Today was almost a perfect Camino day. I left Leon a little after 8:00am. I worried a bit about getting out of a very large city, however, the signage was good and I was able to follow a trail of pilgrims out of the old town, through the suburban sprawl and passed the industrial wasteland of Leon.
Once out in the country with the familiar crunch of stones under foot I walked through a mix of greenbelt and secondary roads. 11.2kms brought me to the tiny town of Valverde de la Virgen.
Several pilgrims ahead of me were walking to the only cafe in town that served no food. Perhaps I should rephrase that. It was the only cafe in town and it served no food. Sigh!! I was invited to join their table. I had walked before with the gentleman. He was from Scotland originally, but has lived in Holland for the past 40 years, without losing an ounce of his accent or his humour.
After coffee I found the only Albergue in town. I met a Canadian woman from Victoria while waiting for the place to open. Since there were no cafes around the hospitalera made sandwiches for both of us and I had a glass of wine.
I will have dinner here tonight. Tomorrow is a 14kms walk to San Martin del Camino. It’s warmed up a little but it’s still not too hot. I have resumed having my bag transferred and the walking is easy. Soon I will be in the mountains again and the ascents will be more strenuous. However for now. I’m just enjoying the path and the people. Buen Camino.