Roh was awake early and off for a run the few kilometres to the next much larger town of Bermeo, apparently witnessing a pretty spectacular sunrise.
Once he was back we all strolled into town as the locals were in full swing cleaning up after last nights festivities. The boys braved the water for a swim ... the water temperature seemed pleasant enough but outside was too brisk for me! The walk back along the old wall bordering the rocky waters edge , looking back at the town and the old churches was beautiful. After a leisurely brekkie we packed and prepared for the day. Roh went for walk while we grabbed a baguette for lunch and walked to the hotel where our car was parked overnight (organised by our host). We were on the road again by about 1130 but no motorway - winding quite narrow roads past the large centre of
Bermeo then on to Bakio. All so picturesque. Steep rolling green hills falling straight into the ocean. Bakio was only 15kms away - a much bigger centre than we anticipated - and without too much trouble we parked and found “La Parra”.... the hostel/bar and restaurant owned and operated by Ibon and Kim (good friends of our friends Paul & Kate O’Brien)! Even though strangers to us was a lovely experience - and the coffee was excellent too!
They talked us into detouring into Bilbao ... was only about 25 minute drive via motorway and easy enough to find the central plaza area of the old town and park. Yet another very interesting old town to wander around after our baguette and ham and cheese.
We didn’t have long to spare before off on the three hour motorway trip to Oviedo. We did get bamboozled a couple of times trying to negotiate around the outskirts of Bilbao...frustration did rise and a couple of minor unnecessary tolls were incurred ... but all good in the end. Raymo is actually a legend ... he does so
well as it is very confusing at times!
The drive was amazing considering all motorway - so much hugs the coastline. And the towns are high rise metropolises .... everywhere is concentrated high rise living. Not unusual to come around a mountain to a vista of an inlet area and there’s a version of a mini Gold Coast! Incredible! And the motorways themselves are awesome feasts of engineering ingenuity- bridges, viaducts, tunnels... !
Just after 5.30pm (after only a brief motorway roadhouse stop) we found our way (thank God for GPS!) to our Oviedo apartment for the night. We didn’t have to wait too long after contacting our host to “check in “ and send Raymo off to find nearby parking. Gorgeous apartment- so comfy.
Chilled while we organised tomorrow and Roh sourced dinner options then headed off on foot towards the old town area. First one proved ok for a drink and Pintxos ....but Roh found what he wanted at “La Cabana” next door ...Asturias Fabada (a local speciality). He and Raymo
loved it... a stew of white beans and various sausages (certainly not my choice!)
We’ve come across another interesting local quirk.... cider! Not just the drinking of but how they drink it! The waiter pours from a precarious height but only a small amount - which is consumed in one mouthful!
And, of course, the soccer was on....and Germany beat Sweden on the bell!
Another great night to end a top day!