Bilbao

The journey has really begun!  Today we left Barcelona by train.  I don't think I mentioned last time that the only seats available were in first class - what a shame, but we took them!!

After we arrived in Bilbao we finally managed to get a Spanish pre paid sim card for our phones.  The people in the Orange store were very helpful indeed - gold star service!  We are now wandering around with a sim that has 135 gig of data for the month, which includes a 100 bonus gig!. I have not stinted with my data usage at home, and and have used 5 gig over the last 12 months!.  Maybe I'll stream something like the royal funeral to use a few gig!!

We began our journey as soon as we had checked into our hotel, heading out to walk as far as we could in the few hours till it got dark.  Due to the time it took to get our sim we only had limited  time and so were only able to walk about 8kms, before  turning back.  We were trying to figure out how to catch the train, and happened to ask an older couple how.  They would show us.  Language was limited,  but we set off walking, at a sprightly pace, with both him and his wife - Jill  walking with the wife, and me in front with the senor.  Jill kept asking where we going, I kept replying "no idea". It turned that we were headed for where the Camino went off the road and over a medieval bridge. This meant that we were able to set off the next morning without having to find the signs.
Our hotel - the red building. It was above the bus station. 
The bridge that we were marched to, and the first really "traditional" sign.

We then returned by bus to Bilbao, ready for an early night, before heading out again the next morning by train to start walking forward again!  The plan was to return to our hotel for a second night, all because we were unable to find accommodation where we were headed.  It made for an easier start as we only had to find breakfast and set off, and just carrying a day pack made for a pleasant start.  
Our hearty breakfast, at the bus station, before setting off.  Tortilla at last - a pototae omelette, a staple for the Spanish and for pilgrims!

Technology has been tricky for me thus far - having difficulty uploading photos, emails not arriving, and a small screen to deal with, but hopefully posts will become more regular as we move forward.

It has been hot, we're tired, and we are about to start our day.  More updates later.

Comments

  1. Chris from MM13 September 2022 at 06:14

    Today we had 13 at MM. We sat in a circle like old times. We had a good play and left a few mins after 11.00. Dora did a great job.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Janet13 September 2022 at 17:18

    Thanks Chris. Glad it went well.

    ReplyDelete

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