I don’t think I took a single picture today until Leon. Bjorn, Julia, and I got a very late start. 8:30!We had a bite with the fathers then started walking. My app became useless a little before Caldzada del Coto because it was giving me the route through the fields. Longer and no villages. So we followed the path by the road, which is what the pilgrim map tells you to take.
We met Christina and Lukas and had a bocadillo de tortilla at a new albergue in Bercianos del Real Camino. Basically I had an omelette sandwich. We then walked to El Burgo Ranero.
Bjorn and Julia were staying in the albergue El Nogal, but I had always planned to take a taxi to León from whatever town I walked to today.
When I saw the albergue, I was glad I wasn’t staying there. I don’t know why. I didn’t really go in, but what I saw seemed clean and the woman was pleasant. I just remember thinking, “Better you than me.” The woman told me that I could get a taxi in the bar. So I went down and ordered it.
I met Bjorn and Julia on their way from getting her pack from the albergue where she’d shipped it. Julia quietly told me El Nogal gave her a bad vibe, and she also felt awkward about staying in a room alone with Bjorn. (The other albergue was full.)
So when my taxi arrived I said to Bjorn, “You’re going to behave yourself, right?” Not that I had any doubt at all, but I thought it would help Julia to hear it. Next thing I know, Julia is offering to share the taxi with me, and has put the pack she just picked up in the trunk. Neither of us could explain what was “off” about El Nogal, And both of us felt sorry for Bjorn who was stuck there. But not enough that we were willing to be stuck there also.
So now she and I are in a lovely hostel in Leon. 
She will stay till Christina arrives on Monday. I am taking either the bus or a taxi to Hospital de Orbigo, where I have a reservation at Albergue Verde for tomorrow. I’ll resume walking after that.
Speaking of walking, I met Koje. He is 75 and from Japan. He left St. Jean on June 20. That’s right, FIVE DAYS after I did. I’m being lapped by someone 22 years older than I am. Bjorn’s right. I’m drinking sake from now on.
This tree has absolutely the sweetest smelling flowers. Julia and I had a dessert. They were both awful .
I’m on the top bunk, which is usually not my preference, but I’ve got the curtain in mine drawn and it’s like my own little nest up here. Goodnight.
Travels and Adventures with Jane 