Mooching in Toledo

Today we had the great delight of catching up with each other as we wandered peaceably up and down the mediaeval streets of Toledo. We began with a sumptuous (by Camino standards) breakfast at our little Pension - the breakfast room and balcony with a view straight into the back end of the cathedral,

We went into the cathedral to meditate after that - the non-paying and praying part, not the rather inflatedly priced tourist bits. The streets are cobbled and narrow, festooned in many places with burgundy banners, hung with beautiful lanterns and (alarmingly) with swords.

Toledo steel is a big deal so every second shop sells knives and swords (who knows how people get them home) and many suits of full body armour (just in case, I guess).

Neils needed a haircut, which led us to brave what turned out to be a hairdressers training establishment, peopled with gum chewing young apprentices, one of whom seized the clippers and took to Neil’s head with gusto. At one point, I was moved to squawk ineffectually as he seemed about to be crew cut entirely. However, the worst was averted and it looks very nice, though trim, don’t you think?

More walking the streets ensued through the Jewish quarter. The Jews were expelled from here in the late 1400s by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, who drove out the Moors at the same time. They were also responsible for sending Columbus to ‘discover’ the new world.

You know Neil can never resist a lighthouse or a bridge. This footbridge, the Puenta de San Martín was built in the 14th century. A nice view of the country on the other side of the river .

A few more views. 

And here’s one of the entrances to the University. 

Outside the El Greco museum is a modern sculpture of the 12 disciples ... make that 13!

Tonight we’re off for a celebratory paella before hitting the road for a 34km stage to Torrijos. Hopefully all four of our feet will be up to it!

Buen Camino,

Sarah and Neils