Day 23: Leon to Hospital de Orbigo

Wow! Spain loves to Fiesta! I arrived last night a little weary from a few cervezas and a full day of company, to the Hostel Covent Garden in Leon for a night sleep. I ran into Lyndall just before I hit the hay, who was on my flight at Gatwick. She was so excited to see me, it was warming. She mentioned that she had also run in to Amy in Leon too.

As soon as I was in the room I could hear the party raging on the Calle Ancha outside. Like in Logroño, the main theme of the night was bachelorette parties and stag do’a with costumes and beer. The parties went on well into the night and despite being again with no snorers, little sleep was had! In the morning I had a cup of coffee at 5.30 in the hostel after getting dressed and I could still see a few lingering party goers in the streets. I would meet a lot of them as I walked out of Leon.

The plan today was to walk the scenic, longer route to the end of the stage at mazarife, totalling around 21km. but, I felt strong after my coffee 10km in so I decided to call my albergue and cancel, booking myself a private room further on in hospital de Orbigo. This meant I would walk about 35km today, and the route was once again very straight. One foot in front of the other I kept going the whole day without much to remark. I felt resolutely proud of myself today, and yesterday for that matter, purely because I was meeting more pilgrims who had started in Burgos or in Leon than in SJPDP. That means I have been walking for 23 days, which really is a special thing!

One more stop for lunch and I am feeling the extra distance at this point. It is always the last 10km that seems to get you! The sun is in full blaze and it is humid, like a storm should break out from the sky at any point. Of course this doesn’t happen and I arrive to Orbigo tired and ready for a rest.

Perhaps a night in for me?

I have a dinner by myself at a small restaurant filled with pilgrims. I feel happy having dinner by myself and think that I really should do this at least once a month. And holidays by myself, walks by myself. Really I feel more like I’ve been walking back to comfort with myself every day. I marvel at how far I have come! And how far I still have left to go. Dinner was trout from the river in Orbigo, seafood soup and homemade fruit salad. One thing I haven’t mentioned so far is how delicious the oranges are here - I have started ordering orange juice for breakfast just because I simply can’t not do it.

I realise also that the next town, Astorga, is about 17km away. I will walk it tomorrow at a leisurely pace and do what I can in the city even though it is a Monday and everything will be closed. I am now sitting in my hotel room eating crisps in bed and watching a movie, although I am so so grateful for the space!

Goodnight all :)Read more