This is what we learn during our visit of the Bird Center Urdaibai. We visit the center spontaneously when we see the signposts. In Urdaibai in the Basque Country, the birds rest on their way to the South in winter and to the North in summer. Here is the bottleneck where all flight routes come together. There is a research and visitors center designed like an airport for birds.
The Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias. The Atlantic coast is rough and mountainous. The surfers cavort on the water. On the paths the cyclists and hikers.
Moderate temperatures and ‘much’ weather reminds us of Brittany as well as the Canary Islands, whose bananas plane trees can be bought here. Also the architecture, made of stone and windows and balconies with dark wood in front of it. Sometimes very ornate, sometimes abandoned and decayed. Pasture farming and vegetable gardens, where you can grow and harvest. All wonderfully green.
Statistically, it rains here every third day in summer, every second in winter. After months of blue skies and high temperatures, we enjoy it, as well as the two rainy days on the bike. In addition, we have wonderful cycling days through the beautiful area, through valleys, small villages, deep gorges and sometimes great panoramic views on the coast. Wonderfully located, lovely campsites, more or less in the middle of nowhere, sweeten our exploration trips.
Cycling in Northern Spain
Here you will find the longest cycle roads in Europe. The cars are directed to the motorway and on the national roads the cyclists have the priority.
We get much appreciation. Road cyclists greet us. Drivers first drive column behind us, then overtake us and cheer us. There are even those who shoot a video of us with their mobile phone.
Spaniards themselves seem to only ride bicycles for sporting purposes and thus mainly on weekends or holidays.
Our last evening at the super nice Camping Itxaspe near Deba. They still have a place available for cyclists and hikers. We have pasta with tomato sauce, what else. Rosi from Koblenz hikes from Irun to Bilbao and gladly accepts our invitation to eat with us.
Quickly we are the next morning in San Sebastian, which shows its typical and best side. It is Saturday. Countless road cyclists are on the track, where we collect the last passes.
Yes, we get wistful. One because she will miss the Spanish mentality, simplicity and cordiality, the other because we have renounced Galicia and ‘quasi’ start the way back. ‘Quasi’, there are at least 1500 kilometers to home. There is still a lot to experience.
We shop, what does not exist in France or what is tremendously expensive in France. And then it goes across the border.
Hasta luego… in Galicia ? .