Basque Region
A speedy five and a half hour train journey took us from Madrid to Bilbao. The tapas were now called Pinxtos which seemed more or less the same except there was more bread involved. The main reason for going to Bilbao was the Guggenheim museum which we visited that evening after our traditional siesta, brought on to some degree by our hostel being on the third floor up some steep, poorly maintained stairs.
The Guggenheim was extremely impressive both in terms of architecture, scale and at least some of the exhibits. All in all well worth the budget busting €13 each admission. We both got snap happy of the outside of the building.
The main square was a picture with the centre being used as a make shift football pitch by numerous local children in a way that would not be allowed at home. It is no wonder Spain are Euro champions producing skill and control that can dazzle defenders or at least ensure that grannies perched on benches nearby are not regularly disturbed.
The following morning we took the funicular railway to a spot overlooking the city, the views were good and we seized the opportunity to take yet more pictures of the Guggenheim.
In an exciting change to our schedule, caused partly by the forecast of soaring temperatures, we decided to stay in the Basque region and head to the upmarket beach town of San Sebastian. We initially had difficultly in finding a train and station that went there until we figured out that the Basques, like the Welsh, call their towns by different names - we actually wanted to go to Donostia.
San Sebastian was hot, and after finding our conveniently placed hostel, this time only on floor two, we headed to the beach for a pleasant late afternoon (except for one view, who would have thought nude sun bathing could be such a bad thing!)
San Sebastian is known for its food as well as its beaches. The old part of town was heaving with Pinxtos bars and lots of people. After observing the locals closely we then spent two pleasant evenings trying various gastronomic delights alongside plenty of vino tinto.
As predicted the following day the temperature soared to the high thirties which resulted in a full day on the beach. David even managed to sit still and not need entertaining for most of the time. The cooler evening provided the opportunity for a walk around the large crescent shaped beach and a trip on another funicular up to the top of Monte Igeldo which gave great views over the town.
Next onto France; first Bordeaux and then Lyon (in a further change to our original plans - we're starting to get the hang of this unplanned thing).
(No abridged version from David this time, he's even got bored of doing that!)