Leon to Madrid: Time Out

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 My stopover in Madrid was a chance to catch up with old friends. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. It was a welcome interlude from the pilgrim world.

On my way out of Leon the other morning, the street to the station was deserted except for me and Antoni Gaudi. He invited me to a game of chess.

He won - and wished me a buen camino! The trains in Spain go as fast as planes; and before too long I was relaxing in the Plaza Major in Madrid.

Madrid was bustling with workers, holiday makers and fans of Pope Leo XIV who is expected tomorrow.
After a breakfast of unfrozen orange juice I walked the sunny hills of Madrid . . . (without glimpsing Peter Sarsted - where did he go to, my lovely šŸŽµ)

Security - old and new was gearing up for the papal visit 

Locals and visitors alike queued to make a wish

I put in my request for a free ‘access all areas’ pass to next month’s Madrid music festival.

If that doesn’t work, I can buy cheese from Mercado San Miguel 

Or put in a special request for a guitar from Hazen’s  music šŸŽµ 

The Pope arrives tomorrow. I stopped by the cathedral and got a Camino stamp.

Just as well. The church will be closed for official business for a while.

Read the sign for opening hours, Mike! 

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