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| Backstreets of Orio |
After the Parador breakfast buffet it was time to check out, get directions for the best route down into town and on our way towards Logroño.
Very difficult making our way not on the paid motorway (toll road).Taking the toll road would be easy but Paul thinks the old roads are more interesting! There are so many numbered roads and you have to be careful! So we stopped for a late lunch outside of Haro before continuing on to Bilbao.
As we entered Bilbao the
city was getting ready for the annual midnight marathon run beginning at 1900
hrs. Our Sercotel Hotel was just across the river in the old town. As it was
615 PM we crossed the bridge and made our way to drop off the luggage and to
get instructions for the public parking garage back across that bridge and on
the other side of the marathon runners course. OMG the marathon was going right
in front of our hotel so most roads were closed! All Parking garages were
COMPLETO because many of the runners had parked their cars already for the
night.
San Sebastian beach
Then once the runners started the bridges were closed to ALL cars until well past midnight. We drove around for 3.5+ hours until we could find the second Sercotel hotel to inquire about parking the car.
OK, having driven all around in the center of Bilbao, in
crawling traffic looking for a parking garage which was NOT Completo, Jane was
very concerned about our luggage and not being checked in, so, Paul pulled into
a cop space with flashing lights and unloaded Jane to walk back across the
river. It was a long walk but the receptionist Iker was most helpful. We were
on the 6th floor but the elevator only went to the 5th!
Iker took pity on me, checked us in and carried the bags up to the room. Then I
had to walk back to find Paul ! Couldn’t remember exactly where he was so
called him again and there he was!
San Sebastian beach
We set off again to find the Sercotel Coliseo. Found it! Our very best guide was Google maps on my phone! They were most helpful and thus 4+ hrs after arrival we were finally rid of the car!
The hotel called us a cab and in a flash we were back at our hotel at 1245 tired, hungry, exhausted! A cold beer and bag of potato chips and we were ready for bed….to crash no less! It was 2am before we got to bed.
Our trip has not started out well! 
Dave & Joyce having a rest
Sunday am after showers we went downstairs for breakfast with great zeal. A coolish day we decided to have a walk about in the old town’s plaza where crowds were milling around in warm sunshine.
Bars lined the four sides of the plaza. Crowds of families with small children were enjoying the warm sunshine playing on tricycles and scooters. We wandered around, did some people watching and finally sat in the full sunshine to have a cold beer and wine.
Later on we found the Bar Victor for pintoxs. Lunch in the plaza where Jane had lamb chops and Paul an entrocote with fries and a red pepper. Then it was time for siesta and a little blog time.
Later that evening we ventured across the street where
there were at least 10 stalls all selling books, some were different languages,
some were college text books, and others just plain easy reading novels for
sale, most were paperbacks. Opposite this circle was a fancy building, the theater.
Mount Igeldo Hotel above the beach
You might be busy, but what a joy to be with such wonderful friends and family.
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