Day 24 May 25

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Day 24 May 25

Left Villar de Mazarife at 7:30 am / a jacket start but by mid morning I shed it to walk with a Tee and shorts as I have for the past 22 days

We had a 31 km walk today putting two of my 2017 days into one

We arrived at Hospital de Orbigo by 10:30am bringing back memories of the medieval bridge and the history of the shunned knight by his girlfriend. To restore his honour he challenged all to pass him on the bridge. After he successfully fended off the bridge  for a month by 300 knights / breaking in two their spears he went on to Santiago to offer thanks for his freedom from the bonds of love and for his honour now restored - neat history.

We then moved on to our final destination Astorga - great Roman city full of history

Also the home of the great historic chocolatier’s- used some restraint and had a homemade sherbet instead

We are checked in at the Gaudi Hotel- Gaudi was the great architect responsible for many of the great Cathedrals. And the hotel named after him is no Albergue I can attest to. He designed the Bishops Palace across from the hotel fir the RC church.

We toured the Cathedral which is diagonally across the street from our hotel 

Another sunny day- our luck is holding out


Pic 1- a boot tree - who would have guessed

Pic 2 - pilgrim wished us well as we were well on our way this morning

Pic 3- me on the medieval bridge where the knight fended his honour

Pic 4 - km marker - nice to see the number coming down 

Pic 7 -some of the Camino trail we walked today- not very hilly

Pic 6 - pilgrim statue as we near Astorga taking a drink of water

Pic 8 -  bells on top of a tower in the main plaza. The two figures actually bong the bells with their Hammers on the hour

Pic 9 - the whole front of the bell tower

Pic 10 - St James taken by Deborah in the Cathedral

Great day - long day walking - shorter day tomorrow at 20 km into Rabanal del Camino

Then on Friday we have another 31 km walk inton Ponferrada where we have our second of two rest days prior to the last 204 kms into Santiago 

Till tomorrow

Buen Camino

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