tree lined route today

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga September 28th 2015

28 September 2015, Monday, Stage 24 Mazarife to Astorga GPS: 20.67 miles, 6 hours 43 minutes moving and 8 hours total from Albergue Padua to Pousada Real Casa de Tepa Fitbit: 20.67 miles, 44,213 steps, 77 Stairs Leave Villar de Mazarife albergue at 7.36, arrive in Astorga at 3:36 It is still very dark. In the middle of the town, Harlan is looking at the night sky with Google Sky as there is a very bright object in the sky. I happen to fall in step with a young girl from Chattanooga; her husband walks with Harlan. They got up around 4:30 am to see the eclipse and said it was outstanding as it was so dark outside and the constellations and Milky Way were incredibly bright. Now the crazy thing is that we knew members ... read more
Old stone bridge
Rio Orbigo in Hospital de Orbigo
Picking Postatoes

Europe » Spain » Castile & León » Astorga September 27th 2015

September 25/26, 2015 Travelling out of Leon was forever on sidewalk and pavement through industrial. Once beyond the never ending city , the path was beside the highway, non descript. We went to a small town San Martin and stayed in a small pension. The following day we went on to Astorga. We crossed a Medieval bridge, Puente de Orbigo, the longest and best preserved. It has a very well known history. We. Took an optional route which took through farm land and a family was harvesting potatoes. The farmer in conversation said hard work but little pay. The whole fily seemed to be out there. Astorga is another well preserved walled city. When we arrived they were practicing for a future re enactment of some battle. I think it had to do with the struggle ... read more
image
image
image




Tot: 0.136s; Tpl: 0.007s; cc: 6; qc: 88; dbt: 0.08s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb