Down into the City of Lions! (Not actually, rather the name is derived from the Roman legions who camped here thousands of years ago.)

A fairly short day, meaning a more relaxed start and even time for communal breakfast and that rare gem on Camino, a pre-walk coffee courtesy of the hospitalero / warden.

Off into the world again, in broad daylight and with great company, and then largely alongside main roads for the first wee while. Later, the path would diverge and at least gain some space from the highways.

Eventually, a hill crested… the Camino climbing above the highway which dived at that point into a steep-sided cutting… and there, falling away before us like water from a cloud, under grey skies the city and cathedral of León.

Thru its suburbs and, before too long, inside an albergue run by very friendly volunteers. Rain started once we’d stepped back outside in clean, dry clothes – twas ever thus – and put paid to much exploring beyond the cathedral itself.

This the last major city before our ultimate destination, Santiago; there are two days until another small city en route, Astorga. After that, we’re climbing back into mountains – including the highest point of the entire Camino.

Stats for today:

• 18.4km
• 164m ascent
• 114m descent
• 3 major cathedrals visited in past 3 weeks