July 8, 2019 – We had a great time partying in Pamplona, but it was time to move on down the road to our next stop. Wayne briefly contemplated if he was going to get up again to run with the bulls, but we were both so tired and needed the rest. It is cooler today and we had rain overnight, which is nice for a change. It has been pretty hot in Pamplona so the change is welcome.
We were on the road and headed west by 10 am and stopped to get gas early on. I really needed some coffee so I did what everyone does… I picked myself up a café con leche (coffee with milk) from a gas station coffee machine. You know those ones were the cup drops down and dispenses that lovely brown liquid? Wayne decided to pass, but I really needed some caffeine. Surprisingly enough, it was so darn good! It really and truly rivaled Starbucks and I am not kidding. The price was right at 0.60-euro cents. Total bargain!
We were both so tired as we drove along that we decided to stop for a quick siesta. There was a small parking lot next to a gas station so we parked and took a very quick cat-nap. After, I ran into the gas station to grab Wayne an espresso from another coffee machine and we were refreshed and back on road to León . When we arrived, we got lucky again and found a free parking spot.
León is an ancient city. It was founded as the military encampment of the Legio Vi Vitrix around 29 BC. It was later depopulated after the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, but was revived when it was added to the Kingdom of Asturias in 910. Then came the beginning of one its most prominent historical periods, when it became the capital of the Kingdom of León, which took active part in the Reconquista against the Moors, and came to be one of the fundamental kingdoms of medieval Spain.
León, is on the Bernesga River in northwest Spain and is the capital of the Province of León. It’s home to many churches and cathedrals noted for their architecture and art. Among them is the Gothic 13th-century Catedral de Léon, with its towers and flying buttresses. The Romanesque 10th-century Basílica de San Isidoro is known for its frescoes and royal tombs.
Wayne was starting to feel sick with some stomach issues so when we got to León, he rested before work. Exploring León would have to wait… I went out to get some grocery store prepared food (we have no kitchen in this room). I got us pasta, meatballs and a salad.
I worked on the blog and other things while Wayne worked. I noticed that neither one of us took any pictures today…. SORRY! We were both pretty tired from all of the Pamplona excitement. Stay tuned for more blogs and pics to come!