From Leon to Astorga

Day 17, Monday 9 September 2013

Distance to Santiago:  321,1 km

The distance to Astorga was 55,8 km and it was our last shift by bicycle.  We left Leon about 8:30, passing Plaza San Marcos, San Marcos is a former monastery and hospital in the city of León. It is now a luxury hotel, and includes a church and museum.
The way to Astorga was relatively  flat but there was 1,2 km ascend.

There was a steep downhill and even steeper uphill path after La Virgen Del Camino. It was hard and again I was asking myself why I torture myself like this.  Last night I noticed that I had trouble using my right hand when I could not press the toothpaste tube to add toothpaste on the toothbrush.  I had to use my left hand.  I did not experience any pain or discomfort and concluded that it might be the strain caused by being on a bicycle for eight hours.   Therefore I made effort  to change arm and hand positions regularly while on the bike.  What I found on the Camino was that the pain, desperation, effort and exhaustion were always rewarded by nature, the tranquility, the wind, the sun, the road, the farmlands and my daughter always being supportive.

Signs like this sometimes provided the necessary encouragement.

On the way to Vilar de Mazarife

We stopped for lunch at Puento de Orbigo, one of the longest and best preserved medival bridges in Spain.

Astorga is an interesting city with rich history.  Astorga lies in the area of the Maragatos, a small ethnic and cultural community with distinctive customs and architecture.  The 9th-century Episcopal Palace (Palacio Espiscopal), designed by Antoni Gaudi.