A change in the weather for the worst. So we went out for the walk soon after breakfast and drove westwards to find the sun. We were out from 9.30 until 12 50, turning off at Viega de los Viejas to an old coal mine, only closed around 2018, we walked along the path of an old railway for about 6 km. Alfredo went off to some shopping and then drove to our end point,, walking back a fair way to meet us. . Once home we had an orange and then a lesson at 1,30. A lovely lunch of Arroz and cod. Then a very long afternoon until the lesson at 7,45, supper was a guacamole and a hummus dip with carrots.
A really good day, good weather and a super walk from Etrenca to Salientia por los dos pueblos and along the river. On the way back we stopped at an Albergue for a drink. A siesta after lunch, some reading and then a glass of Rioja at the pub. Alfredo put several radio programs on my mobile during the evening lesson and we talked about my father. A good supper of setas and green peppers
July 1st
Another sunny day. Alfredo lent me his Kindle and I was able to read The Remains of the Day on it quite easily, but only in sunlight. The walk was in La Peral, easy for the feet but hard on the lungs. We stopped at the pub for a Cana on the way back. A tasty lunch of Russian salad and trout in the garden, then some reading between siestas, another visit to the pub. Showed Alfredo my family history site during the evening lesson. After dinner I tried some podcasts that David had found on my IPad
July 2nd
Yet another superb day. The walk was just with Jimena from Pola de Someida, about 4 kms in each direction, and without Fa, who was suffering attacks of anxiety. A good lunch of red cabbage and roast chicken. A siesta and then reading in the sun in the garden. A visit to the pob, a lesson, then supper of mushroom stuffed pancakes. Somewhat tired for most of the day
July 3rd
Went out early for a walk with just Alfredo to ?.? Where we did a slightly different walk along rough roads with not too much incline, so really good for me. Then back for a lesson and lunch. Another sleepy, sunny afternoon, but got to the pub. Lesson , talking to Alfredo about our hotels, good for me.
July 4th
Used David’s website to talk more about our hotels. Then a walk with Jimenea along a narrow footpath, rocky and with loose stones at times, to the branas de Mumian. Not the best of walks for me! A delicious paella for lunch. Read in the garden, then a siesta, pub, lesson and supper
July 5th
Saw our first Asturias bear as we drove out of La Peral with Jimena and Alfredo for our daily walk, this one from Vega de los Viegas to La Cueta. This was an easy walk for me, about six kilometres, with pleasant views. Also saw three hares, jumping incredibly. Jimena met us at the far end and then it was 25 minutes back. A cloudy day so we could only sit outside for a short time after lunch. But we still went to the bar as it was our last night
July 6th
Booked a course for 2024, from June 28th for 10 days, with the proviso that if my eyes detiorated further, then we could cancel by Christmas. In the lesson Alfredo installed Spanish
Podcasts onto my phone. Then a walk with him around the village before an early lunch
.we left La Peral at 2pm and arrived in the Basqie ountry, in the hotel Iraragorri in Galdakao after four plus hours . A pleasantt building. Quite a built up area. A large room with very large antique furniture but atrocious lighting. We went for a walk around the nearby railway. Then sat outside with a bottle of white wine before an excellent dinner with. A pleasant waitress
Ju;y 7th
We had a. very civilized, served, breakfast, then set off for France at 9,15. I found the seven hour journey somewhat boring due to my hazy vision. We were very happy with the St, Thomas Manoir hotel in Amboise when we eventually found it. A spacious room, light and iairy in spite of the period decor. I went for a swim and David found out about restaurants, veneyards and chateaux. We went out for a walk well before 7 pm and I was already tired by the time we arrived at the Lion d or restaurant. I enjoyed my burnt, on purpose, leek, and the aporicot daquoise dessert. But was completely exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel
July 8
Thunder during the night @ pleasant soak in a large bath before an ample breakfast. Went around the main chateau in the town and I was still able to appreciate its exterior, it’s gardens and most of all, its views over the Loire. We stopped at the Orangeria for some wine and water. Then walked along the river to a wine tasting venue, but, unfortunately, the youth there rubbed us up the wrong way. On the way back to the hotel we bought salad rolls and fruit tarts for picnics. Also a bottle of wine. Then we sat out on the lawn and enjoyed these
.after lunch we walked down to the Loire and found a bar with good views, But David had to wait ages to purchase two glasses of wine with thumping bass music blaring. But he returned with the drinks still good humoured.
On the way back we had a lovely ice cream, mine Amaretto. Then a swim and supper out on the lawn
July 9
We walked to the huge market in the car park beside the Loire. This was really interesting, the French really do love their food. We then went over the bridge to the island, mainly occupied by a huge campground. We had a pleasant walk here along the river. Returning we abought two quiches in a delicatessen and stopped again for an ice cream. A siesta and then lunch on the lawn. At three we walked to the Chateau Luce where Leonardo da Vinci lived from 1516 to1519. As well as examples of all his inventions in part of the chateau, there was also a special exhibition of his anatomical prowess, demonstrated in his paintings. Although the grounds had no magical view along the Loire, they were interesting for all the gadgets that Leonardo had invented. Finally we had a drink there before returning to the hotel, painfully typing this diary,enjoying a swim and then supper outside again.
July 10th
A three hour journey south from Amboise to St. Priest les Fougeres and our annual three day stay with Gaynor and Vic, and their two dogs, Fina and Pepita. The meals were as good as always and Gaynor and I had a refreshing swim in their lake each early evening. They had at last bought a car, so David came to the old picturesque town of St. Yrieux on the Tuesday morning. Then on Wednesday morning just Gaynor and I went to La Coquille where we had a coffee with Sheila on her shop, such an interesting story about her father, killed at Salerno in 1942.
We left Gaynor and Vic on Thursday morning and had a pleasant ride through some good scenery to the Royal Station Hotel at Canfranc, including the final 8 kms in a tunnel. The station and hotel were opened in 1928 but fell into disuse when the line through to France was closed in 1970. The hotel was restored and reopened in 2020. We went for a walk around the ski resort after I had a short siesta. Ate in the hotel dining room, deiicious food
Left by 8.40 the next morning ( did not partakes of their 25 euro break Fast!), and had a pleasant run home of 6 hours