Today was another lovely day of walking (24.5 km), with some very big climbs, but rewarding views. I started the day early, at 6 AM, because Marissa, Carmen and Emma (the three women from La Gomera with whom I walked yesterday), invited me to join them for breakfast in the village to which they had walked last night, which was another 5 km on from where I had stopped. This meant I was able to have an amazing sunrise walk along an empty beach, before meeting them for breakfast and in the Alberge where they had stayed.
It was a steep climb out of Getaria with some great views of the small town of Zumaia which has a lovely blue lighthouse. Once we got there we sat on the quay for a rest and watched some very good rowing teams training.
The afternoon heat was quite punishing, which meant I looked somewhat beetroot-like by the time we reached the final hilltop, before a very sharp dissent on an ancient cobbled pathway into Deba, where a cold beer proved to be the ideal remedy.
My accommodation for the night turned out to be about 20m from the beach, so the first thing I did was was go down to the sea for a quick dip. I had forgotten how strong the Atlantic is compared to the rather benign tides in Hastings, and found myself tossed about in the surf. Dinner ended up being a salad from a supermarket eaten on the town square, because we were too tired to wait for the 9 PM opening time for Spanish restaurants.
Foot note to my family: the under toad has evidently taken a holiday to Spain, because I am very sure I saw him.
