Monday, November 3, 2025 Last day in Getxo

 

I was blessed with a brilliant fall day and had 3 hours to walk like crazy along a tiny bit of Basque coast before I had to check out of my room.  The day before I walked south of where I was staying.  On this day I walked north to check out their....

Hum, what is Flysch?  To find out, I walked along the coastal strip of La Galea passing the Aixerrota Mill (1726) now a fancy looking restaurant overlooking the Bay of Bizkaia to a busy port on the other side.

 

Don't let this nice weather fool you.  I read it rains something like 300 days a year.  The walk kept getting better and better.

There is a nice wide walking path next to a designated biking path.  I also read the population in this area is young and active and fit.  I concur based on all the people of all ages outside.

 

I passed the La Galea Lighthouse and this outside gym, I think it is called a par course, with the best views.  Looked rather rusty and I didn't see anyone using it while I was coming and going.

Flysch, a geological formation, form the cliffs.  My pamphlet explains "these capricious rock formations formed under the sea during 60 million years and currently located on the coast."  Looks like the layers of earth were forced upwards looking like walls.  About this point I had to turn around and hoof it back to my room to pack and exit.  First I made a quick dash to a store to buy some fruit to have for dinner.

Once packed I was ready to sit in the sun, next to smokers because I am sitting outside, to enjoy my last cafe con leche with orange cake and an egg tart.  Yum.  The subway station is a stone's throw away where I would start the end of my journey.  I was heading into Bilbao to then catch the airport bus where I would then call a hotel about 1 km away to come fetch me.  I had a reservation there and they provided free airport shuttles.  I asked two different people and they said it was not possible to walk to the hotel.

Nice room for my 12 hour stay.  From the hotel I could walk into a small town for one last tuna fish sandwich.  They are on display in half's and that was plenty for me.

This lovely farm was not far from the hotel.  So ends my journey.

 The next and final post will be a summary of stats and reflections.

 

Saturday and Sunday, Nov 1-2, 2025 Getxo region of Bilbao

I am in Basque country where they speak Basque.  Basque, or Euskara, is a unique language isolate spoken in the Basque Country of northern Spain and southwestern France, with no known genetic relation to other languages except the extinct Aquitanian language. It is considered one of the oldest languages in Europe.  It is bizarre to read with all the e's and x's.

A damp and cloudy day did not hinder my enjoyment watching wine country scroll by on my bus from Logrono to Bilbao.  The transition from bus to the subway in Bilbao was easier than expected since it was in the same transit complex.  Very handy and well planned out with buses, trains, and the subway all in one area.  During the 25-minute subway ride north to the Algorta neighborhood, I had time to think why did I select this area to explore for 2 days besides my room accommodations being in walking distance from the subway stop?  

What was there to do there in this rain that started up again?  Once off the subway, I thought this won't be bad at all - there was a pedestrian plaza right there with shops and cafes and the style of architecture, Basque style with half-timbered or stone construction, white walls, and steeply pitched, red-tiled roofs, got my attention right away. I had a few hours to kill before I could check in.  I relaxed with this delicious dish of mushrooms and wine.  Then walked on to check out the beaches.  Lots of walking paths in this area requiring another trip to explore.

After checking in I had another wet walk around looking for a quick snack (dinner in other words) before it got dark.  I was anxious to see it all anew in the morning because I had all day to explore the old fishing village, the avenue of the palaces, and the shuttle bridge.  The place I was staying gave me 3 keys to use: front gate, front door, and for my room.  Before it got dark, I wanted to make sure I could see what I was doing with the gate and front door.  The manger showed me how to shake and pull the gate lock to make it work.  Got it.  I prayed for a drier day on Sunday.

Got my wish.  Sunday turned out to be a beautiful fall day.  Plenty of people out walking, typically with dogs, biking, and some surfers.  I focused on the area south of me and saved the area north along the coast for Monday morning, my last full day in Spain.

 

Luckily, the bakery by the subway stop was opened for a quick bite. I walked on to find my fish restaurant for lunch but ended up being far away in another area.  Next time. 

 The tourist office was open when I made it down to the water's edge.  They had great maps to guide me through fabulous sights.  I am sure I walked over 10 miles on this day.

This is the old fishing village close to where I was staying. Very steep, narrow, and walk roads to get down to the bottom where I started my walk.

I thoroughly enjoyed this stretch of historic mansions and villas, known as the "Paseo de las Grandes Villas" (Walk of the Great Villas).  I would say there was about 6 of these villas along the waterfront.  More on the other side facing the road. Reminded me of Newport, RI and their mansions.

I continued walking along the water checking out parks and other other buildings but no restrooms I could discern.  The lady at a another tourist office by the shuttle bridge pointed me in the right direction for a restroom.  Now I was up for the walk 50 meters high to cross the river.  An elevator takes you up and down on the same side.  To cross the river, I could take the gondola pulled by 18 cables.  That would have to wait until I ate something.

Bars are great for a quick snack.  A potato and egg tortilla topped with tuna which did the trick. This was instead of the fish meal.

 

On the other side of the river is Portugalete.  Another great area to explore with narrow alleys filled with tapas bars.  Part of the El Norte Camino goes through this area.  I have the guide book to walk this route when I retire.  The middle pictures reminds me of San Francisco. With mid afternoon approaching, I still had a long walk back so I did my return on the shuttle noting 3 cars at a time.  This bridge is opened every day all year long. https://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/puente-colgante

I noticed many of these camouflage trees along the walkways.  My last meal in Algorta.  Nothing fancy.  I needed something else besides a tuna fish sandwich or a tortilla.  The next post will be along the cliffs going north from Algorta.  Very scenic on a stunning fall day.