Day four. - Leon to Sarria

We had a leisurely start to the day as we don't have so far to travel today!   After a huge continental breakfast we decided to go back to the Cathedral.  This was easier said than done, as all the gates seemed locked, but eventually we found a side entrance that took us into a large chapel where the morning mass was underway.  It was good to sit quietly with others, and soak up the atmohere in this interesting unique place.  I'm sure the mass wasn't in Latin but it may as well have been because only a few words of Spanish made any sense!  After the service we made our way out through the most fantastic cloisters, and decided to pay 4 euros to go to see the inside of the Cathedral.  We were even given an audio!  I have to say the impact on me of the interior of Leon's gothic Cathedral is one that will stay with me forever!  The stained glass windows are absolutely extraordinary!   Breathtakingly beautiful!  Like gems with the light shining through them!  Totally Awesome a building built in stone and light.  For me it surpassed Chartres!  I felt the same WOW I felt the first time I had visited Sainte Chapelle in Paris, but Leon was of course much much bigger!  Ok enough of my enthusing about Leon Cathedral!  Out in the sinshine (fortunately it seems a bit cooler today) we went back to pack our cases and to check out of our hotel.  It's been a great stay, very comfortable, reasonably priced and near to the centre of the old city which is where we wanted to explore!

The wonder continued as we drove through the most spectacular countryside. Swathes of wild flowers, yellow and white broom and trefoils, French lavender, white poppy like flowers, purple orchids, poppies, heather, cornflowers and many more we don't know the names of!!   The backdrop was equally spectacular, mountains with snow on the peaks!  We wound our way round the roads, seeing the pilgrims walking the route! We noticed along the walkers path that many crosses had been made out of simple sticks and tied into the netting fences.   We stopped for coffee in a quaint little village, a pilgrims resting place, which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, and sat in the sunshine enjoying.... just enjoying!!  Then along the road we came to the Iron Cross, a Pilgrims place of great significance.  Tradition is to carry a stone and leave it at the cross.   It was so poignant!  A hill made of stones, stones with messages written on, and other personal bits of 'stuff'!  I really didn't think I would be affected by this but it did move me!  It was the sheer volume of people's thoughts, hopes, gratitude, prayers, whatever .... that really got to me!   Time for a picnic, and to continue on our way through the glorious countryside in the sunshine on to the picturesque town of Ponferrada with a river flowing through it and an ancient stone foot bridge linking the road to the town!  Back in the car, we came into a mountainous region, winding our way round the hilltops, we suddenly came across a huge statue of Santiago against a vast panoramic view!  Another photo opportunity!  We arrived in Sarria about 5 o'clock.   A lovely hotel, again by a flowing river!   I sat and chatted to a couple of ladies from Korea who had been walking since the 1st May when they commenced their walk at St.Jean Pied de Port. They are part of a party of 26.  When I asked how they had got on, they were enthusiastic!  When I asked about their feet, they told me that everyone of their party had had troubles, three of them having to go to hospital!  This walk is not one for the faint hearted!   

We found an Italian pizza place, and enjoyed our meal outside near the river!  David was so thrilled as he saw a dipper!  We had a brilliant sighting, watching this little bird dipping in and out of the water for 10 minutes or so, until he had decided he had entertained us enough and flew away!

Soooo.......tomorrow is our big day!   We must be ready!  We've sorted our bags out as we shall be leaving some of our stuff in the car!   This is what we've come to do!  It has been so wonderful travelling down the Camino route,  parts of it look really very challenging!  So it's time to put our best foot forward!!  ;).  Hope there will be wifi tomorrow night, and I won't be too exhausted to write up the day!  Night night xxx