Day 6, Saturday of our first el Camino

This is Ernest giving our daily update today.O what a glorious, crisp Saturday morning walk from Religeos to Mansilla de las Mulas, one of the oldest walled villages in Spain. The 6k walk was wonderful and walking around in Mansilla, looking at the ancient walls-they were so high- like about 14-15 feet high, was breathtaking. But, alas we are taking a half day of rest by taking a bus from Mansilla, 17 k, on into Leon. The guidebook says the buses leave every 30 minutes all day long. Walked up to the bus station only to find that the $1.65 bus ride doesn’t leave for 5 hours! So then quick $20 euro taxi ride into our hotel in Leon. Just a beautiful sunshiny day for brief walk around Leon- so many people filling the streets- street accordion players on the corners- a walking group of young girls singing- and all decked out in pink jackets.

Lunch on a very narrow street, had to be the best tapas ever eaten.  So far, our equipment has done wonderfully, but wish my pack weighed about 6-7 kilos instead of 10 kilos. I have seen a couple of experienced Pilgrams with much smaller packs, so I am learning. The weather has been warm so we mailed our 2 pound sleeping bags home yesterday- amazing that one can feel the difference in weight- but yes it is lighter. Our Leki hiking poles we got in Switzerland a few years ago esomeare wonderful- although have met a few young Pilgrims with no hiking poles. We are meeting some young German Pilgrims for dinner we have met- just a great young couple. My task tomorrow is to find a big rock to tie around my super athlete wife’s waist to slow her down a bit-she has been a superb hiker. We love Jack Johnson’s song ” It’s always better when we are together”- I have one awesome partner. Burn Camino!