Pete, Nic & the two Sue's - tour - Pete's Blog - final leg of the journey...

Wednesday

Really super day...10.30 taxi straight to ironmonger for Nic to buy oil & an oil can! Then walk into old town, girls bought waistcoat type things on the market, then coffee & good walk looking at all the historic buildings.

We ended up at cathedral square & spent nearly 2 hours in Beau Fine Arts Museum. Came out, had tapas and wine. Quick wiz around cathedral , home by taxi for 4pm.

I helped Nic lift carpets & floorboards in order to oil the Thrust Bearing. 4.30 kid done, siesta.

Back to same restaurant tonight where we all had that fabulous monkfish dish.

Moving nearer the Picos mountains after breakfast tomorrow.

Thursday

Left our super hotel at 10.45 - stopped for petrol after 15 mins then disaster struck at the petrol station...Nic’s car developed terminal clutch problem 😠!!!

Telephone R&H for breakdown truck & hire car so they can continue with the holiday. Recovery arrived 2 hours later & said "not insured for passengers"... all luggage left on garage forecourt!!! R&H said "sort it out yourself & claim expenses" .

We phoned for a taxi which came in 10 mins, it took Nic & Sue straight to our Parador, we left & met them there at 4pm, very stressed.

Now hiring a car from 12 noon tomorrow which they can leave at Santander. Their biggest problem will be all their luggage as they will now be foot passengers!!! Forward plan is taxi to our overnight in Portsmouth then hire car to take them from Portsmouth to South Scarle & on to Halifax the next day.

So far my car has done 976 miles. I shall change the engine oil tomorrow while Nic goes for hire car.

Friday

Huge meal of veal for two last night with lots of wine to cheer ourselves up! Nice

Went off to get hire car at 10.30, I changed my oil then we three walked around the little village where our Parador is based.

As soon as Nic came back we were to drive the 2km into Cangas de Onís. However, guess what he got lost!! Pained phone call to say Sat Nav taken him up dead end and no idea where he was!

Arrived at 3.10 pm said he had been everywhere including a farm track we did manage a look around Cangas & the medieval bridge.

Tomorrow 10 am start for 3 nights in the Pecos mountain range.

Saturday

Lovely 60 mile journey to The Bear Hotel up in the Picos mountains, stopped for coffee at café with a chain bridge over the river. Nice riding shotgun behind enabled Sue Turley, to take some excellent video footage of our car. Arrived around 1 pm, vino , snack , & siesta. Yours truly made it to the pool at 5.30pm.

We stayed here two years ago and it is super with the added bonus of two St. Bernard dogs.

Sunday

Drove up to the cable car this morning after breakfast to get the views and to understand tomorrow’s arrangements. I have bought the tickets on-line for a 10 am departure. Nic then came out with “ I’m terrified of heights!” I assured him it will not be windy and I half promised not to rock the cable car😂

Drove back down to the little town of Potes, shopping, drinks, lunch & ice cream. Back to hotel for siesta then swimming in pool at 6 pm followed by very large G&T’s.

Monday

What a super day...Nic overcame his fears & got in the cable car with us. Two years ago when we came it was not running ( told Nic the cable had snapped ) & we were very disappointed. Today all smiles as the views were stunning with eagles riding the thermals. Coffee on the terrace at the top then a “speedy” descent & back to the town of Potes for the delights of market day and lunch in the old town.

This Bear Hotel is our very favourite and we have had 3 great nights here. Tomorrow a 60 mile drive for one night in Santillana del Mar where our Spanish journey commenced.

Wednesday ferry

Thursday Premier Inn , Portsmouth

Friday 200 mile journey home .

We all hope you have enjoyed our blog and are happy to assist you if feel you would like to travel to N Spain in the future.

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