Abacist goes to Spain

[Abacist]

We also had a hair raising journey along the cliff top road towards Bilbao trying to find a stop for the night but still all full or closed. At one stage down by the sea we had a large wave cover the windscreen momentarily blinding us! M having kittens at the very narrow, hairpin bendy, cliff road, threatening to never come motorhoming again! Didn’t get fixed up until 20:30 having arrived at San Seb at 16:30!

 

[Abacist]

Eventually found a space in a nice quiet village with an international bird airport! Like Slimbridge wildfowl trust that evidently has Ospreys nesting! Going for a look later! One Farmacia, 2 bars and a hairdresser is the extent of conveniences. About 6Kms from Guernica, bombed flat by Germans and Italians in civil war and commemorated in Picasso’s famous painting

 

[Abacist]

The aire and the view, complete with Basque claim for independence written on the silage bales!

 

[Abacist]

A few nice local houses

 

[busby]

We travelled up to San SEBASTIAN but lucked out on finding anywhere to stay overnight as all full. Spanish guy suggested an alternative and took us on a nightmare journey down tiny residential streets to a dead end with no free places so gave up on San Seb!

Will be busy as tue is a Bank Holiday all over Spain. BUSBY.

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[Abacist]

Will be busy as tue is a Bank Holiday all over Spain. BUSBY.

Many thanks for that - didn’t know! Explains how busy everywhere is and forecast for next week is full sun!

 

[busby]

Many thanks for that - didn’t know! Explains how busy everywhere is and forecast for next week is full sun!

Got a double whammy here,it's Valencia public holiday today and then the national one on tue.Still some great live music in town,,BUSBY.

 

[Abacist]

Got a double whammy here,it's Valencia public holiday today and then the national one on tue.Still some great live music in town,,BUSBY.

Remember being there when there were massive firework BANGS all night long!

 

[Flairy]

Most enjoyable great pictures never been to Portugal only spain looks very nice thankyou.

 

[busby]

Remember being there when there were massive firework BANGS all night long!

That's Spain,,never keeps me awake,,Spanish Brandy makes me sleep well.BUSBY

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[jumartoo]

It'll most likely be a bridging day on Monday, even if its not a local fiesta.

Be prepared for fiestas until late on Tuesday.

(We're having a mini trip in Murcia from Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Not risking the holiday).

 

[Abacist]

Urdaibai international airport for migrating birds - a wetland sanctuary sort of halfway on their route to/from Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and even Canada to/from sub Saharan Africa where they winter. They have had breeding pair of Ospreys this year. Lovely centre with loads of high quality telescopes to view the birds.

 

[Abacist]

Urdaibai bird centre

 

[Brendan + Kath]

Struggling to keep up with your travels.

Chipiona aire has been open for at least 4 years, possibly more. The car park next to it used to allow wild camping then later charged 5 euros a day in high season. I don't think I've ever seen any vans in the aire, but it might be different now because the car park has a height barrier.

 

[bigtree]

Chipiona aire has been open for at least 4 years, possibly more. The car park next to it used to allow wild camping then later charged 5 euros a day in high season. I don't think I've ever seen any vans in the aire, but it might be different now because the car park has a height barrier.

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[Abacist]

We are now at the aire at Zamudio, not far from Bilbao. The plan is to get a train in to Bilbao tomorrow and then the Guggenheim on Tuesday and then close to Santander on Wednesday ready for the ferry on Thursday.

 

[Abacist]

The train station is on the main road right above the aire - a 10 minute walk. Trains very frequent and less than €2 each to get to near the Guggenheim, Furnicular Railway and modern

footbridge.

 

[Abacist]

We also popped up the Furnicular Railway

 

[Abacist]

Lunch at the Guggenheim Bistro

 

[Abacist]

My Pintxos were Anchovy and ratatouille, egg mayonnaise and prawn, and a mushroom & tortilla pate. M’s salad was chicken, pasta, cheese, olives, mixed leaves and dressing. The puds were hazelnut and apple financier and a chocolate & hazelnut fondant. Both lovely!

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[Brendan + Kath]

We've been past four times, in both directions, in the last two years and we've still not been. Reviews were that it was rammed in August so we bypassed it.

One day ...

We've stayed twice but avoid it in the summer as they request no camping behaviour. I think it's owned by the private safari park so we respect this, but not nice to stay in the van when it's hot. Nevertheless it's a great spot.

 

[Abacist]

We have been into Bilbao again today although more central. Pics later

 

[Abacist]

We took the train to Casio Viejo which is the medieval quarter formed from the 7 original streets of the city where all the shops were. We then went to Plaza Nuevo, built in 1831, for

coffee and cake!

 

[Abacist]

We then had a walk about and found ourselves at the old market, now converted to a central eatery surrounded by Pintxos bars.

 

[Abacist]

Bilbao is old with streets, alleyways and buildings to match with new built on top of old for extra floors!

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[Abacist]

A Basque Demonstration parade for independence carrying wooden replica guns!

 

[Abacist]

The setting for lunch in the ancient basement of a taverna in the Plaza Nueva

 

[Abacist]

We passed the Bilbao cemetery in the the train on the way back - both huge and impressive!

 

[Abacist]

We have been very naughty - second cake of the day - half each!

 

[Jandek]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching your travels. Given us lots of ideas for next spring when we hope to set off. Thank you for sharing .

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