Pays Basque at the end of March

We found a week with nothing special on the calendar and the weather forecast was good for northern Spain.  Booked an AirBnB in a small town called Zumarraga in the beautiful Basque country which was great, comfortable, well equipped and a bar on the ground floor!  The bonus was that it was only 3.5 hours from home.

The walking was spectacular but was it steep!!!  Took us 5 hours to do 8 miles with appropriate stops of course.

 

 

 and yes, we did see a real eagle.

J found a nice river valley which led to the beach so cycled there, had lunch and passed a very pleasant afternoon on the sand in 29 degree sun.  C obviously cycled further!

 

 

and an easier walk the fourth day.

 

 

 Last day was cloudy but found another nice cycle route to finish the short break before stocking up on cheap Spanish booze.  May well go again!

Have started watching "Race across the world" and are getting itchy feet!

 

Lisbon part 2 (and last)

Monday we went to see the castle but it didn't seem interesting so did the cathedral and  treasures which were. On to the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) which is in an old power station with a very modern addition.  The stuff in the new bit was too wacky for us but the building was lovely.  Nearly got lost (and locked) in the old power station - great exhibits and the old generators 'n' all.

We discovered that the Portuguese School of Equestrian Arts was just up the road and you can visit all morning, watching exercises and visiting the stables, even going out for coffee and coming back in. So that was the morning sorted, then another fish lunch, the old royal palace (fabulous), royal treasures and a bit of ethnology rounded off our four days here - it's been really great.

Lisbon part 2 (and last)

Monday we went to see the castle but it didn't seem interesting so did the cathedral and  treasures which were. On to the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) which is in an old power station with a very modern addition.  The stuff in the new bit was too wacky for us but the building was lovely.  Nearly got lost (and locked) in the old power station - great exhibits and the old generators 'n' all.

We discovered that the Portuguese School of Equestrian Arts was just up the road and you can visit all morning, watching exercises and visiting the stables, even going out for coffee and coming back in. So that was the morning sorted, then another fish lunch, the old royal palace (fabulous), royal treasures and a bit of ethnology rounded off our four days here - it's been really great.

In Lisbon part 1

Decided to spend a few days in Lisbon as we'd never been there before.  Bought a VisitLisbon ticket to do the public transport and museums etc - good value!  Found a great Airbnb near Belém. Ate well, did lots of museums and that's only two days.

Last days in Northern Spain

We'd booked two nights in Leon but stopped in Lugo for lunch and a look at the Roman walls and gothic cathedral. What a pretty little town.

 Our full day in Leon was very wet, but we did the cathedral and town museum which is very informative and well worth the visit.

 Then on to Haro which claims to be the capital of the Rioja wine industry but had to stop for lunch in Burgos (also a pretty little town with a world famous cathedral) where we ate in a "private" club in an old palace!  They even gave Chris trousers as shorts were not allowed.  

Haro is smallish but pretty and we walked both days, once in the jagged limestone hills (tough) and then in the sandstone hills covered in vines with loads of grapes and people picking by hand. In the village we walked from it was fête day with a folk band.  A great end to our trip - would happily come back and buy more rioja!

Vigo

Have spent three great days catching up with Jill and Andy and being taken around to local places of interest, coast walks, archaeology, industrial archaeology together with, of course, a bit of eating and drinking.  Very interesting area.  Off to Leon now then on to rioja region.

Picos de Europa

On our way to visit Jill and Andy in Vigo we spent three nights in Arenas de Cabrales in the Picos.  Walked the Ruta del Cares, aka Gargantua de Cares, stunning mountain scenery.  They tried to build a canal for the hydroelectric plant in the 1920's and the path goes alongside the 71 tunnels. Loads of people but very enjoyable. 

  Next day what looked like an easy 11km loop from Arenas - took us 6 hours!!! Knackered!  Off to Vigo in the morning, almost looking forward to a day in the car.