Llanes to Nueva

Wednesday 2 October
Ribadesella, Asturias

Walk from Llanes to Nueva

Immediately upon leaving Llanes the Picos come into sharper view. 

Going through the tiny village of Poo, pronounced pō-ō, I saw a dozen people at the bar for coffee from France, Czechoslovakia, Australia, the Netherlands, and San Diego. No, I didn’t throw the last one in just for a joke.


I didn’t stick around long enough to get a really good photo of it, but this bull has a gold ring in his nose. I hope you can understand why. 

 

Morning sun is beautifully reflected off of the Picos. 


Older part is in the foreground. 


Village colors, me gusta. 


Picos getting closer, or I should say I am getting closer to them.


Convent from the 18th century. 




Fabulous French foursome. Denise gave me...


...her Camino bracelet. 

The rest is a smattering of the rest of the day’s walk for you to enjoy.

Colores Del Camino

8 October 

Cadavedo, Asturias

Astur Regal Casa Rural

I love the playful house colors in Northern Spain. 

For example…

Now this is an orange house. Or maybe you would call it creamsicle. 

Las Coches Viejas and Puppies

Sunday 29 September 

Departing Santillana 

Busamino to Comillas

Walk to San Vicente de la Barquera 

El Domingo is a day for antique cars in Northern Spain. 

...and also for puppies. 

Starting out walking today in Camillas. 






An interesting breed of cattle. 

Could it be...


A beach bar, and a perfect place for lunch!




More unbelievable pastoral views of the sea


Beginning to see San Vicente with a backdrop of the Picos. 

San Vicente to Llanes

Monday 30 September 

San Vicente to Llanes 

Took the train from San Vicente de la Barquera to...

...Pendueles and began my walk here today. 


A perfect sandwich between the Picos de Europa...


...and the sea. 


Pretty soon I came upon...

...the Buffones de Arenillas. Best I can understand, they are rocks that have big holes in them as though they were porous long ago. And when the tides are high and strong, water and/or air come through them, making huge geysers and a sound, as my German friend Mark said, “like the breath of a dragon.”




Coming in to Llanes,




...lovey city where I hung out for an extra day of rest. 

Santander, or Where is Julio?

27 September

Santander

SilkenRio

Near

Palicio de La Magdalena

The way to Santander from Noja commences with more walking along the autopista (highway), so I let go of my pride and chose to do a Taximino to Galizano since there was no bus or train to there. 

The driver actually complemented me for not walking along the road as we passed numerous Pelegrinos on both sides of the highway. Very dangerous!

It was cooler today, with brisk conditions...

as I greeted surfers and wished them “buenas olas.”

Santander as we approached it from the ferry...

After settling in I walked to the Palicio de La Magdalena, or the site of the filming of Spanish Gran Hotel. If you haven’t watched it yet on Netflix, you are missing a delightful but more campy Spanish version of Downton Abbey.

I was unable to find Julio...

... so I’ll continue on walking one step at a time. 

Santillana (No) Del Mar

28 September 

Santillana Del Mar

Hotel Altamira 

Up until now all of the towns I’ve stayed in have been on the sea. 

But here the walk turns inland briefly to go through Santillana Del Mar, which is NOT on the sea in spite of its name.

It is a beautiful Medieval town with cobble-stoned streets, well-maintained ancient buildings, and a Romanesque church. 

I attended a mass where I understood very little so I made up my own sermon about God’s love, kindness, and forgiveness.

As I left Gran Hotel in Santander yesterday, skipping and tripping down the path, I did indeed trip and turn my hip. So I was grateful yet again for the bathtub tonight and a chance to soak, rest, and wander in this little town today.