What can I say about Thursday? It started out calmly enough, with breakfast and the usual chaos of six adults getting ready for a day of activities. We were meeting Asun, Juan Mi and Maite at 11AM for a trip to Zarauz and lunch in Getaria. Both towns are west of San Sebastian and we all used to go there back in the day. (40 odd years ago) Paul, Cheryl and I tried to find somewhere to post the blog and then went to Asun’s apartment. When we got there I looked at the other couple standing there talking to them in total shock! Ana Gomez and her husband Peter, who were visiting from Denmark! How is that for coincidence? We knew Ana from the early days in Elizondo and had met Peter after she married him. Talk about an old school reunion! After lots of exclamations of delight, hugs and kisses we decided to meet up later, at our senior rental pad/house/casa! Then we set off in three cars for the coast.
Years ago it used to take us about 2/3 hours to get past San Sebastian and drive the twisty old coast road. Did I say 2 or 3 hours? Of course that would be for normal people, we were young and lead footed and used to have competitions to see who would get there first! Now it only takes about an hour, with the new roads. The coast road is much prettier, but slow!
Our first stop was Zarauz. They always had fabulous waves and a lovely beach, but Maite wanted to visit this bar/restaurant where a very famous Spanish chef has his headquarters. Karlos Arguinano is always on TV cooking shows, and Maite really wanted a photo with him! He wasn’t there. Damn! Interestingly enough, Paul and I had eaten in that restaurant on our first trip back in 2000. It is a terrific place right on the beach, in a castle-like building which is quite impressive. Anyway there was no luck there, so we had a beer and headed out again, about 12 km down the coast.
Getaria is a small fishing village where everyone comes to eat fresh fish. There used to be lots of places right in the harbor to eat, but there is only one left, so we headed up the steps to find a restaurant in the old town. Asun then told us she had never been this far up the coast before! We were all stunned! I know she goes on day excursions with her friends now, but I don’t think she travelled very far before Miguel died. She was perfectly happy in Elizondo. I know she and Miguel had been to Italy to visit their daughter Ana and her family and down south on vacation, but she had never been to Zarauz or Getaria. She liked them very much!
We visited the church which like all churches in Spain is quite impressive, but this one has a floor which slopes upward towards the altar! Quite dizzy making. There has been habitation here since the 2nd century BC, then the Romans came and went and things grew and expanded. They are doing some excavations and discovering lots of Roman buildings. Like everywhere else along the coast, not as many fishing boats. Used to be they were mending nets and were really busy, but I do not know if this is because of the economy or strict fishing regulations. It is hard to tell and no one is telling us!
Lunch was, as always, terrific. You can tell that this is Jane writing because if it was Paul, there would be a detailed description of the menu! As you can imagine with 10 people around a table, we have a party wherever we go.
Then we set off back home, because we were having a big dinner at Larraldea (our house). Twelve people around a table eating and drinking and talking in different languages! Crazy fun. Listening to one conversation in Spanish and hearing a fragment in English which intrigues you can make for a hectic evening! Asun brought her world famous tortilla de patatas, Maite brought salad and tomatoes from her sister’s garden, cheese, chorizo. Asun brought chistorra (a fabulous local sausage). There was bread and desserts and fruit and lots of laughter. It was a great evening with old friends. I am exhausted! Paul is still in bed at 10AM and I must keep up with this blog or I will forget all the interesting details. For instance, Dave had texted Ana (who he thought was in Copenhagen) to tell her that we were in Elizondo. What we didn’t know was that she and Peter were in Germany en route for here! We are all such world travelers as Paul Murray has alluded to!
We see that there are a few people following us, but no-one has posted comments. Is the blog easy to use? Are you having trouble posting? Let us know. Bye for now, more later. Jane
HI JANE, I HAVE BEEN POSTING COMMENTS ON THE BLOG. ALL VERY INTERESTING AND GLAD EVERYONE IS HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME. DAVE HAS BEEN TEXTING ME EVERY MORNING AS WELL!!!!
ReplyDeleteHAVE A GREAT DAY, PAUL