Straight ahead

 Yesterday I mentioned we were going to Ferrol because of its vague connection to my father in law. The fact Pepin would make the least likely naval officers is worthy of examination. Born with the Picos de Europa between him and the briney this was nothing compared to the fundamental issue that, all in all, being in the navy would mean actually having people tell him what to do. This was never really an idea he could get his head round. He really didn’t get on with the church, people who knew they could tell him what to do, and spent much of his later life shouting at Basque Bishops when they appeared on the telly. Apparently he was known as Pepin the atheist because he only went to mass when on church parade. That he was involved, in some way, with electronics, would amaze anyone who saw the wiring in his home.


I feel an anecdote is now called for, As it came from Pepin it must be treated as ‘citation needed.’ It appears that the Castilian navy were celebrating some anniversary and so put a small flotilla to sail around the coast. Each night a young officer was sent ashore to be dined and wined by the locals and enjoy the company of whoever was available. Very soon his weaker brethren proved unequal to this. Pepin ‘took one for the fleet’ and spent a few happy times doing carousing duty every night and sleeping it off till the next eve. It may even be true. What is certain is that his naval uniform was a charm enhancer and those charms could be used to removed the underpinnings from a nun. That he pounced on my mother in law is to be expected. That she ran away was such a thing as he had never encountered. The chase was on.


We are wiggling a bit then heading out on the Estrada de Castela. It is one of those roads which begin with promising high and mighty apartments and slowly tails off to the kind of shops which can’t quiet make it in the heady spirit of competition found in the centre of the city. On our way there we will pass two bike shops, almost face to face with each other. Bici Emocion gets 4.9 stars from 55 reviews - high praise indeed. Lukas said ‘On a bike trip I had a problem and needed quick help. The service was extremely good. We communicated using Google Translate since I don't speak Spanish. Very friendly mechanic. He also showed me tricks on how to maintain my bike on the trip.’ https://www.biciemocion.es/


Further out os the Libreria Nova bookshop. It opens every morning 8.30 weekdays, when it closes at 1.30 and reopens 5 till 8. It does 9.0-1 on weekends. It identifies as ‘woman owned’. Ricardo said ‘Amazing customer services, I presume they were the owners, super friendly and very helpful.’


We end the day at O Fogar da Carne. It is a restaurant. Yes, I have liked it on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057213079332&paipv=0&eav=AfaAg1SGKqNXrdVwwGrkAMCZ_nV26lGz2LFwjW5nZxF_NRvjsbedUkmzFP6BnbU9YZ4 The menu goes up regularly I include with one from mid April. M reckoned. ‘Spectacular meat in Naron!! Best raw material cooked masterfully! Sometimes super crowded and it takes a bit to get your meat cooked… although it is worth it!!’



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Much a do about something

Image
  In North Lincolnshire there is an OS square which is all but empty,  In a single corner stretches a few metres of power cables to spoil the virgin whiteness.  Today’s walk is not so blessed with flat calm.  We will see trees.  We will see ups.  Views are compulsory.  Houses aren’t.  Let's talk about Asturias in the years from 718 to 757. In 711 the full force of the Islamic tide swept from North Africa into Visigothic Spain. At the Battle of Guadalete King Roderic and much of the nobility were killed and the Iberian Peninsula collapsed before the all conquering crescent.  The thing is, Asturias is a long way from the main body of Spain. It is a bit wet and more to the point lacking the plunder which was the way of paying the Army of the Conquest.  The Caliphate’s hold on Asturias was tenuous to say the least.  Enter  Pelagius. Pelagius has many myths swirling around him and a very butch Victorian statue in Gijon.  Accord...
Read more

In which a Roman Bridge and a Funeral Parlour are reviewed.

Image
  We are rising again. We are rising 20 of your earth metres today. We will be 818m above the level sea. We are about at the highest point in the Cheviot Hills. We cross the Rio Porma and into Villarente and Puente Villarente. Both these twin settlements, lurking along the roadside, have generally grown in size since 2000.   https://www.turismocastillayleon.com/en/art-culture-heritage/great-routes/way-saint-james/puente-villarente First we must cross the Roman Bridge. Coyotuco is back with a five star review: A beautiful BRIDGE with a lot of history but it is not PEDESTRIAN. For pedestrians they have made a PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY right next to it. We are passing by the Artesanias Luyma so let us gaze at their ceramic goodness. Let us wonder  https://www.artesaniasluyma.com/categorias/pereruela/ While we are here and we are passing the Tanatorio Camino de Santiago let us visit this 39 reviewed funeral home. It gets an average of 4.9 stars.  https://www.antamontalvo.es/esq...
Read more

Mini Pieces of Supposed tuna

Image
  Pina de Ebro has something for everyone who enjoys the architecture of Spanish pueblos.  It has the tiny lanes, on which houses have been rebuilt for generations without a care for the needs of the modern motorist.  We have the pathways which have been tiled over but once were dirt tracks.  We have the modern suburban developments of low rise houses and 80s hopefully aspiring shacks.  First all, however, we have a park. One thing we noticed, especially with a small boy in tow, was the number of parks with interesting play equipment.  This is because, in Spain, people seem to like children.  This does make them a semi-public property and people feel free to indulge them with sweetmeats and pass comments. ‘I think sucking thumbs makes children look ugly’ said one elderly woman.’ My Spanish for ‘well desiccated prune face, no one asked you’ deserted me.  The play equipment is in the Plaza Pilarin Artigas.  Honestly I’ve looked and was giving u...
Read more