Aviero

Aviero sits along the tidal rivers cutting into the land from the Atlantic. A canal runs through the old town and remnants of its seafaring history are evident as you walk along. Art Nouveau buildings and brightly painted boats stand out along the worn streets.

Portuguese futbol pride

Square knots in stone

Repairing a boat cover

Cockles

Plying the canal

From the days of sail

Art Noveau

Night in the park

Into Portugal

We entered the northern border of Portugal on June 13. Ellie suggested we find the Mosteiro de Sao Martinho de Tibaes. After a few wrong turns and some strained directions we arrived at the remote site. The restoration was immaculate and the gardens 'muy tranquila'.

Within the monastery courtyard

What we assumed were the original ladders

Portugal is covered in tile

Climbing to the garden chapel

Chapel

The chapel's porch ceiling

Organ pipes

Carvings everywhere you looked

Spring planting

I had noticed Parque Nationale de Peneda Geres on the map earlier. Since we explore without plans or reservations (and often without a clue) I headed that way hoping for the best. After at 'least a million' curves we climbed to the village of Geres known for its healing springs. The camping was very primitive with sites perched precariously along stone tiers stepping down the mountain side. The hiking and the food (fresh trout) were great and we felt we had made another memorable discovery.

Alone...

... high in the Park

Along the mountain road

What's a little rain...

Geres

End of the Pilgrim Trail

We reached Santiago de Compostela late in the evening. The next morning we went to the Plaça where many pilgrims were arriving by foot or bike for the noon mass. They came from all over the world, many starting months before as far away as France. We stayed for mass and later explored the church and the old town.

Gathering outside the Catedral

Waiting for mass. The ropes are used for large swinging incense burners.

A paper representation of a saint in the museum show

Very damp and mossy

Mass for the pilgrims

The downtown park with giant eucalyptus

Santiago de Compostela

Across the Northern Coast

A couple more days in Gernika and on our way...

Picos de Europa is a large area of high mountains where Cantabria, Leon and Asturius meet. We turned south from the coast west of Bilboa and wound our way into the mountains through tight turns often with vertical rock instead of shoulders. Reached the town of Potes and just past, camping at La Isla on the River Deva. It was cool and green... and the bar/restaurant hung over the rushing river. We hiked, explored the town and stayed warm in our tent with a borrowed blanket over our sleeping bags.

Potes

Tapas time. They still sell Chesterfield cigarettes.

Looks like a rig that Tommy Ray would have left in the mountains...

Going up

Hikin' Girl

On the River Deva

Pencil

Ellie's view

Monasterio de Santo Toribio de Liebana in the Picos

Returning to the coast the next day we slowed down in a small town as a parade of brightly clothed musicians crossed in front of us. People were streaming by us so we grabbed the first parking space we saw and followed. We had stumbled on the beginning of the town's annual traditional Catabrian festival. Happy, kind people, great dance and music and I couldn't stop eating. Eleanor struck up conversations and we were taken under the wing of Bagoña and Manuel who filled us in on the goings-on. Also enjoyed the company of a young couple from Bilboa. Lots of fun.

Pouring Sidra, the local apple 'beer'

Paella for the masses

Eleanor with Maria Begoña,  Manuel, Oihane and Iker

It was getting late in the afternoon when we left and so we headed into Llanes, an Asturian coastal town. We found an economical room in a hotel that hung over a cliff and a secluded beach. Tucked in after a really big day.

A Room with a View