Day 22 walking. Fourth week begins in Léon. 13 May

Notes to self. ( written first today, because they were important lessons!)

• 25km Reliegos to Leon..... but
• Not a good idea to drink a bottle of sidra at lunchtime on a hot day, especially on a long walking day.
• Thought I had experienced the full range of hostel experiences..... But not so apparently. Segregated dormitories was not even on my mind when we checked in to the hostel in Léon run by the Benedictine Nuns. I still have much to learn.
• Albergue  Monasterio de Benedictinas... 5€ each  Separado!!
• very kind nun said I should take a lower bunk!  Something was showing!

Men's dorm...

Walked 25km, but decided to take it easy. No rush for accommodation in a city like Leon, although we got some of the last remaining beds in our hostel. Lucky us.

Stopped on the way for a Sidra Natural. Interesting experience. From what little I understood, it is natural fermentation process. Needs to be poured from a height, and only what you can drink at once should be poured into the glass. Mmmmm. It was tasty, but different from others I've had. And quite strong.

Follow that with long uphill, the sidra went straight to the head!!!!

We've seen lots of storks in the last couple of weeks, and lots of their nests. Sooo interesting.

Dogs on the camino

We saw a dog with saddlebags on the camino last week, and today we saw 2 more. One poor fellow was following a pilgrim walking the opposite direction (Santiago to St Jean), and we've seen a few of those lately. This pilgrim looked like he'd stepped out of a bygone era - long coat/cape, floppy hat, long hooked staff with a gourd. But the dog following him was walking very slowly. Each of his feet had pieces of rubber inner tube looped front to back and strapped at the top. Poor fellow, but he followed along at his own pace. (Unfortunately no pics)

Later we were passed by two bikes- one was towing a small covered trailer.... And one happy looking dog was perched comfortably in the back. Lucky pooch!

Lots of amazing sights in Léon.

Chance meeting with some of our camino family in León

Our new camino family from Budapest.

We are sooo tired.

Frozen yoghurt. But red bits are jubes, not like lychee balls we have in Melbourne.

Lex has finally bought his one luxury item. A larger travel towel. Small towel has been a constant frustration for him. Also got gloves, at last. Necessary. But we also both bought better rain coats, apparently rain is predicted again in the next few days.

Now 9.30pm. Doors are closed, and some lady in black dress and headpiece went through the dorms collecting people for church. I need to charge this device and can't leave it unattended, but Lex trotted off after her. Bless him.

More notes to self.

• Interesting to observe behaviour of (some) women in segregated dorm.  They can be sooo rude.  Haven't seen that before.  Women pushing bunks together, effectively blocking passages for others.
• Lex commented on the amount of snoring in the men's dorm.  So much louder than mixed dorms.

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