Day 13 Wednesday, Wednesday Elizondo
and Baztan Valley
Baztan bread, toasted, jam, cheese and coffee to start the
day. Mostly sunny outside and forecasted to reach 62F. Although it dropped
overnight to 44F. We are targeted to pickup Asun at 1245 for our short trip to
Pamplona to see the family there, including the 3 week old Julia. Asun was
waiting at ground level in her apartment building when we pulled up. She has
only been to Nekane’s apartment twice before and never to see the new babe yet.
The tunnels on the Pamplona pass had been closed from Jun
until just last week, something about the extractor fans insufficient in the airflow
capabilities. So all traffic had been using the original highway over the
mountain pass complete with switch backs and numerous curves. I cannot imagine
the mountain pass with the traffic there is nowadays, it was bad enough when we
lived here and had to crawl up behind the underpowered Pegaso trucks, with
switch backs and narrow roads. A lot more people are now travelling to Pamplona
for work and it must have been a very frustrating trip!
In just 35 minutes , however, we were on the outskirts of
the city and Carmen Garmin began her antics of confusing instructions
supposedly because of roadworks. That girl needs an attitude adjustment! We ultimately found the park adjacent to
their apartment the next challenge was to find a parking space. Asun stood at
the door as we drove off in the hopes of finding a parking fairy and a space
for our car. Bingo, first trip around the corner and here was a hug space
coupled with a handicap slot too. Mission accomplished we set off on foot to
their apartment.
Loles was helping and Nekane looked radiant and lovely.
Fernando had gone to work for a half day stint and to visit his father. Yesterday
he had spent at the hospital with his mother as father had hernia repair
surgery which went well. He will be out of hospital and home soon. We enjoyed a
lovely lunch spread with all sorts to tempt the palette. Salad, pasta, olives,
cheese, cold cuts , roasted sausage, cheese rolls, pesto, and Carbonara sauce.
Fernando arrived and joined us for lunch and we sent a very
pleasant time remembering Miguel and celebrating the many times we have been
together as family. For they are truly our family and our friendship has
spanned 50 years. How fortunate are we to have forged such a lasting bond with
these wonderful people? Together we have
celebrated marriages and births and mourned those who have passed. Asun and I
were pregnant at the same time in 1972! David had reminded us that we have
known 5 generations of this family! We have been blessed indeed.
Julia was fed and
enjoyed a nap before the adults decided to take lots photos, taking turns
holding the tiny infant and smiling. She took it in stride and made no fuss at
all. She is quite beautiful, tiny and perfect like a little doll! Adorable!
Finally, it was time to find the car and head back to the
Baztan valley. Carmen woke up and directed us out of town and onto the N121A to
Elizondo along the way the sun set; the skies opened and with full darkness and
rain reflecting the light it was very hard to see the roadway as the paint
striping needs to be updated. Once in the tunnels it became smooth sailing and
by 8:00 pm we were in Elizondo. We dropped off Asun and then the hunt was on to
find a pintxo or two to stave off hunger until the next meal! It was slim
pickings my dears, slim pickings, but finally we spotted that the Bar Labayen
was open! Success! A small snack and then home to bed.
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