Fri 30 March 5° Bay of Biscay - Portsmouth - Wickham

Woke to a smooth, calm sea after a bumpy night, but we survived.

Upstairs again to deck cafe for cooked breakfast  €4 each, as we got closer to land the rain started.

Arrived in Portsmouth to heavy rain, through passport control, got passports stamped and drove in to Port Solent, the car park was full so plan B drove to the Roebuck Inn at Wickham half an hour further inland to the pub stop where we are meeting Heather and Ian tomorrow.

Tony went in an booked dinner for 6.30, she said they were very busy so booked for the rest of us for tommorow.

We enjoyed our meals but have been spoilt by prices in Spain, thought they were a bit pricey average £15 but very tasty and £4 for a pint.

Ian and Heather had already booked a table for tomorrow so cancelled ours.

Thurs 29 March 9° Bilbao - Ferry End of Spain and Portugal Adventures

Well we can honestly say we know each other a lot better now after 17 months 24/7 in close proximity of a 7.4m x 2.7m x 3.1m space and we are still talking to each other haha.

A dry morning with easy drive to the port, sun shining for our farewell to Spain. Port inspector came to check Bessie for hidden passengers......Had lunch Tony bought a couple of tasty treats from the cafe.

Judder education on board over the ramp and into our cabin 8031. We went up on top deck level 10 saw the last few moho's boarding.  Then we went down to level 9 which was more sheltered to watch as we sailed away.

Down to level 7 to the shop, we missed out last time on way over, they have specials and all sold out when we checked it out. So went down early, had a wine tasting and decided on 6 x La Vieille Ferme  Blanc  €19,  and 1 x Vodka + 1 x Baileys €30.

Super showers, hot and good pressure....but shock horror...first large mirror for 17 months eeekkk...not a pretty sight. Forgot to pack a brush so interesting wet hair do....haha.

The ferry started rocking quite a bit, so went up top to cafe for Beef Bourguignon, mash and peas €18 incl 2 beers. The cafe had plastic curtains along the railings so sheltered but got the fresh air.

After dinner we went down to explore the different areas, decided on the Planet Bar, joined in the quiz game for a bit of fun.

We watched the night draw in as the blue faded  and the sea and sky were black.

Back to the cabin, it was more bumpy now like a roller coaster but managed to get to sleep, Tony felt it more than I did and he didn't have a very restful night.

Wed 28 March 12° Bilbao

Very noisey broken night, campervan doors sliding,  others banging shut. Never mind we woke to a beautiful dry, sunny day. Wrote blog, Tony went to talk to British couple in campervan,  not self contained so have to stay in  camps. Packed bags for ferry tomorrow, after lunch caught the bus back down to town, visited the Basque Museum which showed the history of Basque, but unfortunately nothing in English, but well put together. Then  to the railway station which is condidered  to be the most picturesque in Europe,  featuring a large stained glass window showing the history of Basque which tied in with the Museum.

We had coffee in plaza Nueva and met 2 Irish lads who had just walked part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela to raise money for an emergency helicopter for their hospital, raised £5000 this week and will be back in July to raise some more. We were amazed how unprepared they were, walking up into the snow covered pyrenees no compass, gps, suitable clothing.....absolutly mad.....but they survived.

Then we had late Pintxos and walked to Carrefour for final Spanish supplies. Pouring with rain as we came out, met with British ladies from the camp who are touring together, ex work colleagues,  one is now retired and lives in Pembrokeshire the other still working in  London, lives not far from Streatham. Both on their own so went halves in the motorhome so they could go travelling. Told them about search for sites. Then a Scots couple also on the bus back to  camp, told them about search for sites as well both couple just starting out so I am sure that will help them.

Tues 27 March 11° Bilbao

Cloudy morning, caught the no. 58 bus €1.30 each for half an hour ride down to the Old Town. The sky cleared and turned into a lovely day. We walked to the other side of the river which seemed to curl around the many bends past a little market with various tasty offerings, then on to the Tourist Information Center.

A very pleasant 20 minute walk along the river, we came to the glass bottom pedestrian bridge which they had to cover with matting as too many people slipped and were injured.

Then the creative sculpture like building of the Guggenheim museum, lots of sculptures around the outside including a giant dog covered in  fresh flowers.

There was a cafe overlooking the building, the river and a large children's play area. We had a very nice coffee and slices of 2 different fresh cakes .

We got senior concessions into the Guggenheim  €7.50 each incl audio guide. We were told no photos so put device in the back pack in the lock up, good security, bags got scanned and put in locker . But saw lots for people taking photos.

Three floors of open spaces, a huge sculpture of curved, sloping Steel freestanding with spaces between, narrow or large to walk through representing waves occupied a large area on the ground  floor, very impressive to give the perspective of space.

Upstairs via a glass elevator there was an exhibit by Henri Michaux who said he was inspired to create these pieces while in a drug induced hallucinogenic state. Say no more.

Another room displayed a large canvas painted completely black, another even larger half orange and the other half red.

The Abstract Art in here was beyond my limited understanding.

Other exhibits and displays were thought provoking and  in keeping with  the Guggenheim  modern theme.

We were both feeling sore after all our walking so decided to catch the trams back to the old city. A very friendly, helpful woman came and helped us with the ticket machine €1.50 for both of us. Very clean, quite way to travel.

Back in the narrow streets of the original 7 in the old city we found a few places with Pintxos,  we selected 4 samples to share with 2 different Basque craft beers, all of which were very tasty. First plate was seafood filled cannaloni, next a mix of squid, baby octopus, potatoes with caramelised onions and a black pancake filled with veges mouse. Next up was a thick round of beef in sauce with a few chips unfortunately it was only seared on the outside and raw in the middle....no blood though which was a good thing, but a bit too rare for our taste. Lastly a vege wrap with asparagus, aubergine, capsicums and other mix vege with a 3 cheese ball and sweet chilli sauce.

After eating and drinking our local delicacies we walked  to the Cathedral of Santiago on the way was a frozen yoghurt shop so bought our desert, Tony in a cone mine in a cup with honey glazed walnuts. On arrival at the Cathedral The Guarda  were there with 3 armed officers. Got talking to them, one spoke excellent English he was very interested in our trip and was pleased to here we were let off the ticket for a warning in Slovinia. He said that here in Basque country and Catalonia it is like Wales and Scotland in UK, separate but not independent.

It was nearly 5pm now and decided the €5 each to go inside the Cathedral at this time we couldn't do it justice, so looked around the outside and walked back to the bus.  Stopped in Carrefour for a few provisions, Jameson  was €13.60. Back on the bus home at 7pm still light with clocks going forward. A long but enjoyable day.