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Bilbao to Portugalete- Basque-ing in Spanish …

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Bilbao came alive last night! Thousands packed the central park to support Spain in the World Cup Final against one of its former colonies ‘ Don’t cry for me Argentina’  that’s for sure. Everyone - well except for the small minority of brave Argentine expats and rogue bands Basque separatists -  had an absolute ball, me included! Later in the local bar next to my hostel, I met a bunch of new best friends from all over the world - I faked it big time -  about my appreciation of the  nuances of red and yellow cards held aloft like performance scores in a Shakespearean tragedy where actors reel in agony at the mere prospect of being interfered with. Thankfully everyone went home, joyful. My day started much earlier - Departing Ireland and landing back in Spain. It felt good to be back in Iberia. Customs were friendly and the airport bus was free. Locals queued at liquor outlets for the night ahead. I went on a pre-game excursion in search of a wine bar. On the way I pas...
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Wexford, Ireland - Flying family visit

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Most of my ancestors came from Ireland (and some from . . . England 🤫), plus I have family there so I decided to drop over for a few days.  Shortly after taking off from Santiago de Compostela, we crossed the Galician coast - next landfall - Ireland just near Waterford. A beautiful patchwork of farmland fields spread across the horizon. Arrival at Dublin Airport required some reorientation - the locals speak English (sort of) and keep to the left (most of the time) I took the bus south along the coast to Wexford, convinced it was driven by somebody I used to know . . . Thanks Tim ☺️ My brother met me. We drove to his place to be greeted by my sister in law. It was lovely to arrive and settle in. I slept like a log! Next morning I was up for some sightseeing. There are centuries of history here in Wexford. Some ruins . .  And some living history - Hook Lighthouse, built by the Normans in the 12th century and still burning bright. With an almost functional ATV (All Terrain Vehi...
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A Coruna - By the Sea

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The coastal port city of A Coruna in Galicia has seen it all - from the arrival of the Celts in centuries BC, to 20th century nationalists during the Spanish Civil War. The Romans built a lighthouse in the first century; it has been shining ever since - the oldest working lighthouse in the world. Julius Caesar dropped by a hundred years or so before that. At the end of 16th century, Maria Pita took her mortally wounded husband’s weapons and continued fighting Francis Drake’s flotilla of would-be invaders and sent them packing.  The plaza major is named after her, and the annual festival in her honour starts this week. A Coruna still trades many of the things that Drake was keen on. It is a vibrant place. The day I arrived there was a surf lifesaving competition.  Beach flags, board paddling, surf swimming . . . I felt at home. I have been swimming a few times; and Mama Mia is opening soon. There is grand architecture,   along with hectares of bleak multi-storey apartments...
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