A day late, but home again

We were caught in the traffic hold up on the A34 so diverted to a CCC site just outside Oxford for the night. The total holiday was 3078 miles of which 2770 were in France and Spain. A very successful holiday with lots oh highlights from snow balls in the Picos to pilgrims at Santiago to storks in Rioja, not to mention the Normandy beaches.

Pride of Bilbao home

We sailed back on the Pride of Bilbao trying to spot whales and dolphins.

We arrived early after a 1 1/4hrs drive and passed some of the the time chatting to a French couple. We treated ourselves to a club cabin which lived up to expectations with TV etc. I saw some dolphins from the cabin windows and more sea life later including a sea otter from the observation deck. The flat sea turned into a swell and white horses appeared. We had a doze before enjoying a good quality carvery.

It became a rather bumpy disturbed night but eventually fell asleep and awoke to thick fog and flat calm again. The club tickets included a rather splendid breakfast in the four seasons carvery, kidneys included. By the time we had duty free shopped and tested champagne in the posh lounge, it was time to strip the cabin of toiletries and fruit basket ready to disembark.

Return to Playa Joel

Our last site was the same as the first the relaxing site of Playa Joel near Noja. Its only a short drive to Bilbao for the return trip and we spent the last couple of days topping up the tan and paddling.

We were told it was possible to wade over to the neighbouring resort of Isla at low tide, so we did. Rosemary got her knickers wet in the process but it was a nice afternoon all the same and we return without further incidents.  

Guggenheim Museum

We called in to Bilbao to check where the ferry terminal is located and to look at the city's main tourist attraction which is the Guggenheim Museum. The city is also the biggest place on the north coast with a large sprawling port and industrial area. The motorway bypasses the main commercial areas for travellers heading along the north coast and it did not seem an attractive place.

The museum is a very modern construction in stainless steel and looks a bit like a whale. We looked around the outside with its huge floral displays, which was interesting enough, but did not go in the museum as it was rather expensive and we were short of time. Its a popular location for wedding photographs.  

Rioja country

After a fairly monotonous drive across the featureless plateau from Lugos to Burgos xxxx we descended into the Rioja wine growing area and headed for the capital Haro.  An open rather regimented site this but it did sell good cheap boxes of local wine at reception and was walking distance into the centre of town.

Santiago de Compostella

We walked into town along the last 2km of the pilgrim route. Rosemarys toes bled, was it a sign? We bought some plasters, the bleeding stopped, surely a miracle. But seriously its a humbling experience to mix with true pilgrims who have walked or cycled hundreds of miles just to be here.

We stopped at Igleas san Martin, on the route, amazing altars, too much to take in. Then we finally came upon the cathedral, its enormous as is the square . There was a long queue to go and kiss St James statue, we humbly joined. We encountered  a large group of Irish pilgrims who had walked 300km for an MS charity!

Had some lunch on the edge square under a large umbrella, it was hot. Pimentos de Padron and chiperones with a glass of cool white wine. Memorable day!

We left the site at 3:30 and drove 130 miles through Lugos until we found a place to stop at VillaFranca. Another miracle it was 8:30. The little van was sweating on the hills as it was chased by enormous articulated lorries.

Fossil Hunting at Collunga.

We stopped at a beach site where there are fossilized dinosaur tracks in the rocks along the beach. Well maybe there are but we struggled to find them.

It was very hot and we set off without any water, big mistake as we walked about 5 miles. Very interesting houses along the coast built on stilts keep animals and grain below.

Spanish arrived on site to set up for the weekend. Very limited hot water and facilities for the price but its location, location, location! Had a coffee in a hotel overlooking the beach.