Barcelona to Astorga - Camino bound again!

-


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 - as did the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, a bit of a rock star in these parts.

He designed this ‘palace’ for the local bishop.  I imagine he was handsomely compensated with generous rewards of Astorgan chocolates and shortbread. Such is life.





Comments

  1. Anonymous15 June 2026 at 09:12

    Looks like you are having good weather Mike. Makes the walking so much easier and enjoyable. Jenny

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous15 June 2026 at 15:53

    👍yes warm but not too hot- and evening thunderstorms in Astorga made for a beautiful clear air walk this morning

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Salceda to Santiago de Compostela- Arrived!

-
Image
Today I arrived at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. There was much celebration. Friends ahead of me friends behind me - we watched each other walk in - memories of steep climbs and descents, being alone, being together on the path - came flooding back. There was no need for words - just smiles and hugs, and plans to get together tonight. Head light primed for an early start. I organised with friends further along to meet them for breakfast - I had some kilometres to cover. It was dark. Fortunately, I (sort of) knew the path. I had walked it in daylight - and in the rain and dark before. I stayed here once . . . Years ago, a good friend came back to this place to see if I was alright. It was cold, dark and wet. I had been ill and he checked on me. We walked together to the Cathedral, even singing ‘Volare’ towards the end when I came good. I made breakfast at O Pedrouzo- how wonderful! Everyone wished each other well- some I had seen each day, others not for ages. After breakfast, we bi...
Read more

Mollymook to Barcelona - Half the world away

-
Image
I have returned to Spain - starting from Mollymook last weekend and arriving in Barcelona yesterday - half a world away.  This Camino experience will be different.  Instead of following one particular path, I will be walking sections of  different routes and taking detours in various places - more free wheeling, as well as volunteering as a hospitalero for a couple of weeks. A hospitalero/a is someone who looks after Camino pilgrims in an albergue - a type of hostel manager (more on that in coming days) Another difference was that this Camino started with a pilgrimage to watch Collingwood play Geelong in Melbourne (Collingwood lost 😞) and the opportunity to visit family and leave from my sister’s front door.  I walked to the tram and took a bus from the city to  the airport, then checked in my pack and prepared for the flight to Barcelona via Dubai. The war in the Middle East had been a concern. After 14 hours, I reached Dubai and had a short stop over. Dubai s...
Read more

Santiago to Oviedo - Singing and sauntering

-
Image
Arume Bar in Santiago is so welcoming. Bar owner Habin shook my hand as I walked in, and asked me to play. Andoni the resident guitarist saw me and came over, gave me a hug, and we did a set. I love Santiago. My hostel was close by the cathedral. After checking in, I went in search of a beer (well two actually). And something to eat. Later I met Camino friends for  dinner, and suggested we go to the Arume Bar - it was an open mic night. Local artists played including one (Harry) who I knew from Finisterre as well as a Mexican guy who was fabulous. Andoni’s wife sang Stand By Me (blended with Every Breath You Take) with us. Next morning, chocolate con churros hit the spot. The rest of the day was a slow saunter around Santiago. My body appreciated it. I said goodbyes to various Camino friends and had an early night. I dropped the key in the box, left the hostel. I started making my way to the bus station. The cathedral precinct was almost deserted. I sat down in the Plaza Obradoiro ...
Read more