Hobbit houses on way out of Leon. Actually entrances to underground wine stores -bodegas.  

Taken the shorter route today which meant following the senda along the round. Still 28km.       Not to bad in places but not really scenic. This is near the end of the meseta. The hills towards Gallicia should be making their appearance soon. 

    Met an American this morning who was doing the camino for his second time-this time with his teenage daughter. He admitted skipping the meseta this time because from Burgos to Leon is rather a test of endurance.   Reached Hospital  del Orbego by 2.30. This town is famous for its many arched 13th century bridge and for its jousting connection. Unfortunately I couldn’t get here for last weekend when they had their annual jousting festival to celebrate the famous tournament of 1434 – as explained on the board below.     

  Apparently “a noble knight from Leon, Don Suero de Quinones, scorned by a beautiful lady threw down the gauntlet to any knight who dared to pass as he undertook to defend the bridge against all comers. Knights from all over Europe took up the challenge. Don Suero successfully defended the bridge for a month until the required 300 lances had been broken… He then proceeded to Santiago to offer thanks for his freedom from the bonds of love and for  his honour now restored.”

But we’ve all said things we regretted at times haven’t we.