WED/THURS October 12/13 Day 6 & 7 in Spain:

Left San Seb headed out to somewhere and ended up at Hondorribia and the port. Across the water is France . Last year we had a delightful encounter with an artillery unit during the fiestas but we were too late this year. The town was packed with people walking about, families with cute kids and a pedestrian area that would be perfect in Cocoa Beach! It is just lovely. We wandered around and looked in stores and along the harbor area. The boat they were restoring last year is not finished but I love that thing, the sweep of the bow is beautiful. A fishing boat of the Vascos. The Bay of Biscay can be treacherous but they are fishermen and this is what they do. They are tough, strong men! 

We decided to head out to Elizondo and Elbete then on to Arizcun for lunch. Arizcun is a village we used to go to years ago, in the 70s. We had a great meal with the most beautiful tomatoes you have ever seen. I asked about where they were grown, “ Here in the huerta (garden). A custom that is interesting and very gracious, when you are in a restaurant, people will come in nod to you and say “Que aprobeche” or “enjoy your meal”. They do not ignore you, they acknowledge you and wish you a good meal. How nice is that? When you do it to others, they are delighted and say “Gracias”, so civilized, I love it! We headed over to Almandoz and Beola to meet the family and to help decorate the banquet hall. Nekane and Fernando spent 3 hours with place settings for 250 guests! Paul, Loles and I did the Candy Table, the Photo Table, the dancing shoe baskets and the childrens gifts! People, this is big “do” with something for everyone! We really love these people and are so happy to be a part of this celebration! A little word about the shoe table, these are canvas and rope sandals which are typical of the region. They have 150 pairs of shoes for people to change into before dancing! I am going to get me some! The UK travelers landed in Santander at 730 PM and hit the road to join us arriving at 930PM . T his is a very exclusive place with only about 13 rooms. I will check that but it is an old Palace which only opens on weekends for lunches and wedding banquetes. There were special concessions made for us. After about 7pm the place is totally shut down, elevators turned off and entry is by an outside staircase! Dave and Joyce arrived and with luggage deposited,  the Jefe shut the hotel for the night and we went down to the turnoff at Mugaire for our evening meal at 10.00pm! This is in the mountains, off the road to Pamplona. We are out there, people! It is very elegant with nice rooms and we feel quite privileged to be entrusted with this palace for the night! A little bit spooky though! Thursday  morning we met at about 9.30 in the dining room, 4 solitary patrons taking breakfast alone. Actually it was really nice, the service was wonderful. I feel terribly privileged and a bit overwhelmed. I see a big tip in their future! We headed off for Elizondo to meet up with Asun and Ines. Ana and family are driving over from Italy, coming in their car + dog so they are staying in Irrurita at a Casa Rural that allows dogs.

After a rest we went back to the big E for an evening paseo dodging rain drops. It was really raining by this time but what is a little rain between friends? Ana felt a great need to see her “pueblo” so we followed and it was quite pleasant! Ana and Michele’s children are quite beautiful. Alison, I think she would love to see you again! After a drink to talk and re-acquaint, I noticed that a lot of the talk is about politics, refugees and the state of Europe as they attempt to host the Syrian refugees.