We are starting our walk from Leon on 1st June and I have a couple of questions

[NikosP]

My autistic son and I will be doing a 300 mile charity walk for an Arts centre that helps people with special needs, mainly autistic. See this link for more info Justgiving - Nikos & Alexis Fundraising Page

Initially we planned to fly to Santiago and get the bus to Leon but Oviedo is much nearer so here is

question 1: Are there regular buses (or other transport) from Oviedo to Leon? We should be arriving at Oviedo early afternoon of Saturday 30th May and ideally would like to travel to Leon on the same day as we'll be starting our walk first thing on Monday 1st June

question 2: Do I need to book accomodation in Leon in advance?

question 3: How easy is it to get passports in time for Monday morning? Are they available during weekends as well and do I need to apply in in advance?

Any help would be much appreciated
Thank you in advance
Nikos

[Covey]

There is a coach service from Oviedo to Leon by ALSA:

ALSA - Hacemos tu viaje m?s f?cil

You need to ask at the airport information desk how to get from the airport to the main city bus station where the ALSA coach goes from.

The bus to Leon goes every 2 hours (ish) and costs ?8.30 each one way and takes approx 90 minutes.

If you are arriving at Leon on Saturday afternoon/early evening, you will need a hotel. The best way to get one is to walk up the main drag from the bus station (cross the river by the bridge and walk in a straight line for 900m until you arrive at the Cathedral. McDonald's is on the right immediately over the bridge!!!)

Directly opposite the front of the Cathedral is the tourist information office and they will steer you to a hotel., or look up Leon Hotels on the net, but if doing it on line make sure that the hotel is near the Cathedral. Some cheaper hotels are out by the University, but a long walk to the center.

Get the tourist office to mark the location of the Official Albergue on a tourist map (free) and call there around 5pm on Sunday to get a Pilgrim Passport.

On Monday morning set off on your adventure, and the best of luck with the fund raising.

Buen Camino

[NikosP]

You have given me some very useful information and thank you for that.

I really can't wait to get there. Myonly concern is perhaps walking through the mountains as I have not been able to train for that. How bad is it?

I have been doing about 100 miles / week for the last 3 months so I feel I am as fit as I can be. But of course this will go up in the 2 weeks I am there and my main concern is how much more difficult the nmountains will make it.

Do you have any links of people's experience between Leon and Santiago? Plusses and minusses, what to see and what to avoid, good and bad hotels etc.

Would I be right in assuming that I don't need to book any hotels in advance?

What about washing and laundry facilities? Are there any or is clothes washing by hand only?

What about internet access? I would like to update my sponsor's re. our progress on a regular basis, daily would be nice but perhaps I am being unrealistic

Cheers,
Nikos