Long day, did about 40 km and only stopped in a village called Rabanal de Camino because it was threatening rain at 3 pm and I didn't want to drown and swim for two days in a row. At this stage, Im sure my lap times in the pool have improved.
I left in the dark and was through Astorga by 11 am and on to the Way towards the Montes de Leon, the mountains I have to take on tomorrow.

The bridge over the river Orbigo in the village of Hospital de Orbigo.

Astorga is a great little town with tons of history. I knew of a building designed by Gaudi. The term" thats looks Gaudi". Stems from his architectural genius. Gaudi designed the most spectacular church in Europe, the La Grada Famiglia in Barcelona, he never put his designs onto paper and kept them in his head, one day when inspecting the Famiglia in Barcelona, he stepped back off the curb to get a better perspective, was run over by a horse and buggy and killed. It took decades to find someone who could duplicate his thinking, and continue the build of the LA Grada Famiglia, which I don't think will be finished until 2050 or there abouts. Well I knew he had designed a building here too, and I set out to find it.

Wasn't too hard, its right next to the cathedral, yay

The Palacio Episcopal was built in 1893 as a home for the bishop Grau, it appears he never actually lived in this building, since 1963 it has been a museum.

It had an almost Disney look to it

The Cathedral de Santa Maria, built in the 16 th century dominates the town square, but was closed ,so I couldn't get in.

leaving Astorga I came across the Ermita de Ecce Homo church, the last remains of an old pilgrim hospital from the 15 the century. I stopped to go in and light a candle, rested awhile and then drank from the fountain of faith and health, I figured I could use the help today and tomorrow, and maybe the next day.

There were some interesting bronzes on trail today, depicting pilgrims on the Way

                                       this one actually drank when I drank.

Coming into Rabanal I saw the church that was built by the Knights Template who used this village as an outpost in the 13 the century, to protect pilgrims from the bandits, and wolves of all things.

this was the Way today, as I worked my way towards the Mountains of Leon and the Cruz de Fero. I cross those mountains in the distance  tomorrow at 1500 ft, before reaching the Cruz, at ,I hope, about 8 am,which will be a highlight for me. 

 Praying for no rain tomorrow, I just realized ssssssssssssshoot, I forgot my towel at the last albergue