Caves and Canoes

 By gum we have a lot to get through so be better set to it.  First, we are going to a supermarket.  I love supermarkets abroad.  You can interact with the similar, mildly different and just down right ‘cultural’  More importantly, no one need speak to you so you can engage without the horror of interaction.  This is an Asturian ‘cut out the landscape and bung on a shop’ type.  We visited this one.  It was often full of groups of lads - usually three - buying beer and water.  This mystery will be explained later.  Alimerka declare themselves LGBTQ+ friendly and why not.  A week ago PK said ‘Well-stocked supermarket with friendly staff.’  Pako said a month ago ‘We were at the ribadesella campsite and we found it to make purchases.It is a large facility with variety, it has been a good place for us to make   purchases, the friendly staff, it will undoubtedly be our reference place when we are there on vacation.’ I wonder if he had two friends.

We are moving into Ribadesella.  Its permanent population is just over 5000 - it seems bigger. It sits on the Sella River and is crammed into the valley mouth. Flourished because it was a port and later a holiday resort. The whole town thing became an established thing in the 13th century. It went through the usual things, fishing fleets, Napoleon’s chaps being beastly and, eventually, a bridge.  The first, wood bridge, was built in 1865. It was replaced with an iron one in 1898 - which was destroyed in 1937 and replaced in 1940 with a concrete one.

From the supermarket we pass the Urbanizacion Monte Somos, which has its head on the land and its feet on a spur of land stuck between the hills and the sea.  We are going to ignore cafes and shops and head for the bridge. Just before we cross it we will will gaze south.  Round the banks of the estuary are one of the crowning glories of North Spain - its painted caves,   There really isn’t space to fit anything but they manage a road and some buildings. They also have the entrance to the Cuevona de Ardines and the Centro de arte Rupestre Tito Bustillo.  https://www.centrotitobustillo.com/  The caves were settled between 10 and 30,000BC  The figures include deer, horses and the like. There is also a human figure which is both male and female.

Across the bridge we go.  The thig about rivers in Asturias is that people want to race down them.  In 1930 someone came up with the bright idea that a quick paddle from Arriondas to the sea was a bit of a lark.  In 1994 1400 boats took part.  We were there about the time of the descent. The flat lands become overwhelmed with tents.  Often occupied by three chaps, one of whom owns a car - and two friends he goes shopping with.  http://descensointernacionaldelsella.org/?lang=en 

Turning south we will pass the Guardia Civil.  We haven’t been into one for a while.  Eduardo was moved to write much two years ago,  ‘The balconies of the Casa Cuartel homes display regional and local flags. There remain, because they have been dismantled, few institutions that represent all Spaniards. One of them is the Civil Guard. It is not good that this particularist, regionalist spirit, which those flags represent, takes root in an armed force that must be at the service of Spain, neither more nor less. On the other hand, these homes are not private, but belong to the Corps and are enjoyed by their occupants in usufruct. What is put on the balconies says, good or bad (as in this case) about the Institution and not only about the family that lives there.’  No one else wrote anything.

Ribadesella has a station terminal.  It has a cafe.  It is reviewed but Carlos has other things on his mind four days ago.  ‘Hello, I'm the one with the Portuguese man-of-war bite in my ear yesterday, I was discharged from the hospital in the afternoon, and it doesn't hurt almost at all, thank you very much for everything, especially Noemi, the nurse who helped me. accompanied, the pain was unbearable, be careful with these bugs, do not wash with fresh water because it multiplies the effects and try to remove the remains of the tentacles as soon as possible with salt water and tweezers, I already learned it well! Thank you!’

We are now out of town and so end the day.