So the last few days were long days and I cannot deny a progressive feeling of a cold building. So I booked into Hospetaria Pax – for one reason and one reason only. Our Pop was called Pax because he was a lovely quiet man. So I wanted a lovely quiet night.

I caught the train in with the Lady from Atlanta, one of the Grañon Italians, lady from the US who pops down whenever visiting her son in Germany and another lady from the US I had met briefly in Burgos. A German a couple of Spanish pilgrims etc etc. It was wet, it was cold and it was miserable. Not a reason for not walking the camino today but a darn good reason to use the day to catch up some kilometres so I can make it to Santiago in time. Anyway left in the dark and rain.

Arrived Leon before anything opened of course – except for the one cafe on the square in front of the Cathedral. Spent the day in Leon visiting Farmacia’s seeking remedies for the ever threatening runny nose. I scored a nasal spray and some paracetamol but was reluctant to resort the antibiotics I carry just yet.

I also purchased some new shoes. I know you’d think I’d have it right by now but the truth is my feet are growing! Well I actually had to update my Hokas before leaving but no one had my model or size in stock so I had resorted to buying online and then taking a couple of the wrong ones back to the store. I had finally settled on a men’s pair in the size that had suited me for my last couple of visits to the camino. But guess what?

My toes were just touching on those downhill tracks and even though most of the walking had been on reasonably level ground the last couple of days I noticed some red swelling around the base of my two big toes and realised the pressure on my well trimmed nails was taking its toll. The new shoes – exactly the same model (anacapa) but 1/2 a size bigger. Definitely feeling better already.

So I visited the Oficina de Correos and posted the other boots forward. As long as Im not walking 20-30km over multiple days they will still work for dog walks and have a long and happy life when they get home.

We were starving by this point and decided to drop into Burger King which was not necessarily a treat but was easy, predictable and clean so we had a burger and fries and a coke each.

After all this walking and eating I needed a rest so headed back to Pax and had a hot bath and the best siesta I’ve had on the camino. The bed was perfect and so were the sheets and pillows = Belissimo!

Anyway I woke for the evening meal and wandered around in the rain marvelling at all the places that had been buzzing and vibrant in the summer and were completely closed at this time of year. I finally made my way back to the square in front of Pax and sat outside alone in the rain and ate the best Pizza (although they insisted it was some other name which I’m sorry I cant remember.

Okay I took some home para llevar! But still couldn’t eat it all!

Sharing a couple of snaps from my wanderings in the rain in the unexpectedly quiet city of Leon.

Went back to sleep again the most comfortable bed on the Camino hoping to wake up healthy and filled with energy for tomorrows adventures!

Buenas Noches