Our First Full Day

We got up early this morning, as the nice lady looking after our accommodation, told us breakfast was at 7.00 a.m. We went down at 7.00 only to find the dining room in darkness; we suspect she actually meant from 7.00 a.m.

She heard us from the kitchen though, and we were soon tucking into toast & cafe con leche. After learning that the local shop was closed, we asked her if she would sell us some cakes, and she agreed. We at least had something to sustain us, along with our uneaten crisps from yesterday, on the long lonely stretch of 15 miles before the next civilisation.


We set off at 8.00 a.m. following the metal scallop shells in the road, and we made fast progress as it wasn't as hot as yesterday. We were walking on a hard and rocky track across what seemed like a giant prairie, with only a few other pilgrims and trains for company. The road was an old Roman road, the Via Trajana, and sections which show the Roman construction techniques, are being preserved behind some rather nice fencing.


We reached, what for most people is the end of the stage - the town of Mansilla de los mulas - at 2.00 p.m. For once we found a church open, so had a look in and also obtained church stamps for our pilgrim passports. Gio asked for one for the credencial he carries and very nearly got his Society of St Francis t-shirt stamped. A quick witted minder had to intervene and the passport was duly stamped.

We felt it was too early to stop walking, so decided to do just over another 6 km to take us closer to Leon. But first we stopped for a cafe con leche and a coke to rest and rehydrate. A couple of very nice Norwegian pilgrims joined us at our table. The poor lady was having difficulty walking due to an inflamed tendon, and we felt very sorry for her. It could be worse though, as she always planned to finish at Leon, and she should make Leon tomorrow.

We reached our destination, a village suburb of Leon, shortly after 4.00 p.m., arriving with a nice young Austrian man called Michael.

We found ourselves a room in a hostal and made ourselves comfortable and insected the blisters one of our minders has got, after walking 18 miles on a hard surface.

The drawback of our accommodation that we have discovered, is that meals aren't served until 9.00 p.m. We don't think many pilgrims stop here, as pilgrim meals are always served at 7.00 p.m.

Still we will be able to wait, and it does give us a chance to write blogs and diaries first.

Lots of love, the Camino Bears xxx