Thursday 10 September
San Sebastian
Those of you who are getting a little envious of all this sunshine and blue skies will be glad to know that we awakened today to beating rain from our rooftop view! But we spent a happy morning playing 7s (bit of a Hughes family card game - rules on request!) in the cosy apartment and only drifted out in time for lunch - by which time the rain in Spain had lessoned.
We discovered a fabulous typically Spanish lunchtime cafe and had the amazing homemade menu del dia. A tasty haricot bean soup followed by a fabulous veal stew with homemade chips, house wine and the best ever creme caramel to follow up. Super friendly with a lovely waitress making animal sounds to describe the menu to us!! And all for €15 a head!
And what's more, the rain had totally stopped so we embarked on our tour of the romantic area of the city
Full of beautifully crafted exteriors
and a haberdashers to die for (I am in my little heaven in sewing or a stationary shop)
and make that a bookshop too! Here I got an English translation of a Basque novel that was recommended by the owner The Accordionist's Son by Bernardo Atxaga - I have just started reading it last night.
The cathedral is also in this area
with it's Chillida's 'cross of peace' visible in the porch
some beautiful houses
and stunning doors
wandered across the river
to admire the station canopy which was designed by a pupil of Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame no less!
another rather splendid bridge
a fed up fisherman (ha ha)
and the recently completed Kursaal Congress Centre by Rafael Moneo
So next we did a bit of shopping, packed up for our leaving tomorrow - took our final peeks from our rooftop window
and went out for a stunning final meal - making sure we all enjoyed our last 'cheesecake'
but the holiday hasn't finished - more to come on our journey home and then our weekend in France. Click here to read about the surprising journey home on Friday
Or if you'd rather start at the beginning of the holiday, then click here
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
