Oct 7, 2010 - Leon - Day two

A good sleep and to the Hotel Café for desayaudo (coffee, juice, and bread) – the bread is thick and fried – very tasty. It’s a lovely day for a long walk. We first go to The Corte Ingles, as Linda wants to see the largest department store in Leon. It is, indeed huge, and while much the same as department stores in North America, the styles and design sense are very different – that is, to our eyes, everything is a bit off. And, interestingly, furs are quite acceptable – obviously no PETA organization here. The store has stuff from all over...

Oct 6, 2010 - Leon

A cup of coffee and we are on our way. We have not been exercising and consequently Mark’s tummy is getting a tad rounder. The good news is that there is more to cuddle. The road from Burgos to Leon is quite pleasant and Linda feels it’s a lot like California as it’s quite deserty. We pass a construction of a major road with bridges in the middle of nowhere. It goes on for miles and miles – a very big project. We feel that Santiago (the third most visited Christian site in the world) may be a tad crowded so we Left Burgos earlier than...

Sep 29, 2010 - Leon

An early start found us at the Altimira Caves Museum, where a very realistic recreation exists. We were all duly impressed. Our journey today takes us through through the Picos de Europa, a spectacular mountain range. We divert to go to Fuente De where a cable car to a significant height gives us remarkable views. We see Grackles again,just like at the Eiger. Moving on, we find our way to this remarkable Parador in Leon, with thanks to Helen for remembering that the Garmin GPS tells about nearby accommodation, just when we needed to find...

May 24, 2007 - Leon, Day 14, 400km done, 300 to go

I have had only one bad day so far. On day 13 I woke with a headache that didn't go all day. If I looked down I felt like vomiting and if I looked up I had horrible lights flashing - a migrane maybe. It was drizzling when I left and i soon got too hot in my rain jacket and was feeling awful. I was out on my own too. Finally after a very long 12km I came to a small village where I ate and drank and tried to get some Panadol with no luck. But I did manage to buy a a big yellow cape that goes over me, pack and all and it is comfortable for...

Oct 7, 2006 - Leon

Arrived in Leon this morning (by bus! Suggestion in the guide book that this may be a good idea to avoid 18 miles of walking by the side of a very busy main road into Leon. Some of the purists walking think this is 'not pilgrim like' but my feeling is that this is everyone's individual journey). It is a very splendid city. It was one time a Roman military garrison, and still has substantial lengths of the old city walls standing - plus another magnificent cathedral. As I walked into the cathedral today a choir started to sing Nearer my God...

Sep 24, 2006 - Sun - Day 6 on the Camino

Sunday is the first day that we walked in the rain. We chose the shorter option of 10K to go easy on the ankle. It is better to save it for the long days in the coming week. The Gothic stone column in Boadilla del Camino was were serious criminals were tried and executed. The rain clears by lunch and we dry out and warm up at Albergue "En El Camino". This albergue has a swimming pool and is nicely landscaped. Young Eduardo Merino, our host, charms all the women with his Argentine good looks. After lunch we visited the Iglesia de San...

Sep 4, 2006 - Lounging around in Leon

Took the night train from Barcelona to Leon last night, a pleasant 11 hour journey in a fancy sleeper! Actually, it wasn't that fancy as there were 6 of us in the cabin (same configuration as Indian trains - except in India there are 8 berths crammed in instead of 6), but it was certainly more comfy than sitting in a chair all night long. Leon is in the far north of Spain deep in Catalunya country, and is so old it only just makes it into the AD's (as opposed to the BC's to put some context onto the statement). The Romans lobbed here around...

Jun 13, 2006 - Leon

It was a good decision to rest my foot especially as l saw how stralght flat and close to the road the trail was. Leon on the other hand has been beautiful. the pictures wont be able to do it justice. i liked the cathedral much more than Burgos. Great to wander through a metropolis after many tiny villages. Interesting visit to pharmacy. You have to ask for everything in Spanish. Upped the drugs to lndocid and Voltaren cream Plus an ankle suport..Something is working but the pack is getting heavier. No running for 2 days. Also going to add...

May 29, 2006 - Shahagún to León (Day 15 Starting to get out of the mesetas, sort of...)

Spent a lovely night in the solid bunk beds of the albergue in Shahagún. Actually got to ¨sleep¨ in til 7am. What a treat! Found our way to the local bus stop. No sign to indicate anything but there was another peregrino waiting for the bus so we hung out together for 0.5 hour. Aunt B was glad to finally see a school. The kids arrived in swanky school buses. No Blue Bird buses for these kids. Mini-buses were the order of the day. Got some nice pics of an old monestary (don't have my guide with me so can't remember the name of it, there are...

May 30, 2005 - Leon another of Spain's ancient capitals

The drive through the mountains to Leon was very picturesque. We passed many small towns with castles standing alone on hill tops, and an abundance of hermitages, churches convents. No wonder the people of Madrid keep country houses in the mountains, in some cases it is only 50-100km away from the city and there are mountain walks at lower levels, then rock climbing and ski fields and chalets in the heights. The same can be said for the people of Leon on the northern side of the mountains. It seems to be a prosperous city, as we joined the...

Apr 10, 2005 - Burgos to Leon

Day 9 Burgos to Carrion del los Condes Distance: 97km Ride Time: 5 hrs Total Ride today: 7 hrs Avg Speed: 20 kph Elevation: 2.5/10 Marks Crapometer: 4/10 Andrews Crapometer: 3.5/10 Weather: Sunny but bloody cold wind coming off the mountains. A bit jaded from yesterday's ride. Had a sleep in until 12. No snow today yay, still quite windy and cold though. Mostly flat ride today with a gentle incline up to another level of the plateau. This one much bigger than the last. Flat as a pancake as far as the eye can see. Camped out and went to the...