Monday 21^st May

We have been working our way along the coast line of Northern Spain.  Very steep, lush countryside with the most amazing viaducts – a huge engineering feat.  The view of the coastline with its golden sandy beaches was beautiful.  The weather continues to be cool only reaching a high of 13 or 14 degrees if we are lucky – often sitting around 12 degrees.  We have had rain but fortunately it has not stopped us doing anything.  Mostly it’s just been overcast. 

In Bilboa we visited the Guggenheim Museum an architecturally spectacular building – all stainless steel tubing.  Some of the exhibitions were a bit weird though!  From there we drove to Lugo, a Roman Wall World Heritage Site.  The city was founded in 15 BC century and the wall built in the 4^th century. So very old.  Very quaint building within its wall – a contrast with all the huge apartment blocks outside and throughout Spain.  Today we are in Allariz a cute village which we have explored with our bikes.  It has preserved its medieval layout and is lovely.  Tomorrow we move on to Portugal. And will re-enter Spain in the south. The Spanish people have been very friendly and helpful though we are struggling a bit with the language as unlike French we do not recognise many words.  Now we have to get the phrase book out again and try Portuguese!  All part of the adventure!