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Published: October 27th 2010
18.10.10 Riano
view from the campsite in the morningMonday 18th October to Sunday 24th October 2010
Monday 18th Oct 2010
Now at Riano. Woke to a cold morning with frost on the ground, but it was clear. By 10am it was absolutely great - clear, sunny and cool and the scenery was absolutely unbelievable. The mist was hanging around the top of the rocky jagged mountains, the sun was shining partially on the village - postcard perfect picture.
We left there and headed to Oviedo. The road was just as thrilling as yesterday. Hair pin bends, with only enough room for the motorhome and hoping like hell that no-one would come around the corner. The scenery was magnificent and the mountains majestic. We had our first sighting of snow on the mountain tops. We drove through many small villages, propped on mountain edges - heaven knows how they built them hundreds of years ago.Stopped at a place for a coffee and a break. It was called ‘Puente Vidosa’. It was a hotel/restaurant with apartments, a huge pool, a gym - unbelievable on the edge of a cliff face although this is not on their website, which is a shame.
We continued on down the mountain and came to
the motorway and went into Oviedo. www.oviedo.es We parked in what we thought was a loading zone - and I went into the Tourist Office while Tom stayed with the van, just in case it had to be moved. As everything in Spain stops and closes for lunch - I had to wait. The Tourist office was closed from 2pm to 4.30pm, so I wandered around and checked out what was where. When they opened I got some useful information and headed back to the van. We were parked in, no room to move, so we waited for 15 minutes and then Tom checked on the van behind us and it belonged to the shop near us, so they came and moved it and we headed out of town to a parking spot, near a football oval, but Tom found gypsies nearby so that was the end of staying there for the night - we had tea and left. Drove on N634 and took exit. Eventually, ended up in a little town on river. No spot found so stopped outside restaurant - they were closed but saw a woman looking out window - with Gaye’s help and phrase book asked
19.10.10 La Coruna
view of the cathedral spire her if we could stay in the car park - OK they said - so stayed for the night.
Tuesday 19th Oct 2010.
We were up on the Nolna River. Into Oviedo to park - well that was the plan and it took some work and ended up about 3kms from town centre and walked into town. Took photos of a church near motorhome so we could show someone where we had to get back to and Tom set the Garmin - photo worked as we got lost on the way back.
Went into town and saw the Oviedo Cathedral in the Al Fonsono II Square. Construction started about 900AD and then a massive one built on top later - awe inspiring. We then did a tour of the museum of the Cathedral. So good we bought a book (in English) and a video set (in Spanish).
Then had lunch in the square in the sun - cannot have food in the bars as they are allowed to smoke in them, is too hard to tolerate - in fact all food places have people who smoke in them - THE BAD OLD DAYS.
Then back to home and out
23.10.10 Tom's 60th birthday
Santiago de Compostela at Casa Manola of Oviedo towards La Coruna. Gaye had a drive - all OK on 2 lane freeway but then off onto 1 lane each way and road became winding. NO GO. So Tom back behind the wheel and drove onto La Coruna, about 8.30pm into campsite.
Wednesday 20th Oct 2010 - Our 37th Wedding Anniversary
Into La Coruna by bus. www.turismocoruna.com Into the town Council Chambers as they have a collection of clocks from 1700-2000. Great collection and the rooms were nice. One of the rooms had exquisite chandeliers. They were made of Swzarovski crystals. It was 4pm - we then walked around old town area and found 3 churches - you would not know they are there - behind old doors - no obvious signs. So much more interesting than those in Ireland and UK.
Then walked around to museum of Maria Pita - she slew the Standard Bearer of Sir Francis Drake from England and became the figure for all the women who helped defeat the English siege of La Coruna.
Then we found a restaurant for dinner at 8pm - come back at 9pm they said - so walked around the retail strip along with lots
of other people till 9.10pm. The chef spoke English and so helped us with our order.
We had the barnacles off the local rocks - blanched in salted water, then the local scallops done in butter, garlic and a sort of mint leaf chopped finely - absolutely to die for - then Gaye had grilled fish with extra veggies and Tom had a grilled steak with sea salt.
Thursday 21st Oct 2010
Tom up and off for a bicycle ride and found a steep hill - had to stop to rest for 5 mins till he could go again. Saw some very expensive houses - one was under construction, so talked to tradesmen and took some photos. €7million for 1 family home. We were wondering about the financial crisis
Back home, brekkie and a bus to La Coruna central and then bus to the Monte de San Pedro Panoramic Lift. It is glass and stainless steel ball - carries up to 25 people and goes up a near vertical climb of 100 metres. Had lunch at top and looked at the view then back down again. Up at lunch we talked to a girl from Belgium who is a trainee opera singer. She had to do a 5 year University course - hopefully she will end up at the Opera House.
Then we walked about 3.5 kms via the Domus, The Mankind Museum on the study of the human body development, then walked along the beach and onto The Tower of Hercules - World Heritage Site - the only working Roman Light House in the world - note , lots of steps to top of museum and 249 steps to top of lighthouse, we were shot ducks so at 6pm we were back on bus to home.
Beer, snacks and cooked tea.
Friday 22nd Oct 2010
Up at 8.15am and drive to Santiago de Compostela campsite - www.santiagodecompostela.es .
Set up for the next 3 nights, had lunch and into town on bus. Did the tourist train - train carriage driving you around the city with guide speaking Spanish and English. Back to main square, did some grocery shopping and them onto bus back home.
There were 2 young girls in front of us on the bus, and an English couple facing us in front of them and 2 older Spanish people opposite. We were all in fits of laughter as one of the young girls was talking at 100 mph and did not draw breath for the whole journey - Gaye was crying with laughter.
(it’s now 10pm writing this and we had to look at map to see where we had come to - loss of memory or brain overload - it’s a worry :-0 ).
Saturday 23rd Oct 2010 - Tom’s 60th Birthday
Into Santiago de Compostela about 10am.
Went to the local markets. It was great - all the local people selling their fresh food produce-a real buzz about the place.
Had a coffee and cake - chatted to a couple sharing the table with us - they were from Madrid. Looked at their food so much trying to work out what they were having, they offered us some warm bread with oil and jam.
Off to the old town centre and did a guided tour. There were only 3 of us that did this tour as it was in English, the other lady, Penelope, was from Canada and she had just done the pilgrim’s walk.
The tour guide was good, and it was good to get a better understanding of the history and the architecture that we were seeing. She also explained the pilgrim’s walk and where the pilgrims would meet at the Cathedral from the different countries.
Santiago de Compostela, Rome and Jerusalem are the 3 holy cities - we, not being Catholic nor religious had no idea of this and had a very intensive and interesting history lesson. As this is a holy year, there are many different cultural activities on, in and around the city. The reason for a holy year here is, St James’ birthday of 25th July, who is the patron saint, falls on a Sunday. So they have a holy year every 5, then 6, then 5 then 11 years and the cycle repeats. The scallop shell is the symbol of Santiago de Compostela. The shell was used by the pilgrims as a cup to drink their water from rivers etc. The shells are in abundance along the coast.
While we were on the tour, there was a group of people dressed up as Roman Legion with leader soldiers, standard bearer marching around the city and playing trumpets and drums - just like in the old days of Romans.
After the tour, we talked to another Aussie, also who done the pilgrim walk. She told us of a good restaurant for dinner tonight.
Back into town at 7pm - the Church of Animas was not open as yet so went into a Bar for a wine. Chatted to a couple from Alaska who had just finished their pilgrim walk of 180kms - they walked for the whole week.
Back to the church. Concert started at 8.30pm. The organist was Christopher Hainsworth from NZ and the trumpet player was Nicolas Planchon from France. The acoustics in the church for the trumpet were excellent and he was a fantastic player.
After the concert we went to dinner at the restaurant the lady recommended. It was €9 each for 3 courses. Cheap. Back home by taxi.
Tom said he had a great birthday.
Sunday 24th Oct 2010
Tom went for a bicycle ride around the streets and it’s raining lightly and then got heavier.
Today is catch up with ourselves day.
Had a beautiful lunch in the restaurant attached to the campsite.
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gary byrom
non-member comment
Hi, please ask Tom if he's the same Tom I went to school with? Thanks.