Arrival in Leon

Rowan, I’ve been given first blogging rights as a trial for a Camino post…
We both slept well, Mum waking about 5.30 and me 7.
We packed up our gear and headed out with Marg for breakfast just across from our hotel - prioritising good coffee over pastries. Good coffee, shaved ham, tomato purée on bread rolls. Perfect sustenance before our train trip.
Marg walked us to Sol metro and we farewelled having spent 1.5 wonderful days together enjoying Madrid.
An easy metro trip to Chamartin and a short walk to the “fast train” station. Mum got an important email saying the 11.23 train was now departing at 11.26 and to be there half an hour prior. We were there early (thanks guardian angel Amr) and our platform wasn’t announced until 11.27 and left about half an hour late - Spanish time.
The train was fast, up to 300km/h - a quick 2 hour trip to Leon. It was only about 1km walk to our hotel, it was warm, about 30 degrees. I did look up Ubers- none available. I agreed to walk, a shaded path and not too many cobblestones. It was actually an easy walk to the hotel. A lovely quaint, old wooden hotel. We checked in and had a lovely chat to Paul. We then took off to see the magnificent cathedral and opted for a beer (Mum) and Sangria (me) overlooking the cathedral rather than exploring inside today.
As we were hungry and our cafe didn’t serve food (Mum didn’t want me hangry) we popped across the square, still with a superb view of the cathedral, and enjoyed a delicious burrata and a vino blanco and Tinto. We then meandered through the streets finding plaza mayor with a detour via a less salubrious part of town and found the restaurant that Mum was keen to eat at. After freshening up, out we headed.
We had a wander around this beautiful city Leon and were keen to get a table at Rua 11. Luckily we did as it was continually packed and busy. We enjoyed a delicious feast of fresh produce. Mum showed a pic of her last visit to the place and the owner recognised Mum, Amr, Rich and Rachel. He took Mum’s phone to share the pic and acknowledged their previous visits. A lovely meal. We then wandered for a nightcap over the cathedral. A perfect evening.

This is now me, Rosie, having my say…it’s all very well giving Cathy a turn of being first, but the whole thing is delayed because we went out and ended up too late, and Oz is now already awake…but I have to say that Cathy has well described our day…it is surreal arriving here (for me the 5th time) …but never before by train…3 times walking, and one - after hospital - by bus. León is such a beautiful city, and we are going to have a whole day tomorrow wandering round and seeing all the beauty, before we leave walking on Friday. It really was so gratifying tonight when the main guy at the bar (Rua 11) where we ate was so excited at the photo we showed him of us (Amr, me, Rachel and Richard) in May last year…he took my phone to show to the woman…it is such a hip and happening place, with people queuing to come in…it is very small, and very limited seating…we prowled earlier and saw that they opened at 8pm, and were there almost on the dot, and finally left at 10.15 when someone had booked…a great night…all is going well.もっと詳しく