Another little pension place in the dead centre of Bilbao, poxy Alpen for breakfast again, with a twist of a Twix bar only one finger though, my mind racing “one finger of fudge is just enough to give the kids a treat” anyway I had a finger in my muesli this morning, how many people can say that! That’s me on stupid commercials all day, could be fun.

As I just mentioned right in the centre of Bilbao, there is a reason it was so cheap, bit of a theme going on here again, as we cycled through the misty Sunday morning, the girls who didn’t do so well last night still plying their trade, I must admit we got a few raised eyebrows as we wobbled passed the unlucky or maybe lucky girls, still standing at the corners.

Not for us we have some serious climbing to get on with. First out of the city, through the historical docklands of a very impressive place, then finally out of the city into the parklands, down to a great bay, lovely sandy beach, with nearly a fortnight in my old and weary legs, just a thought, soon got the legs pumping up the first climb of eight today, hey ho keep going. Climbs coming thick and fast, some little steep blighters, but it’s good we are doing them before the sun gets up.

Nice little stop in Castro-Urdiales, once again a lesson in the Basque etiquette all taken on board, but forgotten as the next climb comes, great lad though was very interested in what we were up to, then just said el loca, with a smile. Sun getting up now as the climbs do the same, the glistening Aylesham thighs sparkling in the Basque sunshine, quite ironic as we enter the old iron mining centre of northern Spain, Bingo in his element as we sit down for another drink, it is hot overlooking the old mine works. Took me an age to get him away from it, then I’m sure he changed the route we ended up all over the place through old tunnels up shale jitties, mate I was mined out! only because I could not stay upright on the old miners tracks. Nice little track, but so good to get back onto the proper roads

On we go passing the “Camino de Santiago signs, seems like so many people walking the pilgrimage, met a lovely, Anglo / Irish / America couple walking a bit of the route, they was so impressed we started off in Canterbury or near by if you want to be pedantic, no way were we on a pilgrimage, just a simple bike ride, sure they was suitable impressed.

On we went, the sun got hotter the legs got tired, but on we press, just two climbs to go, first one done in a breeze, nice shady tree-lined lane, little bit of respite through the little town of Treto, some sort of parade going on, funny how we always get caught up the weird and wonderful things people get up up to, sounded like the Scottish lad from Boston had relocated, big parade down the high street lead by three bagpipe players, did not look Scottish have to get the Ed to research that! [the Galician gaita is a type of bagpipe common to this part of Spain: Ed] followed by loads of guys in studded clogs, maybe the Dutch team have turned up as well, all good for us as we had another beer and watched it all go by.

Only 6 or so miles to go, with a bit of climb, nothing big about the climb just a bit hot and sticky, soon sort it out, with a breath of fresh air sweep into Hoznayo, little town just outside Santander, surprising busy, think we may be getting a bit of a following another wedding party, all quietly moved away when two sweaty Aylesham guys walked in, to be honest I was too knackered to raise a smile, just needed a cold beer and a rest.

Great that we were in such a small town, just next door to eat then bed, another great day, too tired to party, so the garlands will have to wait for another year.