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Links: to Spain, by way of Windsor: 02 Rally Finish Onto Spain: 05 onto Leon 06 Astorga 08 to El Acebo 12 O'Cebreiros
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| Astorga, Castille. 15 May Thursday | ||||||||
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While committed pilgrims were trudging along the Camino from Leon towards Astorga today, we took the easy road.30 minute ride in a high speed, quite comfortable train (I wish we had one like that on the Newcastle to Sydney run). The hardest part was lugging our big bags up the hill from the railway station to our accommodation for the night - but DB did the bulk of that. I simply gave directions from the GPS.
We are almost next door to the town's Cathedral - they really are almost a dime-a-dozen over here, with even quite small towns having a church laying claim to the title of 'cathedral'. I still enjoy hearing the bells, rung many times throughout the day - not just as Mass or Angelus times, but also on the hour.. Before dinner tonight, we walked all of 50 metres, to see the Cathedral - but the real surprise was the Episcopal Palace (i.e., the Bishop's House). I'd read it was designed by Antoni Gaudi, the architect responsible for the amazing Gaudi basilica in Barcelona. And we took one look at the Bishop's Palace, and yes, we see Gaudi's hand in the flamboyant exterior. The stonework detail in the adjacent Cathedral, while not Gaudi's work (building on the Cathedral started in 1471) is also worth more than a second look: |
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 The Bishop's Palace bears a resemblance to a castle in a fairtytale! |
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On a more pedestrian issue, like most European hotels at all levels, the bathrooms are yet to
have separate shower cubicles.. It's dead set risky climbing
in and out of bathtubs to have a shower - and as for the
temperature/water pressure controls, well, I don't have the
necessary technical skills to master them. Dave has to have
first shower, and he leaves the controls in such a way even I can
turn it on. Tomorrow, we start walking in earnest, and I must admit, I'm a little concerned as to how I'll go for the 20km stretch to Rabanal. Next: walking to Rabanal . |
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While on a totally
different scale to the Parador's converted monastery in Leon, this
more modest establishment, Le Casa de Teta, has considerable charm
of its own, with a relaxing courtyard, and a bar that works on the
honour system (pretty safe, I suppose, since most of its clients are
pilgrims), and all mod cons including the oh-so essential wi-fi.
Even pilgrims need their internet connections.