Castro Urdiales, Cantrabria

The English have arrived! After five weeks of seeing hardly any last night at the aire in Santander there were plenty, because today a Brittany ferry sailing to Portsmouth was scheduled. It takes 48 hours. We both agree it's not for us. The five hour sailing from Poole to Cherbourg is long enough. Whilst it saves time, fuel and accomodation costs, it also means you don't get to drive up through France on your way home. Which we like to do. With less than two weeks until we return home we are hoping our driving days will now be shorter. Today after a visit to Lidl, and Margery full refuelled we drove for less than an hour to the pretty coastal town of Castro Urdiales.

With Marge parked at a very nice cemetery, we walked down the hill into town. Today we decided to treat ourselves to a meal out. Checking out the restaurants we chose one overlooking the harbour. After Google translating the menu we chose.

The food was excellent, and at £28.00 for two three course lunches including a drink we left feeling very satisfied. Not used to a large lunch, we decided we should take a walk.

No siesta for us. 

The town was interesting and the beach, although man-made looked inviting. A few people lay prone on fluorescent towels. Swimwear optional, as was oggling! Full of Spanish fayre we now feel tired. Not sure if an evening walk will be on the cards tonight.

Santander, Cantrabria

We are nearing the border with France now. But we have unfinished business in northern Spain as there are still a few places we want to visit before leaving. But the day didn't start well. Last night Angela set the alarm on her mobile phone for seven in the morning, and then turned it off! So it was nearly seven thirty before we got up. The weather was miserable, the sky threatening. But by nine thirty Margery was parked on the aire at Santander. Now breath. She had a space, and we could relax.

Time for a second breakfast for Angela whilst tears of rain persisted. Slowly the aire awoke and people began to walk out. So did we. Time to see what Santander had to offer. We headed down to the beach first.

The area looked miserable on this cold dank day. Why had we come to this miserable looking place? Deciding to give the city a chance we walked on to the cathedral stepping inside it looked interesting.

But we'd never know if it was or not. We were ushered straight out way as a mass was about to take place. Some vittals for lunch bought from a supermarket we wondered if perhaps we may need to move on from Santander. Then the clouds gave in. Making way for a perfect seaside blue sky. It was still a little cool, but we didn't care. Now we began to see the area in a new light. We walked on, stopping to take in the views across the water to the Picos Europa, now emerged from a duvet of low cloud.

The city has many sculptures, one on the waterfront of some naked boys was explained to us in Spanish by a local man. We nodded as if we understood, but we didn't, so translated the information board which told us that the boys were Raqueros who in the early 19th and 20th centuries used to hang about and dive into the waters of the bay to collect the coins that curious people threw at them. Another group of sculptures of naked men and women were particularly popular. Especially the men's penises which were shiny from too much handling. Two women, we think they were German, didn't get John's joke when he said the willy's were very popular.

Perhaps he should have said, the Wilhelm's were very popular! As we walked back to Margery, we couldn't believe we were in the Santander we'd arrived at. Beautiful aquamarine water kissed the shore.

The views now far reaching. Sorry we dissed you Santander.

Comillas, Cantrabria (Day 2)

Backed by lush green countryside, and fronted by a stunning sandy beach, Comillas is a beautiful town with stunning examples of art nouveau architecture.

However, there was one house Angela particularly wanted to visit. El Capricho, designed by the architect Anton Gaudi, he of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona.

Last time we were in the town we weren't in the position to pay to visit anywhere, but now things are different. Especially as we are both now classed as seniors, so entry was just five euros each. The house was amazing, dominated by it's Persian style minaret. Sadly it fell into neglect, but was fortunately rescued and restored. Tomorrow we are off to Santander. The aire there is always busy, so arrival by nine thirty in the morning is advisable. Taking advantage of the facilities on offer at our site, we showered and washed some smalls, all ready for an early start tomorrow.