León

Mansilla Mayor – León 17km

Today was all about getting the job done and getting to the wonderful city of León.

I had dinner and drinks with Roger and Sue from Alberta and had some good conversation. Sue’s knee seems to be completely banjaxed so they are getting a taxi to León to hopefully see a physio.

After a lovely send off from the albergue hospitalero – (I called her Mama as she couldnt do enough for me, carrying toast and coffee and a big lump of madeira cake to me as I sat for breakfast), with big hugs and blessings, I set on my way out of the village to join the camino again.

I soon met up with Pete and Megan from New Zealand who I met yesterday and we walked a few miles together to the next town. I stopped for a drink whilst they walked on. Its becoming a recurring fight with myself to avoid a pint of beer at about 10am every morning as I walk through new towns. The locals, when they get their lazy butts outa bed, seem to just sit outside and drink all sorts. In the cafe’s there is always a couple of beer pumps condensing in the heat, and always one dam biker who is sat on his fat lycra covered ass drinking a beer at an outside table. Yeah you need it fat chops! How about switching off that wee electric motor and actually cycling for once!! (Rant over)

There wasn’t much to see until I got to León and boy did it impress. A very busy city, immaculately clean and spilling over with historic buildings.

I checked into the hotel, got a lovely shower and headed out to do a bulk of washing after having to wear a stinky shirt today. I looked like some dirty oul scouser, sorry, scrounger walking into this la-de-da hotel.

I popped up the street in the hunt for the Cathedral. This place was buzzing. Stag and hen parties, locals sitting having the craic at tables with fancy umbrellas. I came to a big square where the locals gather for some entertainment every weekend. This seems to be a great trend in Spain where all the locals love getting together and cooking food, playing music and watching the children play. We could learn a thing from these guys. No fighting, arguing, selfishness or command, just togetherness and fun.

I eventually caught site of the cathedral spire and followed the streets towards it. Wow! What a building. I’m definitely doing the tour tomorrow.

I sat outside a bar and had a spittle of vino tinto just marvelling at the architecture of such a building that was first built in the 13th century. I always love gothic styled buildings, and this one was dreamworthy. The Cathedral is open tomorrow morning so I’m definitely going to have a look inside it.

Also on my list for tomorrow is the León Museum which has a history of the camino pilgrimage which should be interesting. Also a very nice building.

Didn’t do much tonight as after a very hot day hitting 29*C, its now raining. I’ll just lounge in my room with a bottle of £4.95 red wine that costs me £9 back home 😳🍷

Have to check in at another hotel tomorrow with a spa in it. Might see if I can get a leg and back massage. On Monday its back to the nitty gritty clocking off the final 300km of this adventure. 💪🏻😎