Santander - land of free anchovies - in July

 Yesterday we ended with the Cabo Machichaco catching on fire.  When 40 tons of dynamite went up almost 600 people were killed. 18 more were killed the following year when a salvage diver set off 11 tons more of the stuff. Today we will start with the Great Fire of 1941.  Only one person was killed, a fire fighter from Madrid, but after 15 days  14 hectares of urbanscape, amounting to 400 buildings were destroyed including the cathedral, town hall and palace if the Marquis of Villatorre.



The first didn’t seem to hold back the population that went from 79,000 in 1930 to 100,000 by 1850. It peaked at 191,000 in the 1990s before easing back to 172,000 today, partly because of the move to suburban and rural commuting pueblos.  9% of the populace are foreign, a third of whom come from Rumanian, Columbia and Peru.  198 are British 


Santander is crammed into the southern slopes of the peninsula and it is going to feel increasingly canyon like as we go on.  Google describes Diferente as a Gourmet Grocer store.    https://www.diferente.es/  The website offers 2 cans of Mingo anchovies free.  It says

‘Why should you take advantage of this opportunity?

  1. Because it is only valid during this month of July

  2. Because it is a unique opportunity to try anchovies of unquestionable quality.

  3. Because you choose what to do with the two free cans of anchovies: offer them to a friend, share them with your loved ones or give yourself the treat you deserve.

  4. Because any of the packs in which you get two cans as a gift have free shipping

  5. Because your purchase also has an additional surprise gift.


Remember, only this month of July.’




As it's October we won’t but it is a nice thought.


The Sombreros Albero sell hats, as you would expect.  I know this because I have bought a beret there.  They were jolly nice people, helpful to a man with few words of Spanish, none of which were useful.  They get an average 4.9 stars from 55 reviews.    They have a one star review and I will give you it and the answers.

Julio ‘I had always wanted to go in but the shop assistant judged you with her eyes. I decided to go in. I am a hard-working boy and the discredited treatment I received in relation to a purchase I wanted to make could not be because I have been treated in a very despotic way in that store. . I remind them that they have to sell and if they don't need to sell, closing is an option to avoid generating that displeasure in people, we go with the best ways, it is not worth it that we are not right now.’

Reply ‘Hello Julio, good morning, if we are characterized by something, it is good customer service, both in treatment and in advice. I perfectly remember that you were waiting a little while we served another client and then you showed me a photo of the product you were using. searching, I told you that we didn't have what you wanted and that you would find it better in a sports store. I even told you which store to go to, all with the education and correctness with which we treat all customers, we didn't even look. We don't judge anyone badly, I assure you that. Your review is not only unfair but also uncertain because I have served you well and I honestly do not understand the reason for this comment. Thank you so much. ‘


To counter this Jono wrote ‘Ideal place for a replacement sun hat. Very friendly staff and a pleasure to visit.’  I endorse that message.



We end the day at the Museum of Prehistory and Archeology of Cantabria.  https://www.museosdecantabria.es/  It is my favourite museum.  It beat the Museum of Caatalan life, which had held the title since 1999, which had in turn held it from the Science Museum.  I like museums in which things have been recreated and you have buttons to push. This doesn’t have buttons but it does have the last few hundred thousands years so shape.

Early on in your wanderings you sit in a room.  It has various screens and you can watch the development of the land, the flora and fauna.  During Ice Ages the lights get a lot of blue in them and the air conditioning maxes out.  During the warmer interglacials the heating pumps up.  It is creative and fun and I liked it a lot.  That is before you get into all the artefacts.  I really want to go back.


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