Bilbao

Bilbao has been good, better than expected. We came to see the Guggenheim, but found there is a lot more to see.

The Guggenheim was built for about $100 million, would have to be one of the bargains of the century.  The cladding is titanium, 0.5mm thick. You can actually feel it at the bottom of the cladding, it's almost like alfoil.

Looking from inside to out, a different perspective.

A very interesting bridge, 120 years old, and had the cables replaced in 1941!! Takes only a minute to cross, carries about 6 cars, along with people and bikes. Unusual construction, part girder and part suspension. Probably built that way to allow access to the tall ships of a century ago, and without the technology to construct the approach structures required. Anyway, great to see it still in service.

Wonder what it's like on a windy day?

They don't make em like they used to! The unsupported, giving support, ha ha

Don't make rotundas like they used to either. Would be great to play here. It's art deco, glass, water feature, and a cafe beneath.

This pedestrian bridge is extremely elegant, lovely steps and ramps leading up to it. It's curved in two planes, very unique.

We took a drive to the coast, and Gurnika. The coast is very rugged and spectacular; Gurnika is an uninteresting crowded concrete town, I was hoping for something a little more traditional. Probably that way because of it's history.

Tomorrow we head off towards Paris. We are spending two days in Bergerac (could there be a bike ride in the Dordogne?? Wouldn't it be....loverly), and the final positioning night in Orleans.

Good night!

Restricted Post: Consenting Bike Addicts Only

Nothing outstanding here, just some pics that you might enjoy:

Sunday Pack; spot the odd man out. Granada

Folding bikes are very very popular here, mostly 20inch wheels, saw a couple of Bromptons (serious little wheelers, and one Friday). In Seville, two bike companies were offering free delivery to the hotel, I think that's how they do it-with folders. I'd say, in urban Spain, about half all bikes would be 20 inch wheels.

Every town has very good bike lanes. This is one of  two (one either side), on the main bridge in Seville. After all the superb tracks I've seen in Spain and Portugal, I don't think it's too much to ask for a little better access in Hobart.

Small wheels, and small legs, again in Seville. He's riding between the tram tracks, and quite fast too.

Common to see bikes on the balcony. This one had nice colours.

Beautiful bike track in Porto.

This old chap has just completed the Camino, at Santiago. Bikes have to do 200km minimum, instead of 100 km walk, to qualify. Most tourers here are on mtb's.

A gentleman of some years, utilising one of the great tracks around Bilbao. Notice he's wearing the team jersey and nicks!!

Bilbao community hire bikes.

Bunch of nice young lads out for a ride. Could be anywhere in Oz.

Bit hard to pedal this one. Hope someone puts a couple of wheels back on it.

Bike wheeled folder. 

This is on display at the Picasso Gallery, at the Guggenheim. It's by Picasso, titled Bull's Head, with the description of sculpture in iron. It is exactly what it looks like, an old leather saddle with a rusty set of handlebars. You can have your own Picasso for just 10 min in the shed.

I've just realised all the pics are of males. There are heaps of girls and ladies on bikes, some for exercise, many for local transport.

Foodie Special Edition

This post is for Zoe, Michael, Michael, Sandy, Pete, Peter, Celia and all the rest of us who love our food...

First Spanish beer...not bad

Street food market in Granada, fressshhh.....

Lovely stuffed courgettes, the filling was a mild seafood creation, very nice.

This is pretty common in southern Spain, aubergines with honey, again, a winner.

Not what it seems, but chocolate olives.. different, and at least, not salty

This was the main course of a family run village restaurant in Portugal. It's mutton, with a soup and bread broth, with potatoes. Very tasty, and tender mutton.

 Creme caramel, baked in a dish, and served in....

Slices. Lovely, not too sweet. Never seen creme caramel served like this before, but it's good

Here is the village restaurant. All linen, no paper napkins or tablecloths, the meal of two courses for two, a couple of drinks, about 20 euro. The fruit salad was freshly home made, yum. Like the boar's head on the wall?

Very good appetiser in Porto, octopus grilled, with onion and parsley. We both loved it.

 Local traditional meal, grilled sea bass, veges and spuds. Simple, but tasty and nutritious

 To finish off.....

The unique green wine. Think it's a bit of a gimmick, but had to try it

Ah, Spain, meat lovers paradise.

Think this was a halal shop, can't remember. Porkies from Heaven

We've had some great food experiences. Of course, some ordinary ones also, but it's good fun to try the local offerings.

The Green Coast

We drove from to Santiago to Gijon, then on to Bilbao, through the regions of Asturias and Cantabria. The country is very different here, green, mountainous, and generally sparcely populated, which is why it's know as...The Green Coast!. The Picos de Europa are spectacular, even from the distance of the highway, and with plenty of snow. I'm hoping to return here, and spend a lot more time being active. The coast is very scenic as well.
If I had to live in Spain, this area would probably be my choice.

This is a pretty common farm dwelling in Asturias, on the western end of the coast. It is reasonably flat on the coast, could almost be Ireland, or places like Bridport in Tas. Many of the houses have these appendages, obviously for storage, but they are quite unique to this area.

Sorry about the poor quality; some of the great scenery east of Gijon. Looking south, to the right of here, the Picos de Europa can be seen, very attractive with snow covering. If you're interested, it's worth googling. Plenty of scope for walking, climbing, biking.

The 700km mystery sound: After a picnic lunch of local smoked cheese, black tomatoes, and baguette, I had to stop the car twice, after hearing a tapping noise somewhere down the back-turned out to be this tough little teabag. The string had become caught in the taillight moulding, and would flap around in the slipstream. Discovered the cause at the next day's break.

Saw a fair few walkers doing the Camino de Santiago. With the background of the Picos de Europa, I thought, maybe it wouldn't be a bad walk after all. Then I read the following blog:

http://francistapon.com/Travels/Spain-Trails/10-Reasons-Why-El-Camino-Santiago-Sucks

Confirms my suspicions, but I think it would still suit some people, if not only for the social aspect. We have settled in to probably the best hotel of the trip, the Sercotel Coliseo, in Bilbao; very modern, stylish, spacious, good wifi, and very central. There have been others with more character, but this one is hard to fault.

Sorry for too much talk and few pics, I'll improve, promise. Tomorrow, off to the Guggenheim.

Weekend bonus:

Today's mystery object. Neatest correct entry wins a prize!

Next post preview, War of the Worlds?? Stay tuned!

Santiago

Back in Spain, almost like coming home. Santiago, because it was described at the most beautiful town in Spain. It is all very old and original, but for my money Toledo and Segovia were equal or better. Santiago is the destination of the pilgrimage, it has the huge cathedral, lots of old buildings, and many walkers from many nations exuding that unique air of satisfaction one gets after the Overland walk, or a long bike tour. I think I'd prefer to do one of the grande randonee routes of France, but it's good to see people out getting some exercise, and supporting the various communities.

Pretty typical view of the ancient streets.

The caped choristers, they were really good; great playing, and very good harmony.

Now, this is a real tapas bar, al fresco. I'll have what he's having!

They don't make them like they used to....couldn't find my size. Haven't seen these in the streets of Hobart Town lately.

Not too sure if this was a tapa, or a light lunch. At this place, you buy your food raw in the marvelous old stone market, then have it cooked while you wait, for just a few pence. Octopus, and a very nice white.

Last one, I call this "Old Cast Iron Downpipe on Old Rock Wall, in Late Afternoon Light". There are many things of interest to see here.

Tomorrow, we are continuing on to Gijon, just an overnight stop before Bilbao.

To be continued........

Porto, home of....Port!

We enjoyed Lisboa, but not too unhappy to head north. The country side is beautiful, olives, gum trees, market gardens, really lovely drive. Porto had a good feel as soon as we arrived. It's very hilly, lots of old run down buildings, narrow streets, a great river, and beaches nearby.

At last, I found cavaquinhos, the instrument that spawned the ukulele. The uke is a direct rip off of this traditional Portuguese instrument, also found all over South America, known as quatros.

Economic crisis: plenty of these in the streets......

plenty of these in the streets....

and quite a few of these. Endemic to Europe, I think, I call them dog people. They beg for money to support the dogs they submit to this unique form of abuse. Surely dysfunctional, I don't get it. I'm just a simple mind, I'm afraid.

 Now, for something happier, the fabulous river of Porto, the Douro. The bridge is interesting, the arch supports the top deck, which takes trains, then there is a lower deck for road traffic, suspended beneath.

Beautiful old shops, some of these take me right back to the 50's.

And, on a clear day you can see New York, honest! A few sun lovers, and many elegantly dressed retired gentlemen, fishing with their long rods.

We had a fabulous dinner last night, at a good quality Portuguese restaurant. We tried the unique green wine (it's really a particular type of white, quite in your face, but good to try), and finished off with a port, what else?

I'm planning to publish a food post later, when I have the time and connection. We've had a good time in Porto, tomorrow, back to Spain, and on to Santiago.