5/12 I Guess We're All Just Walking Each Other Home

We lost our navigator, but Polly and I managed to get through Léon without our friend Francine and follow the yellow arrows without a hitch.  I liked Léon very much for a big city, the history is rich, but today's walk was along a highway...noisy and not very pretty.  About the time we were on the edge of town, when most of what I saw was manufacturing businesses and warehouses, we came across a small stand where a friendly fellow was offering coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, fruit, muffins, and thankfully, a banō.  Great stop.  We separated from there and Polly, as she always does, disappeared in the distance.  She reminds me of Emmy...just a wiry little thing, but fast and engaging in conversation with everyone who comes her way.  She likes corn nuts and isn't afraid to give you her opinion.  I figure she is the ace in my hand...she'll get to our destination before the albergue even opens and we will be in the short queue for a bed.  You do not want to hear "Completo" from the albergue...it means you have to find other sleeping arrangements, sometimes walking to the next town.

My ankle is better.  I took another round of ibuprofen last night before I went to bed and the swelling was minimal this morning.  I think my gait was normal and the trekking poles helped a lot too.

We keep seeing these little "hobbit" houses built into the ground, with little doors and windows and even chimneys.  I am guessing it is a somewhat efficient structure temperature-wise, keeping things warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but I'm not really sure.

There wasn't a lot to take pictures of today...I have been absolutely spoiled by the beauty of Spain.  Early in the morning I can hear the birds more than I can see them.  Their trills and calls seem complicated to me...more complicated than the red wing blackbirds and kingfishers back home.  But I try to mimic their calls to get them to answer and follow me...and sometimes...it works.

We are in Villadangas del Paramo at a donativo albergue.  The volunteer in charge is Raymundo and he seems very nice, very helpful.  The building was used as a school but has been rennovated...very nicely, I might add.  Tomorrow...Astorga and the Gaudi church.  My daughter Katy gave me a few great songs for my playlist on this trip.  I love the words to today's song..."I guess we're all just walkin' each other home."