Sunday’s walk from Pobena to Castro Urdiales was really a walk of two halves. The first half was along the coast, high up on the cliffs, looking down the sea, and looking back at the very busy port of Bilbao with many ships queuing to go into port. We then turned in land for the second half and passed through several small villages, including one where there was a small fiesta going on well, where we stopped for a very welcome beer. We then joined an old railway line which took us into the port town of Castro Urdiales, and included walking through an ancient railway tunnel at one point which is quite exciting and a welcome relief of cool, dry air. On arriving into the town we stopped for a swim in the sea, using the municipal Lido. Castro Uridales on the night of Sunday 23rd July was an exciting buzz of election anticipation, made very real for us because the restaurant we chose for dinner happened to be next to the local branch headquarters of the socialist party, with many people waiting anxiously as the votes of the general election were counted. When we left at midnight it was completely even between the socialists and the People’s party, but by the morning, it seems, the People’s party had managed to form a coalition which will take Spain in a more right leaning political direction. Interesting times ahead.
