Walking the Camino Frances

The best news for today is we were up to full complement of six pilgrims!!  The plan was that Martin and Mitch would aim for half way and see how things were before deciding whether to walk the whole stage or not.   As we had done 4.5km of the stage in the book yesterday, we had 23.5km to go.  We left the lovely Albergue La Huella at 6.30am and set off. The first stop of Hospital de Orbigo was at 6.5km and perfect distance before breakfast. The route started along the main road once again but just before Hospital de Obrigo it headed away from the road which was a relief for us all. The walk into HdO was just beautiful across a great bridge. Immediately as we crossed the bridge there was a restaurant with an outside terrace looking over the bridge, the perfect spot for breakfast. We walked on through Villares de Orbigo... And then to Santibanez de Valdeiglesias where it was time for a drink in a great spot. A new bar, soon to be Albergue, where the hospitalero was jus...

After a lovely meal last, where poor Martin barely ate, he was unfortunately sick all night so didn't walk with us today. Mitch had his new shoes on, so he did and we were five! We left Leon a bit later than planned after a struggle dropping our bags as the whole city was either in bed or still up and heading home. It was a long walk out of the city and unfortunately there were no cafes open. In the end we stopped at a petrol station for some food, coffee and cold drinks. The walk wasn't pretty and was mainly alongside a road. But the villages are always interesting!! La Virgen del Camino also showed the 300km to go mark!! We headed to Valverde de la Virgen at 11.5km thinking we could have a sit down and something to eat.  The first bar we reached was open so we took off the back packs found a table in the shade and went in to order. No food! We had drinks and crisps to keep our salt levels up!  At this point Mitch decided it was best not to keep walking as his feet were start...

And then there were 2!  Matin's dodgy tummy didn't clear up as much as he hoped, and after some dry toast at breakfast he made the decision to get the bus to Leon wIth Mitch. After breakfast Fi and I headed on our own out of Mansilla del las Mulas.  We reached Villamoros de Mansilla after 4km quite quickly and kept on to Villarente at 7km for a stop. We decided on cold drinks and a croissant to share. Without Martin, our resident spanish speaker I drew the sort straw. It was all going well till the lovely guy serving added tapas!! Ie something free. The tapas consisted of two huge churros and half a doughnut!!!   After that we just kept walking!  No need for further sustenance! Through some quiet villages.  At one point it seemed as though we were being pointed down a slip road the wrong way, but it was all good and finally we were in the suburbs of Leon.   We found the apartment, the boys had managed to get the laundry on and the British Lions Rugby m...