Catch up...

Leon to Hospital de Obrigo, distance hiked (yesterday): 34.7km

Hospital de Obrigo, distance hiked (today): 15.9km

Total distance remaining: 273.4km

As you can see, we´ve broken 500+ in distance now, woo-hoo! The stages coming up are looking to be more mountainous than the last week of flat flat nothing. Should provide an interesting change!

Yesterday we decided to take an alternative path out of Leon in order to save 4km in total distance for the day as we were pushing on an extra half stage. The reasoning behind this was in order to get into Astorga early today to have time to look around and drink in all the amazing history (and culinary delights) that this city has to offer.

The trek to Obrigo was long and boring to be honest and we arrived there about 6.30pm, very tired and hungry. However, this place has the most amazing bridge, its unreal (pictures to follow). It certainly was a great surprise and a good finish to a rather ardurous day. The refugio felt like a house, and the host was very hospitable and just lovely. It felt like we were staying at a friends house, not a hostel! It was also great because there was no one snoring in our room!

We had a nice sleep in this morning (7am) and were on the road by 8am. We arrived in Astorga just before lunch and have just spent the last couple of hours looking around. I would definitely recommend this city to anyone coming to spain, it is fantastic. Now, we are going to the chocolate museum (mom i´ll eat lots of choc for you) and to look in some of the cathedrals.

I had the most bizarre experience earlier when I popped out to get some bread while Gabe was showering. I was walking into town and this old spanish man comes up to me and says, are you a pilgrim (in spanish of course). I nod and he quickly starts listing off, have you seen this? have you seen that? and I just shake my head no. So he starts escorting me around all these little sights of the city giving me history on each one. So funny, awesome and unexpected. We were walking around nearly for a half hour and then I realized I should probably get back because Gabe would be worried I got lost (lets be honest, I got lost in Norfolk, my hometown for those who aren´t familiar, once or twice). Quickly said my thank yous and bought some bread, then rushed home. I love this city.