SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 ELIZONDO

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, ELIZONDO

Friday’s activities will definitely ring a bell with Ron & Sandy Hand. We rejoined Maite and Juan Mi in the main plaza and of course saw several old and new friends with just standing there. Some minor trinket shopping before heading the Pamplona turnoff at Mugaire opposite the Bertiz National Forest Park. Mugaire is the home of Maite and you  can tell by how she describe the various of her childhood friends. We at the same resturante that we had dinner with Asun with Ron & Sandy. Ron will remember the pork chops and fries which did not fail to excel  again. Right everyone had menu of the day and then we split. Jane, Cheryl and Paul headed to the French border shops at Danchanarrea and then to the Zugurramurdi witches caves. Cheryl had never been to the caves back in 1971 and was duly impressed that she had missed such an adventure. Took pictures of the Gorramendi base turnoff which now has a proper highway number within Navarra province. Surprisingly good road condition without the Tumpane contractor road repairs when the base was open. We had a quiet supper back at the house in Elizondo before the bedtime antics of a flying cockroach the size of a hummingbird in Cheryl’s/Carol’s room. Bug spray failed to do the trick so they slept with sheets tucked up around their necks all night. The laughing and jumping around was recounted over coffee and toast at great length this Saturday morning.

In fact this morning has been the first day we had brilliant sunshine and not Scotch mist /grey clouds to begin the day(s). As you know we have had wonderful weather but when clear overnight in the valley it fills with marshmallow like clouds until the sun can burn off the excess moisture about mid day after which we have brilliant sunshine until the next morning’ clouds repeat the cycle. So our last full day promises nothing but sunshine. Dave and crowd are off to Pamplona to see the city with Nekane and Delores a venture we did with Ron & Sandy 4 years ago. While we are heading into San Sebastian with Cheryl.

Just to set everyone’s mind at rest, Paul has suffered no side effects from his face plant! The muddy pants washed up just fine, and his ego is restored!

Well we are off to San Seb, more later. We are going to stop first and say goodbye to Juan Mi and Maite and Alberto as they as setting off back to Malaga today, with a stop in Madrid with the Tios.

We had a terrific day in San Sebastian. The weather was perfect. We walked down the Avenida and came upon a peaceful demo/parade. Quite a long parade, asking for ETA to be legalized and recognition of the Basque country,(at least I think that is what it was). We continued toward the bay front and sauntered along in the beautiful sunshine. On the City Hall there was a banner saying “No to ETA. Human Rights and unity in Peace” ( and again, I think that is right.) So even here they are conflicted in what is best for everyone.

We headed for the parte vieja (old town) to revisit some old haunts. We found the tigre bar (Paul was really pleased about that!)  and had some spicy mussels and wine. We continued on and had some wonderful pintxos (that’s tapas up here)  for lunch. The place was packed with people strolling around having a lovely Saturday in a lovely town on a gorgeous day. We did a mini-old town crawl beginning with the plaza (old bull ring) 4 each sampler pintxos next to the old Potatoes Bravas bar. Then we found the original Tigres bar and also had mushrooms in there as well. Off to the backstreets and Bar Martinez for the deep fried green mini-peppers. Ultimately we each had an ice cream cone as we headed back for the garage in the underground garage. Next was Mount Igeldo to see the panaroma of San Sebastian.