Ponferrada

Once again we made a detour on our journey from León to Lugo to visit Ponferrada with its impressive castle. Sadly we couldn't visit the château as it was closed on a Monday, but we did manage to walk around the walls.

Just to prove that thistles aren't just a Scottish thing

What a fairytale castle!

The black cat was obviously bringing us good luck

Visitors and fun in the pool

As I said a couple of posts ago, Hotel Cleggifornia is up and running once again, as today's selection will show.

First off: the snazzy new airport terminal at La Rochelle

I ought to have shares in the place, the number of times Papa Taxi goes there!

Old friends Pauline & David came for a few days but had an extension on their break thanks to the French air traffic controllers! 

Kate & Silv had a week here too, with glorious weather

Silv perfecting the windswept look at our new favourite beach hut, just opposite the Baie d'Aunis campsite

La Paillote Happy Hour with Big Dave and Monique & Simon, our Dutch friends

This photo taken at 8:30pm during the recent heatwave

Cynthia & Sacha came round to cool off one afternoon

Alfie's back in town. Sacha is obviously laying down the law in the Starfish.

Who's the happiest? ME, ME, ME!

León (2)

San Isidoro de León by day...

...and an amazing light & sound show by night... 

...including their tribute...

...to the town art gallery...

...where we loved the jellyfish...

...and bird installations.

Back to the cloisters, this time at the Parador

More sculptures...

...and grand churches, this one San Juan y San Pedro Renuevaa

All capped off with a lovely bottle of red to accompany our meal at the restaurant

León (1)

We loved León, obviously helped by amazing weather.

The town walls, mostly demolished sadly...

...but put to good use at times.

In the middle of a big town...

...a lovely quiet square...

...not far from the hustle & bustle of the town.

Now which one is the pilgrim? Both had tired feet by now.

Down by the river...

...a heron, strutting its stuff.

More catch-up

Sorry for the delay: Hotel Cleggifornia has definitely kicked off for the season.

Meanwhile a catch-up of recent photos:

There's a new zip-wire on the sailing lake for those who want to practise jumps whilst riding their wakeboard 

A very confident coypu/ragondin spotted on a recent cycle-ride

A model cow reversing into the town butcher's at the end of a busy day (photo taken from the safety of the bar opposite)!

He's been away for months for who knows what reason, but look who's back: the surfer statue on the local roundabout

'Le Pavillon' is looking more and more like a bombsite, on a grey day when I took these photos

A recent guest who had to be encouraged to leave!

The heatwave has meant time lounging on the hammock with this view through the albizia tree...

...and late evening dips in the pool. Bliss...

León cathedral & cloisters

We were truly impressed by León cathedral, a huge gothic monument which has struggled in the past but stands proud and safe once more. This is the cathedral we will remember when we recall our adventures in NW Spain.

By day...

...and by night

Beautiful stained glass windows,

sculptures,

and high, high ceilings.

Clergymen on their way to work

 Meanwhile in the adjacent cloisters

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Mind-boggling!