Travels to the Edge

A well-trodden rocky road, ascents and descents, from a cool sunny morning yesterday in Astorga, to dinner this evening by a Roman bridge in Molinaseca. It is good to be here - after two days walking the Camino Frances, and feeling the community connection and spirit again. Vespers last night in Rabanal del Camino . . .  Yesterday morning, I farewelled the albergue kitchen in Astorga - without breakfast (my fault 🙄),  Stepped outside,  and a little further up the street, found some guidance from the writing on the wall.  and the local bishop - who was a little cagey,  I was on the way once more! Before long - I had company 👍 and soon after, began to wonder ‘what's behind the green door(s)’ 🎵 More importantly- I thought about breakfast. Fortunately, a hippy bar was around the corner. A brunch of orange juice, tortilla and coffee accompanied by peculiar vibe, and I was away.  The albergue of Our Lady El Pila was home  for the night, run by Isabella - ...

Camino bound by bus! The trip from Barcelona to Astorga via Leon took a couple of days. Time to watch the landscape pass by  and consider different ways to go. The best option was to overnight in Leon. This meant skipping the section between Burgos and Leon (aka the Meseta) - better viewed by bus . . . Well maybe - there is beautiful wine growing landscape in parts.  Simple Sunday morning breakfast in Leon with Sancho Paksa,  Watching the locals prepare for special mass celebrations at the cathedral.   The Mass and ceremonies involved individuals and groups, young and old, from all over the city. The liturgy of the Mass was supported by an outstanding choir and organist (who conducted one handed) Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus is now a lifetime memory 🎵 Afterwards the boys in the band played ‘in the spaces’ between the bars. As a pilgrim ‘outsider’ of sorts, I came away feeling included.  Then it was back on the bus and off to Astorga. The yellow arrows returned - a...