Bilbao.....don't know what it was about, but was certainly unusual :-) |
Day 14: Thursday 18th June 2015 - San Sebastián (Donostia) to Bilbao
Today's Ks': 12k Total for Trip: 963.25 ks'
I woke up around 08:00 and got myself organised and left the hostel to catch a train to Bilbao. The train decision was nothing to with weather but rather didn't fancy pushing my bike up loads of hills and a decision I was glad I took as I travelled in the train. I probably would still be out their pushing my bike :-)
Now, I can honestly say I got the best value for money ever as the train journey cost me €5.60 and I was travelling for almost two and a half hours......just amazing. Euskotren is the Basque train service and a pleasant journey I had, thank you guys.
On my way you could see the odd trekker walking the trails, on what I would imagine is, they are following the Camino. With their backpacks on they were using their poles to get them up. Some people thought that I was following it by bike as people were surprised when I told them that I wasn't heading for Santiago. I think I might just add it to my bucket list though.
Arriving in Bilbao I decided to drop my bike to the bike shop a day earlier ( I had arranged this a year in advance). However this proved a little harder than I had planned as my gps had me going around in circles, and getting strange looks from the locals.....as I was passing them a few times :-) Eventually some poor cyclist who stopped for water became my victim and playing the dumb tourist, he offered to bring me. However his chain broke on the way there and he wasn't a happy bunny any longer........in a lot of Spanish, he directed me with just a few directions, so don't know what he was saying for the rest .....exit stage left.
I eventually found it, and the guy in the shop was very helpful, although he had hardly any English, but we managed. Next stop was the hostel for tonight as I was a day early for my hotel. The hostel was nice and as look would have it I was sharing with an Irish brother and sister and her boyfriend (can't remember his nationality).
The two were cycling but were crying parts of the Camino and doing some stages only and taking time out.....they were doing around 50k when they were cycling. They too like the Irish couple I met earlier in the week had hired their bikes. That evening I just took a walk around the old town and then returned and relaxed.
Day 15: Friday 19th June 2015 - Bilbao
Today's Ks': 0k Total for Trip: 963.25 ks'
I woke around nine and had my breakfast before checking out and walking to my hotel for that eveing which was only around 500 metres away. As I was early I asked could I leave my bags there but luck was on my side and they had a room ready for me. I was situated right in the heart of the old town and I literally stepped out the front door into the buzz of all that was going on.
I spent all day and that evening walking around the city visiting the sights and below are some of my pictures to give you a feel of the city. Bilbao too was another one of those cities that you should visit, truly stunning. As it was the Basque region the weather is similar to ours....wet, a good bit but they have the heat too. I actually had to buy my first umbrella in years and the guy was making a killer on the tourists.....but I had my camera so needed to keep it dry.
Story continues after pics.......
Day 16: Saturday 20th June 2015 - Bilbao to Dublin to Waterford
Today's Ks': 0k Total for Trip: 963.25 ks'
Today was all about getting up early and getting to the bike shop to collect bike and get to the airport. My flight wasn't until 16:25 and 14:25 check in, but just didn't want ant hiccups. My taxi that I had arranged the night before met me at shop but the bike box wouldn't fit into his estate but he had great English and arranged for a friend of his to come and he waited with me.
The other taxi arrived and the first taxi driver and I looked at each other and thought the same, it wasn't going to fit this taxi either but this taxi driver wasn't having any of it......he pulled both front seats as far as they would go and then we squeezed in, well actually just me as he was a small man. I felt like one of those makerel fillets in those tins, I was eating all week but at least I made it.
All was left was the long wait for the flight and it was only a half hour delayed which wasn't too bad....next stop Dublin. Here my friend Michael was meeting me and when I arrived he called to say he was outside....how could we mess this up.
Oh but we did....I was at terminal 2 and he was at terminal 1. Both of us were pointing out cars, buses and people who were near us and even buildings before the penny eventually dropped.......has all the makings of a Laurel and Hardy sketch. Finally all sorted and we hit the road but, oh know, this too couldn't go to plan.
Talking and talking the whole way down (and I mean the two of us were talking, not just me), I happened to look out and there to our right was the Curragh........we had missed our turn on the motorway lol :-) We eventually made it home and my adventure was officially over......back to reality.
Before I finish this last post......I want to thank all my family and friends, for their encouragement, support and help during my trip, it was very much and still is appreciated.
My trip had it all, adventure, fun, frustration, anger, excitement and I would do it all again. I've learned loads and know what to do and what not to do. I would go alone again and equally with friends. I encourage each and every one of you to go do that dream you want to do.....
1981 or 82 |
2015 a few years later :-) |
Thanks for reading......until my next adventure