Life's a Stitch

21k today in perfect weather. We didn't stop for a break until 15, which at times is our end destination.

Leaving Leon we passed a little neighbourhood of bodegas. They appear inhabited. Can this be a unique answer to the need for affordable housing? The Spanish version of a laneway house?

Tonight we're at the Alburgue St. Anthony de Padua in a private room. Mari would dub it as adequate. 30e with three toilets and two showers for eight rooms. A good alternative to the communal room with 50 beds!

The dining room serves only vegetarian fare, so it was salad, gazpacho and veggie paella for dinner, and chocolate crepes for dessert, a delicious and satisfying pilgrim meal for 9e. The chef cooking for the 7:00 dinner will be in the kitchen again by 6:00a.m. to prepare breakfast. Reminds me of camp cooking days.

They have a wonderful garden for relaxing and watching pilgrims arriving after a long day.

Our favourite saint, particularly as we get older is the namesake of this alburgue, St. Anthony de Padua, the patron saint of lost items. Even Chuck, the self described Catholic-in-law, owes a debt of gratitude to St. Anthony. On this trek, for example, Chuck was sure he had lost a hearing aid on the path. St. Anthony came through for him and the missing aid was recovered in the hostel room. I pointed out a collection box at the basilica in Leon dedicated to St. Anthony, where Chuck happily made a contribution.