Bilbao and back home

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26th-30th Oct
Bilbao old town was interesting and 'tapas crawling' was great, especially when we inadvertently found ourselves in the seedier end of town- felt quite out of place without a piercing or a tattoo and briefly toyed with the idea of getting one! But the highlight of Bilbao was the brilliant Gugenheim museum. I've used the term 'awe inspiring' alot on this journey and this was another time when the term applied. Our regret was that the others had already left and couldn't share it too. The architecture was amazing, from the organic lines of its titanium outer shell to the central atrium, where the only straight line is the floor and a vast curved glass elevator sweeps up to the galleries and walkways. The best exhibit for me was a whole roomful of Richard Serra sculptures that you walk round and in and out of. The visiting exhibition of old dutch masters was great as was most of the modern art
The Rough Guide advised trying the Gugenheim restaurant and we are so glad we did, the food was wonderful and furthermore we sat chatting to Stings personal chef. He had a gig at the Stadium there that night. Tom told her that he was available if he needed a spare guitarist and she said she'd pass the message on!
After a drive along the coast we caught the boat to England. An exciting diversion was a helicopter rescue practice and then we cruised home and the waves rocked us to sleep.
Home now with our fantastic family and looking forward to meeting up with the village at a 'do' in the Hostelrie tonight.
It's been good!



"Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze. Well it's all right, if you live the life you please.
Well it's all right, doing the best you can. Well it's all right, as long as you lend a hand.

Maybe somewhere down the road a ways,
you'll think of me and wonder where I am these days.
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
Purple haze.

Well it's all right, even when push come to shove.
Well it's all right, if you got someone to love.
Well it's all right, everything will work out fine.
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line.

Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive,
I'm just glad to be here, happy to be alive.
And it doesn't matter if you're by my side,
I'm satisfied.

Well it's all right, even if you're old and grey. Well it's all right, you still got something to say.
Well it's all right, remember to live and let live. Well it's all right, the best you can do is forgive.
Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze.
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please.
Well it's all right, even if the sun don't shine.
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line."

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