Total ascent today = level
Cumulative distance = 281.6 miles
Today was much like yesterday. Walking alongside a quiet country road. Weather is still great.
Early on, we came across a cemetery.
This pilgrim was dying to get in.
Well the conversation just went downhill from there.
David: "It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever going to have". (Clint Eastwood, Unforgiven)
LeeAnn: There's room in there for us.
David: I'm counting on Ray Kurzweil's Singularity, the concept of merging humanity and technology. So that everything you ever were still exists, forever.
LeeAnn: Why? I'm looking forward to sleeping for a very long time
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singularity_Is_Near
Way markers were few and far apart, but big.
The scenery is still mostly agricultural. We still saw signs of the upcoming high speed train, supposedly opening in 2015. Every few miles we see bridges built over the future tracks, so farmers can get their equipment between fields.
Irrigation canals are still important.
After 8 miles of walking next to trees that just aren't big enough to do us any good,
We finally arrived at our lunch stop in Reliegos, a nice little cafe by the road.
Dave had his usual jamon, lechuguilla, and tomato bogadillo. I am really enjoying the ensalada mixta as a meal.
A nice white asparagus spear is almost always included. Delicious!
This little guy just wanted some bread.
When we started walking again, we found more underground bodegas (wine cellars).
Just the other side of Reliegos we found some more of what we think are St James' Way roses,
And another pilgrim monument.
He's got a tight grip on that wine gourd.
The rest of the day's walk was much the same.
Mansilla has a little bit of urban sprawl.
But still has a separate medieval age old town. Two routes to Santiago de Compestela, the Frances Route (the one we're on) and the Roman Route, come together in this town.
The Frances Route enters the town through what's left of the east gate, Puerta de Castilla.
Tomorrow is a rest day in Leon. We will taxi in from here and taxi back to continue the hike. The reason we have to do it that way, is because all the museums are closed on Monday, our scheduled rest day in Leon. This way, we will spend Sunday touring the city, cathedral, and museums, and return to walk into the city on Monday.
One of my colleagues is also reading your blog and is thoroughly enjoying it -- we both cheered that David finally got his boots. I've never heard of 'Singularity' -- and I don't think I like the concept. I also noted that David doesn't look as scruffy in today's pics... :-)
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