Dear Mum, family and friends,

We're used to a reflective pace so imagine us hurtling along the motorway at 160kms an hour this morning in a sewing machine. It wasn't an emergency, just an enthusiastic taxi driver.

We left Villalcazar de Sirga before dawn to walk to Carrion de Los Condes intending to catch a bus into Leon. The bus was full and our taxi friend offered to take us.

So we fast-forwarded over the Meseta leaving sunflowers behind for corn, hay, pines and harrowed fields. The soil changed from custard cream, to aubergine, to caramel, to cafe-au-lait. For the first time we saw cattle in a field and a herd of cows at milking.

Leon is a big city. We arrived with the rain and found accommodation for two nights then walked from one end of the city to the other in search of a medical clinic. I have a red pathway and swelling moving up my leg from the ankle - so needed to get it checked out. The first clinic we were directed to was not in the zone of our accommodation and so we had retrace our path to the other side of the city. I now have antibiotics to deal with an infection in my leg. We didn't have to wait long to see the doctor and after prescribing the pills said that I could keep walking.  Although I didn't have to pay then I suspect they'll send the bill home to await me there. 

Tomorrow we're sightseeing in Leon. There's a Gaudi building we'd like to see among other things. Our feet will appreciate a pack-free day!

Love to you all.  We think of you often on the way.