back route through to Espellete then over the Pyrenees to Spain

 Left Cauterets first thing in the morning with the mist still hovering over the river. Fairly quick drive takes us through the centre of Lourdes, which at 9am is heaving, both with cars and foot traffic.

 Take the back road towards Espelette, up to the Venta to stock up on wine and spirits. Mainly for friends in Chalais and also our neighbours back in Scotland.

Boot of the car stocked up we head first to Pamplona through mile after mile of tunnels.
Fortunately skirt round the city, looking at how they seem to play dodgems with their cars. Most of which seem to have their badge of honour emblazoned on the side. Odd dent here, front light hanging loose, bumper crumpled.

Temperature is well over 30 degrees. Good job we have the aircon. Before we know it we are heading over mountains, through valleys and then up and over again with fantastic views of craggy mountains on the skyline.

 

Then over towards the coast and the massive sprawling metropolis of Bilbao with its chemical factories bellowing fumes into the gloriously blue skys.

Hug the coast and head south towards Santander, although the smell of sulphur still seems to be floating in the air.

Its not long before we can eject ourselves from the motorway and slow it down and appreciate the countryside. Then we enter the tall rise ghost town of NOJA home of the building boom of apartments. 90% of which are empty.

But the camp site is great and our tent is virtually on the magnificent beach. 

Market day seems to bring out the few locals and the odd tourist. Say odd tourist, there are nearly 1000 families on our site. So l am sure they must head in to the centre now and again. But being September, most of the shops, bars and restaurants close down midweek, only opening up at the weekend.

 

Luckily, there is a real town just down the road. SANTONA, with its fishing port, famous for its Tuna, Bull ring, Napoleonic military forts and a glorious promenade.And a massive Prison on the outskrts.

View over the estuary to another popular resort

Fortifications look out to sea

as does the Madonna. Not sure what those two things are below.

They have a free fete on Saturday night. All the locals were out to peel potatoes.

 

Headed through the squares down to the promenade and then to the fortifications at the furthest point below the mountain. Then its back into the centre and out to the fish market and the port.

Enjoying the sun. Then the clouds rush in on the wind. Before we know it, we are running for cover.And we are not the only ones.

After 30 minutes of thunderstorms, lightening and buckets of rain, we head out and into a restaurant for a drink and calamaris. Although its called Rabas in this part of Spain. The wine was gorgeous.

After a very pleasant day, we return home for a swim. A bit of body boarding, and plenty of relaxing, reading, strolling, eating, drinking and more strolling followed by more reading and then bed.

 

Enjoyed Santona so much we headed back, but this time to walk up the mountain and then circumnavigate it clockwise. Starting from the fort and heading up and in through pastures, the odd farm and some relics before diving down into a small run down village that hugs the mountain. Not a real mountain, more of a large hillock that has been designated a nature reserve.

head up with the town covered in mist.

Graveyard with a view

Massive prison hugs the base of the mountain and goes down to the Atlantic coast

Sections were quite hairy. Fortunately, they had fixed ropes or chains to hang on to

 4hours on - Nearing the end - you can smile now

Had a late lunch and then walked round the promenade and up to the Bull ring.

 It was a weekend and the place had started to buzz. More families had arrived and headed for the beach. Restaurants and bars had opened up in the ghost town. A total transformation.

the beach at night

In the evening the heavens opened up. But by morning it was dry and wonderful once more.

Following day.

Drove south for 20k towards SANTANDER, but we caught a boat from SOMO, across the bay of Santander into the centre. Amazing bubbly place, although most of it was closed. A bank holiday.

 

 

 

 Believe it or not. We had lunch, a glass of wine and then headed back to the campsite. Another swim.