In Obidos, Portugal

After two nights in Lariño, we drove today from Costa da Morte (in Galicia, Spain) named the Coast of Death because of all the ship wrecks. The coast itself is beautiful despite its name, although I am sure that the area and ocean are grim in storms, especially in the winter. We are staying in Obidos (Portugal) tonight, and will spend the last night or two nights in Lisbon. We fly to Austin Wednesday 27Jun07 and arrive at night. This has been a wonderful trip but now we can´t wait to get home. We miss you all.

The Road Less Traveled

In Spain: We traveled yesterday on the centuries old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral was most imposing and inspires great reverence. Then we drove to the north shore of the northernmost ria (estuary) above Pontevedra in Galicia. Pushing on beyond Muros towards Finisterre (land´s end), we found an apartment to rent just outside Lariño and will stay a few nights. There are few places in the world, I think, where one can stay on a clean beach with few people. Last night it did not get dark until 11 pm. Follow the latitude from this area to North America and see where it takes you. This morning we walked on the beach at 10 am and we were the only people on the beach. It is also safe to walk here, whereas in many remote areas it is not. The sun is out! We have not had many sunny days on this trip, but have enjoyed ourselves very much nonetheless. We were told that there was no internet access in Muros by several people this morning but, being persistent with our inquiries, we found a place on a little side street.

On the Road

We cannot always get into our email on these public computers, as is the case today and which is annoying. Our circuitous, spontaneous route in Spain has been: overnight in Vitoria > medieval Frias on the Ebro River (we went on a wild search for a covered bridge) and also found a medieval town and a nuclear plant > overnight in Astorga with Gaudi palace > Ponferrada with Templar Fort > through Galicia mountains with lunch in Sarria (if you can find it on a map) > Portomarin on the Miño River where we are spending the night in a Posada for Santiago de Compostelas pilgrims. The scenery is beautiful and we have stopped in interesting small towns and hamlets. We see many hikers and cyclists. All is well until I can post more detail.

Vitoria / Gasteiz, Spain

We spent last night in the capital of Basque Country. There is a medieval walled city in its center that is interesting. Peaches are in season--fresh, perfectly ripe, and dripping with juice. We bought some last night and have eaten them all. This morning we head west...

Uh-oh! Wanderlust

Wanderlust is setting in again. We may leave Montagrier early to wander back through Spain and Portugal. We will turn in our car and catch our flight home on the scheduled date in Lisbon.

Les Escargots

These little guys are fresh! They are just looking for butter; garlic, parsley--and a crunchy baguette.

*****Suzette raced along in her green VW, sporting a big S on each side. Nigel exclaimed, "Wow! Look at that S car go!"

Crustacean Alert

Bilbao, Basques and Portugalete

The Biscay Bridge - A bridge with a history

We are in Basque country. Bilbao is very interesting; the people are well-dressed and friendly. We traveled by metro to see a UNESCO designated bridge. It is high enough to have allowed tall-masted sailing ships. We crossed the river in this hanging car and people "ferry". Alberto Palacio, a local architect and disciple of Gustave Eiffel (remember the Eiffel Tower?) designed it. The Biscay Bridge was the first in the world to transport passengers on a hanging gondola.

We leave Bilbao in the morning for France.

Bilbao, Spain

Last night we stayed in the medieval village of Santillana del Mar and this morning we visited the Altamira Caves with replicas and a museum of the prehistoric cave paintings.

This afternoon we arrived in Bilbao, in Basque country. We are off to visit the Guggenheim Museum. Our friends will go their separate ways from here. Glen and I will leave Saturday, May 26 for our house in Montagrier, France.

Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

We arrived in Pontevedra yesterday evening. The dialect spoken here is Gallego, which is like a mixture of Spanish and Portuguese. We are with friends, two other couples, who all lived in Brazil and speak Portuguese and Spanish, so we are having fun with the language. This is the city of the great mariners of Spain and is very interesting. Glen finds communication here easy.