San Sebastian, Spain (via London)- 27/11 - 5/12

Back into the trip! After leaving NZ, our first stop was back in London to pick up the van, which had been made ship shape (well, van shaped) and fully functional again by the fine people at Cranham's motorhomes (grand total for some tweaks and 3 weeks storage - 26 pounds, yeah baby). 

We stayed a couple of nights at David and Justine's to see them and Hudson again - and Jane's parents.  They had flown out only one day after us so it was quite surreal saying in NZ (on Friday) 'goodbye, and see you on sunday'.

We then caught the ferry to Bilbao in Spain. 'Catching the ferry' brings to mind getting the Quickcat to Waiheke - but this thing is 11 'floors' (6 of which are parking), we had a cabin, and it is a 24 hour trip. Jane was a bit poorly, and we were both still slightly jet-lagged so we spent a large amount of the time asleep. We also discovered that Jane's sea sickness pills are REALLY effective, as it was pretty rough the whole way.

Unfortunately, our van was the only vehicle on the whole boat not parked under cover, and it came out covered in salt. Nevermind, it needed a clean anyway.

An amazing view from the plane - somewhere over the southern part of China (we think). You kind of  forget about 'outside' when  stuck in your seat for 24 hours watching movies.

Fun on the ferry! Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!

Jane posing on some of the playground equipment.

Jane discovering the playground equipment swivels quite quickly.

One of the bars, the movie theatre is through that door in the background. 

Yep, it had a kennel, and a dog walking area. You could also get a cabin with pet accommodation.

We stayed overnight in Bilboa and then headed to San Sebastian for the next few days. It is a beautiful city - it has two lovely sandy bays (one with great surf) protected by two headlands. Very dramatic.

Even though we had been to Spain before (Barcelona) - the Spanish lifestyle does take a bit of getting used to again. They have lunch from 12 until about 3pm, after which pretty much everything apart from the bars shut. The shops re-open at 6pm or so, but nowhere serves food until 8:30pm. In the 'pre-dinner' (or post-siesta) period, everyone goes out for a walk - and it is quite fun to see everyone out with the kids have a chat, or a coffee, or looking at the shops.

Our first campsite in Bilbao - the campsite was rubbish but the view was great. Nope, we didn't go and visit the Guggenheim.

The view from our campsite in San Sebastian. Spain is hilly!

The convention centre - it looked amazing all lit up at night time.

Why take photos of each other when other people are more interesting? Look at that leg extension!!!

The walk up to the castle overlooking San Sebastian.

Me surveying the lesser mortals over which I exercise dominion. Bow to me!!!

Jane looking pretty, and planning to shrink another of her sister's dresses so she doesn't have to give it back.  Mwa ha ha haaaaaa!

El Castillo - not sure if that is Spanish or not, but it sounds right to me.

Just checked online - and that IS the Spanish word for castle. 

The beach.

Jesus statue on top of the castle. Apparently they dress him up in a Santa outfit and paint his beard white for Christmas. Or they should do.

Everyone out for their post siesta wander and shop.

The Cathedral at night.

We have also been loving the pintxos (pronounced pin-chos, tapas elsewhere in Spain). The name comes from the Latin verb meaning 'to pierce' which is why all the food has toothpicks. They are not called 'tapas', as explained to us by one of the (very) few English speaking locals - because we are in the Basque region, which is NOT Spain. Anyway, you ask for a drink, pick up what you want, then they somehow remember what you ate and charge you very little on the way out. Fun! You can also order hot dishes (calientes) or larger plates (planchas) off a menu.

Our first pintxos bar.....

You can't really tell, but the whole bar is covered in delicious bite sized snacks. Those are legs of cured ham hanging up behind the bar. 

Success - mushrooms on bread for Jane, something to do with eggplants, cheese and tomatoes for me.

A very cool fresco in the museum.

They covered the bits that were deteriorating in 'Japanese paper' until they have enough money to restore it.

One of the first bars we went into was a Scotch whisky museum - ironic, really.

So, a great introduction to Spain - the weather is pretty good, the food is fantastic and Jane is slowly starting to remember her Spanish lessons.

Hot chocolate - which is about the consistency of chocolate sauce rather than a drink, and churros - which are deep fried pastry covered in suger. Dip churros into chocolate, put in mouth, roll eyeballs to back of head and say mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Repeat.