………On a recent visit we wandered through a park, adjacent to the Cathedral. The park is very pretty and laid out like a medieval village with mannequins going about their daily lives. We wandered along the paths, piped Christmas music played and it was crisp and cold. Now… I’m somewhat of a Christmas cynic but as we went into a natural cave, there was the nativity. I must admit I had a little ‘moment’.
Vitoria is the capital of the Basque Country in Spain and an affluent, beautiful city/town. Northern Spain doesn’t have a flamenco tradition but makes up for it visually. The thing about Spain though – mealtimes!! As visitors you have a slow start and breakfast, then you think – “ah… a late lunch would be nice” and then notice that all the shops and restaurants have closed and apart from drinks and tapas in a bar you can’t get a meal until 9 pm!! By that time you are ready to eat the table, the waiter and anything else that takes your fancy. I don’t know how we get into this trap time and time again…..slow learners I guess!!!!
Bilbao was different to Vitoria but equally visual. The Guggenheim is there and is the most astonishing building. One of the outdoor exhibits is an enormous dog, planted with annuals several times a year. We asked the concierge at our hotel “why”?
“Oh – that’s Pooopie” he said. We decided that “Pooopie” must have been someone’s famous dog rather like “Greyfriars Bobby”. So off we went feeling quite knowledgeable. We were rather miffed to discover that “Pooopie” actually meant “puppy” and then we noticed that for some inexplicable reason every second dog owner in Bilbao owned a West Highland Terrier…….hence “Pooopie”
Fortunately on our last day we came across a market that was happy to feed us at a time that suited us…….delicious ethnic food – (not the barbeque - although it smelled and looked great!)
We arrived back in the UK in the middle of the night to minus 5, but the thrill of being met by Rory and Katie warmed the cockles of our hearts and now we are looking forward to a “White Christmas” in the company of family. Now that makes sense…………..xxx
