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- Sep 7, 2017
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Today was our last full day, although the delayed ferry means we will be in Northern Spain until nearly 8pm tomorrow too. We often to try a find a camp site on our last day so we can get all our washing done, and maybe spring clean the van inside. I know it sounds a bit mad, but it means when we get back to the real world and the rush of things to do, we have at least got some of the motorhome jobs done. Especially as we are taking it to get the lithium fitted next week.
We chose an ACSI site near Comillas in Cantabria, Northern Spain and it is a gem. When we got close to the site the SatNag told us to turn into a road that looked narrow but passable. While I was contemplating whether to give it a go a man rushed out of the bar opposite and told us of a better route. We do find the Spanish, thoughtful and friendly under their sometimes gruff manner.
We have a large pitch, the facilities are modern, spotless and constantly being cleaned. There is an indoor and an outdoor pool, plus a bar / restaurant that looks quite good. Despite these facilities it remains family run and is not that big. When we asked if we could stay longer than the normal departure time because the ferry is in the evening, the answer was just go when you are ready, we are not busy. There is so much sites in the UK could learn from continental approach to customers.
https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/marker.php?id=20544
What's more the sun came out.
After lunch and laundry we cycled to Comillas. It's only about 4k, however we managed to get lost and do an off road section. No problem really, because the scenery and villages are so attractive. Northern Spain takes some beating for the visuals. There was no real chance of getting lost because every time I stopped to check where we were a local immediately came over and pointed the way. I think because we were cycling the route of the Camino de Santiago.
Comillas is made up of two parts, a pretty port and the town. The port still has working fishing boats plus a few fish restaurants. There is a lovely sandy bay and the sea seemed much calmer than the west cost of Portugal.
The town was a real surprise, it is very old and has quite a few nice looking restaurants and shops. The buildings are in the Cantabrian style.
One of the reasons we chose Comillas is Gaudi's first complete architectural project is here. A house he built for his friend, the lawyer Maximo Diaz de Quijano. He had made a lot of money from his tobacco business in South America and what the museum called 'The Atlantic Trade'. A euphemism for the trade triangle of slavery. We have noticed here in Spain and in Portugal they seem quite reticent about the slave trade. At a museum in Portugal about the Portuguese navigators it took quite a while to see a reference to slavery despite the centrality of the trade to Portugals expansion in the Indies and South America.
Anyway, the house was fascinating. Outside it looked like it had been built with lego bricks faced with sunflower tiles, but the inside it is a thing of beauty. You could see how Islamic architecture coupled with nature influenced Gaudi. Enough of that waffle, here's a picture:
No updates on the ferry so fingers crossed we will just be home a little later. Last update on our wanderings tomorrow.
We chose an ACSI site near Comillas in Cantabria, Northern Spain and it is a gem. When we got close to the site the SatNag told us to turn into a road that looked narrow but passable. While I was contemplating whether to give it a go a man rushed out of the bar opposite and told us of a better route. We do find the Spanish, thoughtful and friendly under their sometimes gruff manner.
We have a large pitch, the facilities are modern, spotless and constantly being cleaned. There is an indoor and an outdoor pool, plus a bar / restaurant that looks quite good. Despite these facilities it remains family run and is not that big. When we asked if we could stay longer than the normal departure time because the ferry is in the evening, the answer was just go when you are ready, we are not busy. There is so much sites in the UK could learn from continental approach to customers.
https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/marker.php?id=20544
What's more the sun came out.
After lunch and laundry we cycled to Comillas. It's only about 4k, however we managed to get lost and do an off road section. No problem really, because the scenery and villages are so attractive. Northern Spain takes some beating for the visuals. There was no real chance of getting lost because every time I stopped to check where we were a local immediately came over and pointed the way. I think because we were cycling the route of the Camino de Santiago.
Comillas is made up of two parts, a pretty port and the town. The port still has working fishing boats plus a few fish restaurants. There is a lovely sandy bay and the sea seemed much calmer than the west cost of Portugal.
The town was a real surprise, it is very old and has quite a few nice looking restaurants and shops. The buildings are in the Cantabrian style.
One of the reasons we chose Comillas is Gaudi's first complete architectural project is here. A house he built for his friend, the lawyer Maximo Diaz de Quijano. He had made a lot of money from his tobacco business in South America and what the museum called 'The Atlantic Trade'. A euphemism for the trade triangle of slavery. We have noticed here in Spain and in Portugal they seem quite reticent about the slave trade. At a museum in Portugal about the Portuguese navigators it took quite a while to see a reference to slavery despite the centrality of the trade to Portugals expansion in the Indies and South America.
Anyway, the house was fascinating. Outside it looked like it had been built with lego bricks faced with sunflower tiles, but the inside it is a thing of beauty. You could see how Islamic architecture coupled with nature influenced Gaudi. Enough of that waffle, here's a picture:
No updates on the ferry so fingers crossed we will just be home a little later. Last update on our wanderings tomorrow.
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