Astorga

I was on a real mission to reach Astorga. We set off early and as I font have a watch I would guess it was 530. We walked for an hour in the darkness across cornfields. In the distance I can see an outline of the Picos de Europa.

I reached Hospital at 9, 3 and half hours walking, to have breakfast pñ a terrace overlooking a medieval bridge. Apparently it was defended by a knight who inspired Don Quioxite.

The villages past here have had a timeless feel - many of the houses are made of earth and need a new layer every year. Some have been built into the hillsides, a bit like a hobbit's place?

I flew up the hill today, overtaking everyone - I feel like I am wearing the yellow jersey. Well, a scarf at least! I look ridiculous but nobody cares.

Tbc.... I have a curfew lol

Suddenly the landscape has become very green (mmm Eucalyptus), we must be getting close to Galicia! I can see tomorrow´s montanas ahead of me but I´m really looking forward to it. In the middle of nowhere today, I came across a shack with a stall of fruit and drink. The two young hippies who were running it (giving everything away for free) live outside and have been doing this as a service to peregrinos for 3 years. I donated some money for the fruit I took. The last 3km today were extremely tough coming into the city, as usual. Walking from 5.30 - 2.30 is quite a long time! But, if you don´t walk, no-one is going to carry you. Believe it or not, there are actually no buses on the camino because most of it is off-road. Astorga is (boringly for you) yet another beautiful and historic city. Of course, these cities grew from the importance of the camino. It seems to be famous for its chocolate but I have resisted the signs for churros.