Blogs from Cantabria, Spain, Europe - page 6

We left Grenoble not really knowing where we would finish up and that makes all the more interesting. We were the only ones in the dining room. Food was plentiful and we made sure we had a good breakfast. The Tom Tom was set up for Spain and at about 9.30 a.m. we left Grenoble. We were soon on the, minor road to Perpignon. One of the bigger places we would go through on the way to the Spanish border. We don't think we ever went through more round about as this day. France really likes those. At some places they were there every two kilometres. We were lucky for it was Sunday and again no or hardly any truck traffic. But you do have the farmers that move their heavy equipment around on these small ... read more

Hey everyone! Well, my time in Spain has been very rainy. It has been quite cold and not suiting my taste for weather whatsoever! Besides that, things seem to be going well - visited a market, a bunch of shops, loads of beaches and two other towns in the province of Cantabria, Santillana del Mar and Comillas. I apologize, despite trying to get pictures uploaded to my blog, there was no success so I will post pictures at a later date... It is now Friday, it rained a lot this morning and I slept rather late but managed to see the bread man do the delivery. There is a guy that delivers fresh bread to the houses where Begona's parents live every day - pretty cool I think. We are in town for the day so ... read more

The thunderstorms last night were not an issue when trying to get to sleep but with one long shared pillow some diplomacy was called for. Fortunately a cheap pillow had been purchased in Clermont-Ferrand to cater for difficult situations. One positive to come out of the thunderstorm was a reasonably clean car in the morning. Light rain was falling and it was probably our coolest day on this part of our travels so warmer clothes were needed. After a bedroom breakfast (we say these things in hushed tones) we said farewell to the owner, who only spoke Spanish and perhaps some French, and left for some sightseeing in the old part of town. Having taken the scenic route last night we knew exactly where to go and how to exit the city. The underground car park ... read more

In the Western part of Cantabria is the small medieval city of Santillana del Mar. They say the city is of three lies, since it is not holy (santi), flat (llana) or on the sea! (del mar). Some good-looking liar! The city is quite a beautiful little jewel, perfectly preserved with its bright cobbled streets and tan stone and brick buildings surrounding centuries of history that lies within this city. Cut off my automotive traffic, the city can only be explored by foot. So thats what we did. On a grey-skyed saturday three girls of all different nationalities piled into a very small car by any North American's standard and set off from Santander in Northern Cantabria Spain and drove through the Cantabrian countryside. Eventually finding there final destination of Santillana del Mar. This medieval jewel ... read more

So after now of living in Spain for a month, you'd think i'd get adjusted to the heat or the fact that its still 24 degrees outside and thats not even with the sun out. Nope!! Just the other day we took my host family's sail boat out on the water. It was amazing. If you didn't know Santander is the coast for the Bay of Biscay and the Cantabrian Sea. So in the Bay there is a beautiful, white, silky smooth sand bar/beach with a small restaurant on it too. Only people with boats have access to this beach, therefore its a lot less crowded on hot days. We took the boat to this beach and anchored. Did i mention how this was a Tuesday. Now if i was ever to boast about one the ... read more