Day Twenty-three - Hospital De Orbigo to Astorga - 16km

The walk today seemed longer than 16km, probably due to the heat (about 28 degrees) and the delicate stomachs that we seem to have both discovered - a legacy of too much rich food probably. The landscape is now changing from the flatness of the Meseta to a more hilly terrain as we get ready to start to climb the Montes de Leon in the next couple of days at about 5000 feet high. 

Tonight we are staying in the small city of Astorga. We visited the magnificent Gaudi designed Bishop's Palace and had a non pork dinner alfresco in the central square.

We will be making an earlier start tomorrow due to the expected temperature and the 28km climb to Foncebadon.

Cows in a fields just outside Santibanez de Valdeiglesia

and further on some small calves.

I love cows, moooo!

We have no idea at all what all this was about!

Today we had some ups - the first ups for a while.

but if you look into the distance bigger ups are to come!

This man has set up a very welcome drink stall.

Daisies and cornflowers.

Cruceiro Santo Toribio
and some more views of the mountains we have to climb!

The approach to Astorga.

Overly complicated footbridge bridge - just what we needed!
Reminded us of the bridge on the game "mousetrap"

Typical building in Astorga

Clock in town square with automaton people that ring the bell

I added some weight to my backpack

Gaudi's Bishop's Palace

Typical Gaudi arches

Various images from inside the art nouveau Palace

Finding a geocache.............
I don't think anyone noticed!