Bilbao.....don't know what it was about, but was certainly unusual :-)

Day 14: Thursday 18th June 2015   -  San Sebastián (Donostia) to Bilbao

Today's Ks': 12k  Total for Trip: 963.25 ks'

I woke up around 08:00 and got myself organised and left the hostel to catch a train to Bilbao. The train decision was nothing to with weather but rather didn't fancy pushing my bike up loads of hills and a decision I was glad I took as I travelled in the train. I probably would still be out their pushing my bike :-)

Now, I can honestly say I got the best value for money ever as the train journey cost me €5.60 and I was travelling for almost two and a half hours......just amazing. Euskotren is the Basque train service and a pleasant journey I had, thank you guys.

On my way you could see the odd trekker walking the trails, on what I would imagine is, they are following the Camino. With their backpacks on they were using their poles to get them up. Some people thought that I was following it by bike as people were surprised when I told them that I wasn't heading for Santiago. I think I might just add it to my bucket list though.

Arriving in Bilbao I decided to drop my bike to the bike shop a day earlier ( I had arranged this a year in advance). However this proved a little harder than I had planned as my gps had me going around in circles, and getting strange looks from the locals.....as I was passing them a few times :-) Eventually some poor cyclist who stopped for water became my victim and playing the dumb tourist, he offered to bring me. However his chain broke on the way there and he wasn't a happy bunny any longer........in a lot of Spanish, he directed me with just a few directions, so don't know what he was saying for the rest .....exit stage left.

I eventually found it, and the guy in the shop was very helpful, although he had hardly any English, but we managed. Next stop was the hostel for tonight as I was a day early for my hotel. The hostel was nice and as look would have it I was sharing with an Irish brother and sister and her boyfriend (can't remember his nationality).

The two were cycling but were crying parts of the Camino and doing some stages only and taking time out.....they were doing around 50k when they were cycling. They too like the Irish couple I met earlier in the week had hired their bikes. That evening I just took a walk around the old town and then returned and relaxed.

Day 15: Friday 19th June 2015   -  Bilbao

Today's Ks': 0k  Total for Trip: 963.25 ks'

I woke around nine and had my breakfast before checking out and walking to my hotel for that eveing which was only around 500 metres away. As I was early I asked could I leave my bags there but luck was on my side and they had a room ready for me. I was situated right in the heart of the old town and I literally stepped out the front door into the buzz of all that was going on.

I spent all day and that evening walking around the city visiting the sights and below are some of my pictures to give you a feel of the city. Bilbao too was another one of those cities that you should visit, truly stunning. As it was the Basque region the weather is similar to ours....wet, a good bit but they have the heat too. I actually had to buy my first umbrella in years and the guy was making a killer on the tourists.....but I had my camera so needed to keep it dry.

Story continues after pics.......

Day 16: Saturday 20th June 2015   -  Bilbao to Dublin to Waterford

Today's Ks': 0k  Total for Trip: 963.25 ks'

Today was all about getting up early and getting to the bike shop to collect bike and get to the airport. My flight wasn't until 16:25 and 14:25 check in, but just didn't want ant hiccups. My taxi that I had arranged the night before met me at shop but the bike box wouldn't fit into his estate but he had great English and arranged for a friend of his to come and he waited with me. 

The other taxi arrived and the first taxi driver and I looked at each other and thought the same, it wasn't going to fit this taxi either but this taxi driver wasn't having any of it......he pulled both front seats as far as they would go and then we squeezed in, well actually just me as he was a small man. I felt like one of those makerel fillets in those tins, I was eating all week but at least I made it.

All was left was the long wait for the flight and it was only a half hour delayed which wasn't too bad....next stop Dublin. Here my friend Michael was meeting me and when I arrived he called to say he was outside....how could we mess this up.

Oh but we did....I was at terminal 2 and he was at terminal 1. Both of us were pointing out cars, buses and people who were near us and even buildings before the penny eventually dropped.......has all the makings of a Laurel and Hardy sketch. Finally all sorted and we hit the road but, oh know, this too couldn't go to plan.

Talking and talking the whole way down (and I mean the two of us were talking, not just me), I happened to look out and there to our right was the Curragh........we had missed our turn on the motorway lol :-) We eventually made it home and my adventure was officially over......back to reality.

Before I finish this last post......I want to thank all my family and friends, for their encouragement, support and help during my trip, it was very much and still is appreciated. 

My trip had it all, adventure, fun, frustration, anger, excitement and I would do it all again. I've learned loads and know what to do and what not to do. I would go alone again and equally with friends. I encourage each and every one of you to go do that dream you want to do.....

1981 or 82

2015 a few years later :-)

Thanks for reading......until my next adventure

Keep Smiling :-)

Day 13: Wednesday 17th June 2015 - Bayonne to San Sebastián (Donostia) Spain

San Sebastián (Donostia)

Day 13: Wednesday 17th June 2015   -  Bayonne to San Sebastián (Donostia) Spain

Today's Ks': 83.37k  Total for Trip: 951.25 ks'

After my few days rest I was ready to hit the road again and get moving. Looking out though, the weather was obliging at all. My plan for today was to head for Hendaye on the French/Spanish border.

With bike loaded, I waited for a good time in reception and decided, that's it I was going, and I did. Leaving Bayonne the traffic was heavy, and it remained this way for most of the time. It was just a constant flow of trucks and cars and to be honest at times, I really felt vulnerable. Along my way I met a German cyclist and we talked for a few minutes. He was doing a different route than myself to start but was heading the same way today. Along the road we met up a few times until Hendayne.

monument in Urrunge

On my way I passed though a lovely little town called Urrunge, where there was a small little food market. Nothing for my taste buds but I stopped here for a while just looking and watching the locals going about their business.

Eventually arriving safely to Hendayne, I saw one of the velo signs saying, end of velo and I followed it. Just ahead of me the police had the traffic slowed to one lane and in the other armed police were searching a car and the other officers were watching the occupants. As I was unsure where I was I pulled in to the side to get my bearings in the town.

Unable to ask anyone, as no one passed me....I went over to one of the officers who were all busy concentrating on their task. I approached one of them who wasn't a busy as the others and asked him for directions. Turning towards me with his machine gun across his chest he mumbled something to me.......I thought at first it might have been "well boy hows it going" but somehow I think it was something different :-) Another officer came over to me and was very nice said I was now in Spain and not France side so he was very helpful and gave me directions and in English too. The other officer can feck off if he thinks I'm sending him a Christmas Card.....he wouldn't be so tough without his machine gun :-)

walked most of this section for a few ks

As I was already in Spain and it was only lunch time, I decided to continue on to San Sebastián today rather than tomorrow. And while I think of it, the weather had broken on my way out and it was a fantastic day after all. Obviously I wasn't going to be taking the motorway, I was now on country roads that were climbing from a few percentage gradient to a mad percentage. It felt like I was walking, pushing the bike more then cycling.

Whoa Momma ! a down hil

Cycling and walking I kept going until I hit a small village (few houses) called Gurutze and turned right only to be faced with another climb. 

Pushing my bike I reached the top and there before me a downhill....whoa momma...let's get ready to roll.

What a beautiful downhill and although I din't go all out, it was a welcome relief and arriving at the bottom the gps shows off course. Not possible as there was no turn anywhere on way down. Ignoring it I pedal on and all that was ahead of me was an industrial area and a motorway to one side. 

Giving in, I turned around and started to make my way uphill before having to get off to walk. After a few metres, I thought to myself feck that for a game of soldiers and I turned around again and headed further back down the road only to realise again that I had no option but to turn around again and face that big hill I had come down.

Luckily for me I don't know how far up the hill there was a tiny little lane into my right and once I turned on to this the gps was back on track and I was away.  Before long I was on the outskirts of San Sebastián and it's excellent cycle tracks.

These tracks not only here but in all the bigger cities I've been in over the last two weeks are fantastic and it's great to know you have a safe place. 

As I neared the centre I started to come a long side the beach before hitting the centre itself. San Sebastián is my favourite city of the whole trip, it's just beautiful.

Tonight I stayed in a hostel as it wasn't much dearer than a camp site. I was in a four person dorm that was mixed. Found this unusual as this was my first ever stay in a hostel. But it was clean, dry, had wifi and I had a great craic with all the guests that evening as we sat around the kitchen. There was mainly Australians plus a German girl, couple of Americans and a Canadian, that I met.

Lucidly for me I had eaten, as every time one of them cookie it was even healthier than the one before........people eat green stuff, for real :-) It was a great evening and stayed up until we were hunted to bed by the reception guy.

Here's some views of the city

this young girl was on the rear rack pulling her school bag and as I passed there was another child on the front handlebars

That's it for today......

Keep smiling :-)

Day 09: Saturday 13th June 2015   -  La Rochelle 

Today's Ks': 0  Total for Trip: 858.14 ks'

After a hard day yesterday, I didn't wake until ten o'clock and I decided, after talking to a few friends, back home, that I'd be better to take two days off and get bike sorted (new tyres, tubes and nuts and bolts tightened). Luckily there was someone in reception so I booked room for the second night.

Returning to my room, I ended up falling back asleep until late in the afternoon. Getting up and I walked to the city centre, to find out about a bike shop, only to be told in the tourist office that there was one on the outskirts but that I wouldn't make in in time today and that they'll be closed on the Sunday and Monday :-(

No point worrying about it now, so I took a stroll around on what is a beautiful city and a most for people, at least once. The marina is just massive and magnificent with all sizes of yachts on offer, something for everyone.

 Walking around the old town, I stooped  in a little English café....called Little London, where I had a nice chat with the owner, who was now living here with his French girlfriend and two kids......the cheesecake was delicious......or so I heard haha :-)

In the port area I spotted  a couple who were touring, and I approached them for a chat. It turned out they were from Ireland, he was Irish and she was Polish a lovely couple from Dublin. They had hired the bikes and were cycling around for a week. They had done this before and had found it easier hiring the bikes and panniers.....don't know if that would be for me, but it's another option.

Here's a quick video of the port area

I walked back to hotel and lazed for the evening after that.

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Day 10: Sunday 14th June 2015   -  La Rochelle 

Today's Ks': 0  Total for Trip: 858.14 ks'

it is raining....mightn't look it :-)

Unfortunately the weather changed and it was raining so didn't get to go anywhere today. 

Again, after talking to friends I decided to stay another night and hop on train to make up the distance on the Monday and look for a bike shop on the Tuesday.

The only things I did today, other than rest, was to dry out my tent and do my washing.

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Day 11: Monday 15th June 2015   -  La Rochelle to Bayonne

Today's Ks': 4.5  Total for Trip: 862.64 ks'

Rising early and getting sorted I cycled in to the old town and then looked for the train station. My back tyre was soft but it got me to the station. It was around 07:30 and unfortunately there was no train until 11:00. Ticket office opened at 08:00 and I paid my ticket, €54, but it was a four hour plus journey.

train to Bordeaux

Eventually the time came around and I boarded the train, which wasn't packed but on the change over in Bordeaux, I nearly didn't get on with bike as it was packed......but I squeezed the bike in.

By the time I arrived in Bayonne the back tyre was flat, so I had to walk over 5k pushing the bike and what made it awkward is that the tyre kept coming off, so I had to walk real slow.

Luckily about a kilometre from the hotel, there was a Decathlon store that was open and they fix bicycles.

With my one word French I managed to explain to the guy what I needed and was eventually sorted, before making my way to the hotel. This hotel stay was unplanned but as I had to get the bike sorted I booked it before I left La Rochelle. It was after six by now, so I got something to eat and that was my day.
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Day 12: Tuesday 16th June 2015   -  Bayonne

Today's Ks': 5.24  Total for Trip: 867.88 ks'

bathroom full of wet gear

Today was my planned stay in Bayonne and as I was ahead of schedule by taking train I decided I'd pack up bike and drop gear to the hotel Id be staying in tonight and then head off on bike to Biaritz. 

However, the weather again had other ideas.......it was lashing down. In fact, by the time I reached the other hotel, only 5.24 k away, I was absolutely soaked and there was a puddle around me in the reception area. They let me in to my room early where I tried to dry my clothes and gear out 

After lunch I went to take a walk but only made it two blocks before turning back as I was just getting too wet. The ironic thing was, back home the weather was fantastic.....as I was been reminded by my so called friends :-)

A room with a view.......of clouds. It eventually cleared by around six.

The great thing was that at least tomorrow, I'd be back on the bike and I'd be well refreshed.

To be continued................................

Keep smiling :-)