Sept 29, Foncebadon 28km

A shorter trek, but much more climbing. Days earlier we could see the mountains we would need to climb, and today we have reached those mountains (they are really hills). Many villages along the way to enjoy breaks. About 6km before our destination we stopped for lunch. We were thirsty and hungry, and it's so difficult to continue the trek after a big lunch.

Camino suvieners to buy along the way.

People leaving memories along the Camino of loved ones

Pumpkins...I think they actually eat them in Spain.

The dinner crasher

Heading for the mountain hilltop

Our Hostal, El Convento 

Very unique roofs.

The Main Street in Foncebadon 

Pilgrim laundry 

Sept 28, Astorga 32km

32km! Need I say more. It was a long trek that I was not looking forward to, but my body responded to the challenge. It was a day of changing terrain from flat fields to rolling hills with the first sight of trees. And many small villages to stop and enjoy cold beer and tapas. It was 29c, so a lot of beer was consumed.

We look forward to seeing the red chairs.

Many pilgrims stop for a rest and refresh

This little guy was being bad by hopping on tables.

A quick stop at Hospital...what an awesome bridge!

We arrived in Astroga in the late afternoon and too tired to explore the town. We showered and had dinner, and started a tour of the town at about 7:30pm. 

Astroga in the distance 

There are many fountains along the Camino. This the best one seen.

• Palacio Episcopal, Episcopal palace by architect Antonio Gaudi, Astorga, Castilla y León, Spain.
• Gaudi has designed buildings all over Spain.

Sept 27, Villar de Mazarife, 24km

This was a delightful day. Except for the walk in the morning through Leon's industrial and residential districts. It was so much more pleasant going through the rural areas. And many cafes along root serving delicious tapas. 

We met new pilgrims and discovered many started their Camino at Leon.

Leaving Leon.

Root cellars...many are abandoned 

A more modern church

A local bar celebrating Halloween...the owner clapped her hands and 

one of the witches started to move.

This person's yard was full of garden gnomes 

Sept 25-26, Leon 20km

According to Julie, leaving Mansilla without a coffee was not going to happen even if it meant searching the entire town. We walked half km back where Albergue Jardin had its restaurant open, and it was full of pilgrims getting a kick-start to the day. 

We went through beautiful landscape leaving Mansilla and as we got closer to Leon there was more road travel. From the distance we could see the cathedral spirals. And what a beautiful cathedral! This is a fantastic town, with lots of restaurants, bars and pastry shops serving great food. And the reason we stayed an extra day.

Entering the walls of Leon.

We don't often (never) stay at Paradores. Maybe the price 350Euros/night a factor.

One painting in the lobby!

Finding our Hostal was challenging. This is a big town and we were given a map, but the print was so small, I couldn't make out the street names. I discovered later I was reading the street name upside down. I'll have to either bring a magnifying glass or download a GPS app for the smartphone.

The cathedral is awesome!

Sept 24, Mansilla de las Mulas 24km, 337km to go

This was a repeat of yesterday's trek. A sunny day and the entire 24 km trek lined with trees. Thank you (whoever did this) for making the Camino a better experience for tired pilgrims.

This sheep escaped from his farm.

Lunch in our Casa courtyard

Our house was called, The Singer. I wonder why?

Sept 23, Bercianos del Real Camino 28km

This was a hot day, and thank you to the planners who orchestrated the planting of trees for 10km - keeping pilgrims in shade. We arrived in Bercianos tired and hot. It was so enjoyable to find a bar and have some tapas and wine. It was also an opportunity to meet new pilgrims, and exchange stories of the Camino. 

Root cellars along the Camino. 

So sunny, hot and dry! Nothing can survive in this temperature!

Always a marker to show us the way.