A bit shabby, that was a complete under estimation - It was a dump. My room was formed in the roof eaves, it felt like a pigeon loft. The
bathroom was dirty and the tub was smaller than a tin bath. To top it
all, the pilgrims meal in the so called “Restaurant” was awful. Mind
you, for €9 for 3 courses you expect that much.
However we both had a very good nights sleep and refreshed set off via the village shop to pick up some lunch as there will be
nothing en-route.
We pass by a Bodega similar to the one Patrick had in Moratinos, some of these extended back into the hill about 20m.
Another Bodega entrance.
We find a picnic area and stop and have our lunch. It has been an easy journey
today along the flat.
We arrive at our hostel in Mansilla de las Mulas early. We walked the
25km in just 4½ hours including our lunch stop. Plenty of time to wash
our clothes, shower and change.
It is essential that you have a clean top, socks and pants every day.
Generally there is somewhere to hang them to dry or just put on a radiator.
The town is entered by the North-east door of the Great Wall that in
parts still stands, through which the pilgrims coming along the “Roman
Way” or “Trajan Way” would have entered the town. The Gothic arch and
vault are made of stone blocks and you can see these in the crenelated
parapet.
The name of this interesting old town is derived from Mano en Silla (hand on the saddle). This may well refer to the towns earlier prominence
as a live stock town.
Whatever about its agricultural roots, the medieval wall (2th century)
still protects the town from the encroachment of the modern world.
The church in the centre of the town was first constructed in the
twelfth century had has been added to and restored over recent years.
The main square still has some early buildings, where we shall eat
tonight.
Tomorrow
we will leave by crossing the Rio Esla via the old bridge to head for
Leon. This is a large Cathedral city with a population of 130,000.
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