Day 17 Reliegos to León

Day 17 - Reliegos to León 26.1 km

This quote was shared with me last night.

“The more in harmony with yourself you are, the more joyful you are and the more faithful you are. Faith is not disconnecting you from reality - it connects you to reality.”
Paulo Coelho.

I was on the route to Leon at 5.30 am.

The descent into Mansilla de las Mulas and the Rio Esla was a rude awakening to my now numb feet. My headlamp struggled in the pitch darkness. Attire today is 3 walking tops and a fleece. It was bitterly cold and it felt uncomfortable in my bones. Numerous pilgrims had embraced the same notion at this early hour. I proceeded to briskly walk to generate heat and accumulate +++ km before 10.00 am.

Knowing the next village was only 6 km away, I decided to keep going even though there was an opportunity to stop and have a hot drink. Hopefully, I would have thawed out before drinking a hot coffee.

Puente Villarente boasts a magnificent and enigmatic bridge, surrounded by a densely populated riverbank dotted with thin and spherical trees. In Puente Ingente translated to 'Giant Bridge,' I again crossed an ancient bridge of twenty perfectly built arches. It was both stately and breathtaking.

Annie had sent me some upbeat music for this ‘notorious’ part of my journey.
I listened to the tracks and inwardly giggled at her choice.

Time passed quickly, and soon I could see the outline of Leon. I ‘shimmied’ into the city and found my Hotel. Yes, I have the luxury of my own room tonight with a bath and an on-site restaurant.

Tomorrow the terrain changes dramatically, setting a new challenge for my body, especially my feet.Read more