Had a great buffet breakfast that was as good as it gets. My infected little toe was feeling better and the weather was perfect!

Started again with the river on my left and it stayed all the way to Las Herrerías. It was so peaceful all day.

Lots of water, flowers and structural pictures today. They speak for themselves

As I was walking I came across a chapel and there were theses young people asking to come in. There were so nice. They asked me to list the people or things to pray for and put the paper in a basket. They gave me a candle to light so I did and set it on a table. I asked what can I pay and they said nothing. They also asked to pick out a rosary or medal and when I did I asked if they take donations and the said no it is free. I don’t know why but I thought about the people I was praying for and I was overcome with emotion. I couldn’t talk and the tears would not stop. Maybe it was my Camino moment. I’m just going with it

Beautiful day for walking. Started out at about 50 degrees and was cloudy. Not a lot of scenery as half the walk was on the road

The start of the walk was beautiful with the waterfall dam on the river. You see so many rivers and streams.

They have these unique buildings all over. I go to see what it is but it is all in Spanish. It was

This was a statue of Mary and Jesus but very different. More modernistic for how old it is.

Less than 200 km to go! I hope the sign is right. About 120 miles to. Piece of cake!

Had lunch with friends today. Great to talk with everyone to see how the are doing . The guy with the white shirt is 76 and he is on his 5th Camino. Amazing

Came into town and walked down this road with rock walls. You see this so often.

Had dinner with Michael and Cathy. What a treat. We had a good hamburger, great wine and the best company.

Completed the highest part of the hike today.

This is the sun rising as I started the day. Beautiful blue sky and the weather was perfect.

This was a hill of rocks with a pole and a cross at the top. People were going one at a time to touch it and say a short prayer. There were all kinds of ribbons and pictures on the pole.

This chapel was about 150 feet from the pole.

Many crosses along the way

This memorial plaque was at the base of a small cross. Very moving

Lots of cool structures everywhere. I could fill a book with just pictures like these.

The walk down from the top was very hard on my feet. It was rocky and steep. Had to use my poles all the way down. Knee caps were sore at the end of the day.

Walked into the town just before the where I would stay. Beautiful stream!

Started out with cloudy sky’s at 50 degrees. So it wasn’t too cold. It was in between. If you wore your raincoat it was too hot but a wind breaker too cold.

Long road and dark clouds. A lot more people on the Camino since Leon. Seems like double. And was told in Sarria there will be a lot more.

Saw different wall structures that were interesting

And the watering fountains were very cool. Some of the most amazing to date.

It was a long day with intermittent rain. The climb was the second highest on the trip. About 2000 ft. So it was about 30 km. Was glad to see my hotel. Tomorrow will start with a climb but the will go downhill after about two hours. Getting to bed early

Forgot the flowers I took pictures of.

Stayed at the hostel and it wasn’t to bad but it will be my last. Just like my hotel better.

Left town at about 7:45 am. Just got out of town and saw this water tower. It’s just so cool how they make them

Another nice stream next to the path

Very old structure that had three stork nests. Storks are everywhere.

Very cool rock bridge over the stream. You don’t see stuff like this in US very often

Another statue getting water for the Camino. There fountains all over the place

The winding Road and another cross to remind you why you’re doing this

Saw some interesting structures that you don’t see everyday

They were excavating the old Romanesque buildings while walking into Astorga

Got into town at about 3:30pm and checked into hotel. Got cleaned up and went to the Cathedral area to meet Michael and Cathy to watch the Palm Sunday Procession. Pretty cool. Had dinner with them and Tiffany. Also saw the couple from Denmark

Left Leon at about 8:00 and came across the bronze figure with his sandals off and contemplating what he has gone through.

Walking through the city took a while but it is so beautiful. This stream as I left the city. Walked mostly along the highway so not much to see.

Halfway to San Martin I came across this sign with only 298 km to go. It means I’ve walked over 500 km. Crazy!

Got to the hostel at about 2:30 and had beer with my friends. Young from Korea, Jackie from South Africa, Patrick from England, Tetsu from Japan, and Gito from Germany. Nice people.

Had a good night sleep and was beside myself as I didn’t have to walk. I was sightseeing today.

I took the tour through the Catedral of Leon. It is so amazing because of all the stained glass. It was started in the 1100s. It so well kept it looks like it is new on the inside. The bottom picture is the organ and choir area.

Amazing!

There is this sign of Leon on the Catedral square.

As I was walking I came to a church that was just starting mass so I went in and attended. There seemed to be a large group of people up front. As the priest was giving his sermon, which was in Spanish, some of the people were tearing up. I thought these people really get into it at Easter. At the end of mass two guys walk up to the front and I thought they were bringing the crucifix up for people to kiss but instead they grabbed a casket that I couldn’t see. I was at a funeral! You can’t make that up.

Spent the rest of the day sightseeing and having a great afternoon.

They had a procession last night that packed the square. They so celebrate Easter. Great way to end the day

Only 19 km today but it was another 4 just to get to my hotel. Beautiful walk through the old city

I walked the whole day in the SUNSHINE. It was so good to feel the heat. What a difference

Came across these rusted steel figures. There was a sign telling you what it was but it was in Spanish. It had something to do with the Camino

Crosses over this stream with a very old bridge in the back round. Very nice.

Walked by a herd of cows and this one didn’t seem to happy with me so close.

Interesting fountain as I came into the old town area

This is a section of the old castle wall that is over thousand years old.

As I passed the old wall I ran into Graham from South Africa. He was sightseeing and what a surprise! He walked me to my hotel. Nice guy.

This is the Catedral ( that’s how they spell it) within 100 yards of my hotel. Am staying in Leon two days.

This was my room with kitchen and separate bedroom. Very nice. They had coffee and tea.

Got out at 8:30 and the weather was rainy but not that cold. I was walking on the old trail that I guess no one walks because it’s a little bit longer. The first day I never met anyone the whole day. I thought I was in the Twilight Zone

Nobody anywhere!

This is an actual section of the old Roman road. “The most perfect extent stretch of Roman road left in Spain”. It didn’t look that special, but what do I know. I just walked it.

One more picturesque tree.

And that’s all folks

Started the day at 7:30 am with a drizzling rain but warmer. What a delight. At about 9:30 the sun peeked through and the day got better

It wasn’t long before most of the sky was blue. Felt so good! Mostly flat area. Not much scenery other than the green fields.

I spotted this lone tree and thought it was so cool I had to take a picture.

Met Jimmy from Sweden and Diego from Italy. Had lunch with them. Great guys!

I was originally going to Terridillos but went further because Diego was going to stay in Moratinos and I got one of the last rooms. Nice shower. The room is spartan but clean.

sorry I forgot to post