Day 18 - 45.4km - Bercianos to Leon

Not having bunk beds is heaven. We had a private twin room last night and being able to wake up and get organised on your own bed rather than a bunk 5feet in the air is heaven. We are aiming to do more private rooms moving forward, though still in the albergues. It tends to cost around 30-35 euros for two, where the bunks in shared rooms costs 12-15. It is more than worth the few extra euros to not share a room with rude Brazilians or shouty Italians!

So we woke up much more refreshed and ready for the cycle into Leon. It's a long roadside Senda most of the way, with little of interest. Walking this would be around 10 hours or more worth of walking. We left at almost 8 o clock after a coffee. We powered through the first stretch arriving in mansilla de las mulas, the usual pilgrim stop and our designated brunch location before 9.30. the pharmacy and shops all closed until then. Over 26km smashed with a few rest stops in around 90minutes. It was a small town with little to see (except a statue of Saint James whose footsteps we follow in) and so we decided to push on. The road remained dull and straight and so we arrived at our hotel after a gentle amble through the city before 12. The friendly receptionist found us a clean room and we checked in.

Leon is a big city and probably the nicest so far on our travels, so we had an explore and found a barber, making ourselves look pretty again! We meandered the streets, passed a Gaudi building and wandered around the cathedral.

A number of our previous companions are here as we have now caught them all up, including our first friend, Vince! He has new shoes and a new bag and has dipped into savings to increas his budget, which seems to make his journey much more enjoyable! It was a great hour catching up and sharing Camino stories. I then had to leave as I had the spa at the hotel booked. It turned out I had the whole thermal circuit to myself for 90 minutes. Pure bliss!

Nik and I nipped out for dinner and are sat at an Asian street food restaurant waiting for Pad Thai and Udon for dinner. Should be great.

Relax and unwind pilgrims. Only one more day of cycling then we are back on our feet!