A very easy day today - we were in Leon, lined up to get into the Madres Benedictinas refuge in the Convento Santa Maria de las Carbajalas by 11. We saw a lot of friends in the line-up, and were very happy to be settled into the segregated (by sex) dorms at noon. After a shower and laundry we headed out to see the town. It is the forth largest city on the route.
The Cathedral is spectacular, and the stained glass is as magnificent as anything anywhere in Europe, to quote the guidebook. We bought the tour and it was worth it to help us appreciate it´s history.
We had a late lunch, instead of a late dinner, and as we sat on the sidewalk and enjoyed out ensalada mixta, squid in it´s own ink and a bottle of wine, we were joined by Patrice and Brian from Victoria. We had a lovely chat with them while we finished the bottle of wine.
Quite a few people came by that we had met, including Mark, whose pictures I keep sharing on facebook, and Trudy, whom we met on our first evening in Orrison.
It was such a different day for us. The walk was easy, and only took us 4 hours. The weather is lovely for people watching, and it was a treat to encounter so many we had not seen for days.
We wandered around the old city and marvelled at all the Spanish people out for a stroll. The smaller villages we go though seem so deserted, and we never seem to see any evidence of children, or their schools, but today we saw several groups of school children, visiting the city.
We plan to go to vespers tonight with the sisters, and be up at 6 tomorrow. They offer breakfast, so we will be fueled and on the road to San Martin del Camino by 7 am.
