well it is still more or less broiling - the usual 32C or whatever - seems til the end of the week and no change other than promised coupla showers (won't hold my breath). Wed. 6 March was a late start and lunch/brunch at almost 2pm at Press * (I think the asterisk is part of the name). Anyway later found out it was Advertiser (the local rag) restore of the year last year. Anyway I had a pappardelle with blue swimmer crab with chilli tomato creamy sauce, which was pretty good. And a glass of SA syrah/Gamay red which I wondered about later (red in the middle of the day that is). Style of the place was suitable boho - long communal benches and stools and rough cut timber walls. Will likely go back there ... read more

I did not mention yet that the problem with hotels (as in getting one) was La Merce annual festival, the biggest thing in Barcerlona. The actual fest was on Monday 24 Sept but the weekend before Sat-Sun was full of events and free concerts - and some free museums (more on that later). The maddest one seemed to be the Correfoc - to quote the info: .... The correfoc (literally, “fire run”) was an invention that dates back to the restoration of democracy; nevertheless, it brings together the traditional ingredients of Catalan culture and the absolute essence of Mediterranean festivities. This procession kicks off when fire-spitting beasts and devils pour out from the Gates of Hell, bathing the streets in fire .... Honestly this is one of the maddest events I have ever seen in terms ... read more

another of those sort of whistle stops/one nighters in a town of interest. This time Burgos, and one would have to say there is one reason - yes, another Cathedral. But this is THE Cathedral in Spain I think I can say, and I am not just repeating the guide books (which do say just). Anyway got the train here from Valladolid - and am in fact writing this on the same train (number 4087 Alvia that is) as it runs from Madrid (via Burgos) to Bilbao. I had heard from the Aussie couple from Melbourne I had spoken to that there was likely some sort of industrial action on the Monday. I did not mind, otherwise I would likely have just missed the train as I left my fast walk to the station a little ... read more

Although this is notionally entry number 2 in the Spain blog , it is actually about my three nights in Salamanca from Friday 7 September through to Sunday night 9 September. Because of the often problems with booking weekend accommodation, especially Friday and Saturdays, I decided to book the three days as a block. Apart from the fact that Salamanca seemed a relatively pleasant place to spend such an amount of time. Although already the travel arrangements are starting to become hazy, I got the bus over there (about 90 minutes) from Avila - we may or may not ever catch up with that place. The hotel was a reasonable place called the Monterrey - an old 50s style but a reasonable price , although the room was somewhat small. It was on the fifth floor ... read more

As I really only had one full day in Gyeonju, and the particular things I wanted to get to were relatively spread out, this meant a relatively early start (like 11!). There was a free espresso coffee machine in the lobby of the hotel so almost gave a random button a push (they were labelled in Korean after all) and at least got a shortish black coffee which wasn't too tragic. Noted that they even have a toaster, some bread and jam sachets. However I have tended to rely on places like Paris Baguette for my morning pastry. In this case I ended up heading off with only the coffee under my belt as I headed straight to the bus stop. Buses here tend to be of the exact change variety, although if you throw 2 ... read more