all the fun of the fair

Tuesday 8 September 2015

San Sebastian

This was the most amazing day - all the ingredients of a perfect holiday - and it started with the sun streaming into our lovely apartment

and this rooftop view

 and a walk around the town to the tourist office to collect maps. 

Loved the market produce

 Such a great morning buzz everywhere

 and some fabulous doorways

Plaza de la Constitución by day - beautifully preserved

an exploration of the magnificent Iglesia San Vicente

a saunter along Calle del 31 de Agosto - commemorating the dreadful destruction of San Sebastian in 1813

and a view down to the cathedral with it's filigree steeple

Inside the grand Iglesia de Santa Maria

Inside which was a massive cardboard model of the tower!  Sadly there was work going on in the church and we weren't able to see the Chillida cross.  But we did see many amazing sculptures across the city over the days we were there and I've found a great website with them all on: San Sebastian Sculptures.  Turns out in 2016 San Sebastian is European City of Culture, so many monuments and buildings are being spruced up, including, sadly, the Chillida studio and museum which is closed at the moment.

So off we wandered down to the bay, stopping for cafe con leche along the way and taking in the incredible setting of this city - strung out between the Pyrenees and the sea

We walked the whole length of La Concha beach

til we found Eduardo Chillada's Piena Del Viento

and the ancient funicular!!

It was SO amazing and is 103 years old we were reliably informed.

and the view from the top of Monte Igledo gives a new meaning to breathtaking  . . .

But enough of views - by now we'd discovered the scenic railway - and now we know why they are called that!!  Scenic it certainly was - as well as rickety, scream inducing and totally magical.

with the friendliest ticket seller/ train driver, who told us the carriages were made in Britain over 90 years ago!!

all ready to ride - no hint of the dips and screams to come

we were swept over the edge of the very Bay of Biscay!

but compensation was at hand - winning first prize in the dinosaur race

It wasn't all over yet though - off to the house of horror

far too scary to photograph . . .

Tempted by a final ride - we all took to the mysterious river!!

scenic or what!!

then back down 

shoes off

and a paddle home

Bit of housekeeping after a swim

Then great tapas again in the town and reminiscences of a perfect day.

Want to follow us tomorrow?  Then click to Wednesday

Or if you'd rather start at the beginning of the holiday, then click here

Ruby Tuesday

We had the best of Tuesdays today - warm autumn sunshine and a fabulous hike up Win Hill.

Not a soul there, the mountain all to ourselves.  Second sprouting of gorse,some remnants of purple heather and a blue sky by the time we reached the top. And that amazing 360 degree view over the Hope Valley, Stannage Edge, Derwent Valley and the Mam Tor and Lose Hill ridge

Melanie's Rolling Stones cover - Ruby Tuesday -  came to me as I was walking - play it and skip down the pictures as you listen . . .

as Melanie says - you gotta catch your dreams before they fly away