The last of Galicia and into Portugal

Better weather again today. We drove to Baiona where we walked around the castle walls with great views of the town, the ria and out to sea. Then we walked around the old town, and after lunch walked up to see the huge statue of the Virgin Mary. When I was last here you could go up inside but this time the door was locked. Then we drove south into Portugal and looked around Viana do Castela. We took a funicular up the hill, then wandered around the old town. Beautiful place, another town I remember from 1984.

On the castle walls

This is the top of the huge statue. The boat is the viewing platform

Narrow streets in Baiona

At the top of the funicular in Viana do Castelo

The main square...

...and quaint streets

Well deserved beer

Galicia in the rain

After yesterday's beautiful, sunny weather it was a surprise to wake up to rain.  Nevertheless we had a good drive around the coat visiting...this waterfall

...this medieval bridge

had a coffee at Muros (visited 35 years ago too!)

...didn't spend any time on the beach😀

Now we're in Santiago de Compostela where we looked around the Cathedral, which is being renovated so is a bit underwhelming.

Galicia in the sunshine

Malcolm eats octopus at A Coruna.  Great meal.

Lots of pretty fishing villages along the coat.  This is Corme.

The area is known for its prehistoric dolmens. Here is one that is conserved under a shelter...

... this is one in the wilds...

Here we are parked by another one

This castle is at Vimianzo, a village inland a little, where we also found a great bakery cafe for lunch.

We drove out to land's end at Cape Finisterre...

...this is the lighthouse.  35 years ago we sailed past here in fog and into the ria.  Much more to see in the sunshine.

This pretty village is Corcubion, we stayed the night at an apartment nearby.

Along the Galician coast

Yesterday was drizzly in the morning, then we drove over the mountains to A Caruna. No wifi so just quickly doing this in a cafe in Galicia. No wifi at our place tonight either so thank goodness for cafes.

This is Cudillero.

A Coruna - Tower of Hercules, Roman lighthouse.

Through the mountains

Today we drove through the mountainous National Park de los Picos. We were going to take a funicular up in one place and walk down but it wasn't operating so we didn't, just drove around admiring the view. We had lunch at Las Arenas, where we had the local cider and local food. Very nice. We're now at Gijon, staying in a room in a lovely, modern house.

This is how they pour the cider, it's a regional speciality

Lunch. That's not a burger, it's layers of meat, tomato and local cheeses. Mine is cornbread with spicy sausage (or something like that)

Basque Country

 Today we drove through the mountains and along the coat of the Basque country. Coffee stop at a fishing village called Lekeitio then back onto the motorway to Santillana del Mar where we visited the Altamira museum and cave replica. The actual cave, full of ancient cave paintings, is closed to conserve the art but they have made a reproduction cave. Santillana del Mar was a beautiful village but a bit touristy. Now we're drinking wine in our little airbnb cottage.

Lekeitio

Cave of Altimira

Santillana Del Mar