10 October partly cloudy

Last evening we had dinner with two women from Perth. Both doing the Camino in parts. As they are government workers every seven years they get a three month sabbatical and a 22% bonus pay so that they …… may go home to visit the mother country, England. Long maternity, sabbaticals and a country that accepts three month to one year abscenses with full job guarantees. Nice place it seems.

Went to the cathedral and paid our entrance fee. Well worth it. Repeat, well worth it. Having seen a number of cathedrals and monasteries on this trip this one stands out. Maybe Leon and Santiago will be in the same league of “stuff” There is so much to see there – if one is interested in a lesson in medieval architecture and painting one just walks from chapel to chapel.

The cathedral started in 1024 and has been in constant addition and renovation. One walks from the 12th century to the present century chapels and works in a nice linear fashion. The quality of the stone carvings and art work is overwhelming.

For the mediavalists we have put up 37 pictures on the flickr site.
Many are details of the work. Dated 10 October and called photos 1-37. Trying out a new flickr uploader.

We lucked out with the timing. Went to noon mass. Heard the Organ, latin chants in the side censor, a very Baroque chapel larger than most of the churches we have visited. 14 priests on the dais, dressed in 5 different garbs. A formal mass.

Then off to have some tea and pastry. Found a chocalateria, a large chain in Spain. George and Bob and Libby and several other chocoholics would have loved it,

more of same chocolates on the menu

This being Sunday and a festival holiday, here, as Columbus returned to Castille in 1497 to meet and greet his patrons, it is a big wedding day. Wedding cakes in the shops.

And for those who believe we are not really here together (though this could be photoshopped) here are Boogs in front of the cathedral

And tonight, as a change from the standard fare, off to try Paella at a local restaurant.