Blogs from Haro, La Rioja, Spain, Europe

A beautiful, warm day (well relatively - 19) for our (self drive) winery tour in La Rioja (with Kate, because it's a public holiday in Spain). And she changed the sat nav to English, always helps! Headed first to a town called Haro (about an hour northwest of Calahorra) where there are lots of wineries. We had appointments for a tour and tasting at one winery and a tasting at another (have to make appointments and pay, can't just walk in and taste). The first was CVNE, (also known as CUNE because of a printing error way back when) which was established in 1879, and is a family owned and run winery. We had a most interesting tour (even though I struggled with the accent) and then tasted 2 wines - red - were ok. Then ... read more

Last two days in Haro . Yesterday we drove to a small town Miranda de Ebro, passing through the fields of vines and lower slopes of the mountains. Not many people around.....done know where they all go as it wasn't the weather for hiding in the shuttered homes from the sun, although it eas 26-28 degrees, in between a few real torrential downpours rolling in and out over the mountains. In the evening we walked out to the largest bodegas to take photos of their amazing buildings and to get a different perspective of the town on foot. Today , after very heavy showers late evening, and more promised today, we drove in to town and walked many of the old streets of the town, again realising what a very pretty place it is! The town ... read more

Drove into Haro today to get some photos of the beautiful church, some of the Bodegas and a number of storks nesting, then a shop at the Simply supermarket, where, at the checkout, we discovered we had a large pack of nappies in our trolley!!!! Grahams fault, filling someone else's!!!! Of course!!!! Afternoon spent, sheltering from the 29 degree heat, while packing away awning and other items ready for an early departure tomorrow, heading 250 miles nearer Santiago de Compostella. 31 degrees forecast for next couple of days. Such a shame that the lovely large swimming pool on site is empty!!!!!!! Obviously not warm enough for the Spaniards yet!... read more

Day 3 in Haro. Another lazy morning soaking up the warm sun and in the afternoon, a trip to Santo Domingo de la Calzada , travelling through valleys of vineyards, with towering mountains beyond....and still a little snow on the summits. On to San Milan de la Cogolla, where there's a beautiful monastery nestled in the foothills, surrounded by the most amazing Bodegas, all making and selling their Rioja!!! The buildings and restaurants are definitely a match for the ones in South Africa!! Am still unable to upload my photos and Graham has decided he can't stand the strain of helping me and has left me at the bar on Saturday evening... read more

After a rocking and rolling crossing up to about 2.30am-while Graham slept peacefully, I eventually slept fairly well. We had a happily uneventfull disembarkation at Bilbao and the satnav didn't let us down. Temperature dropped to 7.5 and rain at one stage as we came through a couple of high mountain ranges.The site where we'll be for our first 5 nights is in Haro, which is a very important wine producing rioja region . There are many beautiful bodegas in the town, all lovely buildings and some decorated with vivid coloured flowers. Glad to report that as we settled down to dinner and wine this evening the sun is out and we can see that there's a lovely mountain range towering up from just beyond the caravan site. A successful first day.....and I made a note ... read more