Last day in Spain and we chose to do the final 142 miles through the middle of the mountains again from Legroño to Portugalete which is right next to the coast and about 5 mins from where our boat leaves from the following morning.
The trip though today's mountains was similarly beautiful to previous days BUT the roads we chose to go on were not on any maps and we relied on the sun (yes, really) to make sure we were going in the right direction till we found one that was on our map: we went for at least an hour before this happened tho'.
In Legroño we had a small bar in our hotel and we had a drink having been served by the hotel receptionist who then left us to it. Could've stayed all night for free if we'd wanted.
Yesterday we went past a place called WOK999 - a pay-to-get-in-and-eat-as-much-as-you-like place.
We did this and had a fab. meal. The idea was to choose what you wanted, raw, and then get the chef to cook it. Then go back for more.
We rather over-did it and once we got back to the hotel deb lay on the floor groaning saying ''I can't move. Why did you make me eat so much?'' Rob didn't really have an answer, of course.
Next day we travelled to Portugalete. On the way we popped into Guernica, of Picasso fame and there's a good book about the village being bombed in WW2.
We stopped for a coffee - the cool thing about journeying on a bike is that you can park anywhere for free too.
It was market day and so nowhere for cars to park. We chose this spot 'cos there was shade and it was close to coffee!
Guernica market was here - a lively, aromatic place where we bought dried pepper skins, three kinds of cheese and fruit.
ll over the place, in Spain, are signs of building. There were quite a few bridges/fly-overs in mid-creation. They start with the posts.....and then, presumably, put the road on top afterwards!
When we arrived in Portugalete the hotel we had booked was dark and dingy. Their phones were not working, towels not in the room (drying on the washing line) and the WiFi also not running. At least the beds were quite comfy and there was running water in the bathroom. We were set for a dismal last night BUT when we walked out into the town we found out it was the eve of the Portugalete Fete (these last FOUR days in Spain) and the evening was well and truly underway quite early. It was Monday......so Tues/Weds/Thurs/Fri for partying and Sat/Sun to recover. All very Spanish...and commendable.
Over the waterway that leads to Bilbao there is a bridge, built in 1893 and has a suspended cradle that can transport 6 cars and 200 people over the water. It does this all day. We went one way in the cradle and then went up the left 'leg' (62 metres high) and walked across the top and then down the side we started on. All good fun but a bit scary up high.
Here's the 'cradle' coming in - you can see the 6 wires that suspend it from the structure above.
This pic is on top before we actually walked over the water. You could easily see through the slats in the floor and the whole thing swayed around a little giving an uncomfortable, nervy flavour to the whole trip-ette.
Quite early on the party was already rolling - difficult to get a table or seat anywhere but it was easy to get a tapas and drink from the 12 or so street bars that lined the harbour wall!
We saw many folk drinking 'pintas' of half CocaCola and half Red wine. Sounded disgusting until a barmaid told us to try it before passing judgement. We did, liked it, and had a couple.
Foodwise you could do this...................
........or this.
ALL NIGHT!
.
.........so we did! Then back to the dingy accommodation with meagre breakfast. Trip to the boat was about 5 minutes and then a swell filled, stomach churning trip to Portsmouth. Bikes are all strapped down together in the lowest level of the boat. 182 miles from Portsmouth home to proper tea and a couple of days swaying residue from the swoopy crossing. Great to be home but we had a fab. time.
Honda Goldwing GL1500SE is now on EBay - beautiful but Rob has had to choose between 'old Wing and NewWing and having built the old one he feels inclined to continue shining that one. Also he might get a slightly sportier, smaller bike to keep up with the boy next door
Thanks for reading, keeping up with our trip. There hundreds more pics and videos and if anyone feels inclined then pop to Mill Farm Cottage and we can look through some of them over some wine and coke!
Over and out.
Tra-la-la,
Rob and Debbie
