The first of Spain

 We are still going round the airport. This was the place I first stepped foot on Spanish soil, thanks to a friend of Abigail’s having won a competition and selling us two Iberia tickets cheaply, We landed in the dark. It was October. What I remembered was sodium light and thickness of the humid air as we wizzed passed the horreos.



The airport was first planned in 1932 by some people keen of all things flight-based. By 1937 flights were coming in. A new terminal was built in 1969, this was remodelled in 1993, just in time for me to arrive - which was decent of them. The latest workings were done in 2011. Iberia fly to Bilbao and Madrid; Vueling around Europe . The flights are seasonal, to match the demands of tourists and pilgrims. August is the top month, with 400,000, February has a mere 195000. In 2023 a record 3.5 million came through the place. You may wish to know that this year has started slightly down on last [214,616 to 199,165 in January].



Most passengers are from Spain [2.7 million]. The UK comes second [241,000] amd Switzerland 3rd [185,000]. We turn away from the airport and through San Paio. It has a splendid boxy church and the 12km guest house.


Nipping under the SC-11 we follow the woodland path to enter A Lavacolla. It is one of those haphazardly grown places with houses appearing and defining roads which vary from tiny paths to proper throughways. It naturally has some bars and much accommodation. The Alberque A Fabrica is about £40 a night It gets 4.9 stars, not bad from 59 reviews. Victoria MC Carties said ‘Absolutely stunning renovation of a historical building. Perfect pitstop. Individual beds meaning it was very cheap, you're provided with a locker & shared bathrooms, kitchen, lounge and even beautiful outdoor area. A little sad to have only slept here for ~5 hours, we left for the airport at 4am. Very easy to return the locker key. About a 30-40 minute walk to the airport, in a straight line! It looks like a fab location for longer stays too, cute pubs and other amenities. Visitors were lovely and friendly.


With that, we are on our penultimate day tomorrow so better get some rest.



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