i have rode this route before in 2016 when I cycled all the way home, on that day I didn't stop at Llanes other than for lunch before going on all the way to Santander - a ride of 120 miles in heavy rain and wind.
Let's just say it wasn't the best days cycling I've had.
So I hoped to see more of the countryside this time and as I left Gijon there was light cloud cover and I followed 5 cyclists up the first climb of the day. There were 7 appreciable climbs today and there was very little flat - I was loving it. the legs were strong and it was effortless. In no time I reached Villaviciosa which is on an inland estuary where a fire had been lit near an old building and there was a thin blue haze running the length of the estuary.
Near Colunga the mountains and forests were mist covered and up the mountain 8 fires had been set and again the smoke was stretching across the whole valley adding to the murk. I took some moody pictures and soon passed an old church at Berbes where one last climb ensued before a great hairpin descent into Ribadesella for lunch.
One last climb out of Ribadesella and I was closing in on Llanes fast so I took a detour along the coast and found some nice quiet beaches an estuaries at Barra, Niembru and Celoriu before a fast 5 miles straight to my hotel which is lovely, overlooking a small beach between a headland with great walks and the harbour.
There's an old town full of bars and restaurants 200yards the other way as well - I could get to like Llanes !