Leon to Villar de Mazarife

29th March 2012, 22k or 32,114 steps on my stepometer Leon to Villar de Mazarife.I spent what felt like forever trying to get to sleep last night I ended up reading and finishing the book I started to read on the train to Leon white fang by Jack London and probably drifted off around 2am I then woke up just after 6:30 when everyone in the albergie was packing their bags to leave, breakfast was bread and jam and coffee,I needed the coffee more than the food and I got out at about 7:30 it was still dark outside as I headed towards the cathedral and then the outskirts of the city I was wearing my jacket as it was 4 degrees about 7k into the walk the path veers off the road and heads into open countryside I stop in a few bars along the way for refreshments and arrive at my destination for the day at 4pm I have a few blisters from today's walk to lance and I have a room to myself tonight and I keep my fingers crossed and prey that I sleep well.

Madrid to Leon

28th March 2012, I didn't sleep very well in the room even though it was a comfortable bed and that I had walked around the beautiful city of Madrid for a few hours before to try to tire myself out, lots of weird traffic and city sounds coming from outside my room in the street below, I almost jump out of the bed after hearing the screeching sounds of a jackhammer as my wake up call from outside, the shower was warm and welcoming the complimentary clean and white hotel towel was also a welcome luxury, getting out of the room at 10:15 i negotiate my way to the main train station via the underground system and a few misdirection's so by the time I get there and then que up to buy my ticket I have only 4 minutes to find the platform and then board the train to Leon!. I make it with literaly seconds to spare, good job I decided to skip the coffee stop on the way. It's so different being back here in Leon now it's Spring, the weather is lovely it's sunny and warm the temp today is 20 degrees. I have decided to stay in the central albergie as opposed to the municipal one further back along the path, more because it's central and because it wasn't open the last time I was here.I'm apprehensive but am looking forward to tomorrows walk now. I decide to follow the big crowd in the reception of the albergie and go with them all and get a blessing from the Nuns at the local Monastery before I head tail and turn into my sleeping bag for the night.

Hi everyone just letting you all know that ive boked my flight to Madrid with Easyjet for the third leg of my journey to Santiago for Tuesday week the 27th March i will stay one night in the City before i get the train up to Leon to carry on where i left the trail of yellow arrows equiped with my new karrimor rucksack and newly purchased guide book by a guy named John Brierly called simply a pilgrims guide to Santiago and my newly repacked kit towards my destination??.I will come back on here in few days to list my backpack contents and tell you all my thoughts. I cant wait and im excited now to be on this pilgrimage again so soon.

Leon

Leon City. I've decided to take a rest in this beautiful city, recharge my batteries rest my tired feet and explore this amazing place,I've taken many photos of the center of the old city and its like a rabbit warren also so photogenic and I've uploaded the pics onto my Flickr account which is www.Flickr.com/photos/moldaviteman Yesterday I found a spa and had a well earn't sauna,steam,Jacuzzi, and then a good massage. The albergie is quiet at the mo. Apart from mammoth snoring at night so good earplugs really recommended if like me a light sleeper, the weather is lovely and sunny out but crisp like 3' degrees.3 euros deposit gives me use of one of the bicycles that the albergie owns and after my weeks of plodding toward Santiago if feel like speedy Gonzales :'0) the hostel is closed for cleaning from 10 till 12:30 so I'm sitting in a great cafe 500yards from the door enjoying a Grande cafe con leche and a tortilla Francesca contemplating life the universe and feeling very content with life. One thing I've realized along this pilgrimage is that we normally have so many luxuries at our disposal in this abundant point in space and time, and these luxuries we have somehow taken for granted, and eventually we kid ourself's in thinking these luxuries are necessities in our life.ha ha, Walking this walk I've realized we really don't need much to enjoy and live life,only good food,clean water, practical clothes,and universal unconditional love for all and everything,and if we truly trust. In this philosophy the universe will always provide exactly what we need along the way.Buen Camino :'0)