DAY 7, 01 November Thursday: Puente
Viesgo:
A Spanish Bank Holiday today
which is our daughter’s birthday as well. Must be in her honor! Happy Birthday
sweetie!
There are ancient caves only 1k
from here but as it was a holiday we didn’t go. Not sure I was up for the
walking anyway my feet being kind of numb. So still refreshed and relaxed from
all of the water jets and sprays in the Spa, we had breakfast then off to the
coastal port of Santander to explore. Stopped for a coffee and people watching
opposite the port and marina. Drove to who knows where, just followed the
traffic actually and found the local cementario which was crowded beyond belief!
Today is the day to honor one’s family members who
are gone. Kind of like the Dia de Los Muertes in Mexico but a little more
subdued. There are flower stalls set up and everyone visits their family crypt
laden with flowers. It is a lovely tradition I think, to pay your respects all
together.
We finally found the promenade which
stretches along the whole beach area for miles with lovely gardens and parks
and benches. There were a lot of people out walking with their children and
dogs. There were surfers from nearby surf schools braving the cold water and “hanging ten”! Runners, bikers and actual beach
walkers with their dogs just out enjoying the day and let me tell you it was
not that warm! Now I know why a recent study put Spain as number one in longevity,
worldwide! I always suspected that most Spaniards are part mountain goat, every
town is built on a hill and Spain itself is a huge rock! I usually go into
training before we come here but this year it was not possible and boy, am I feeling
it! (Quick note to the kids…….relax, I
am not overdoing it!).
Santander is a lovely city. We usually
just skimmed through there on our way to catch a ferry to the UK but couple of
years ago we visited with Cheryl and really enjoyed it. Lovely buildings and
beaches and food and don’t forget the wine. Have I mentioned that we are travelling for
food on this trip? Cantabria is beautiful, mountainous and green, quite
different from the last couple of days, we travelled through some very brown
barren looking land on our way here.
We headed back to Puente Viesgo
for lunch at La Terraza and then siesta before Day 2 Spa trip. We have a bit of
a time lag on these posts and I cannot remember what we ate but I know it was
late, lavish and luscious! We have to get caught up! Anyway, after siesta we
went to the pools for our daily pummeling by the jets, eddies and whirlpools! You
know what comes next…….. we returned to the La Terraza for a combo plate and
Jane a dessert! I finally got tired of eating other food and not having room for
desert so I opted for a sinful chocolate truffle thingy that was quite decadent! The skies opened up as we
meandered back across the river to our Gran Hotel. It has been a bit rainy and
cool since we have been here but compared to other parts of Europe and Spain I am
not complaining!
Early night tonight for us as we
were still relaxed from the Spa water jets. Sweet dreams. Tomorrow we are off
to San Sebastian, love that city.
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