Setting off from home - we're on our way

Dublin Airport

San Sebastián

Super-easy journey today - a quick flight from Dublin to Bilbao and a bus from the airport to San Sebastián.
We had a nice evening, wandering around the city and watching the huge waves. QuiteLæs mere
And here we are again - San Sebastián

We got up nice and early this morning and took the 6.30am airport bus. Within 25 minutes we were hopping off just after Irun, ready to start walking. We met Heather from Canada who was hunting for theLæs mere
Appreciating the simple things

The waves were huge this evening on La Concha beach. As I enjoyed the childish pleasure of swimming into each one and being thrown around as if in a washing machine, I realised how lucky I am to getLæs mere
Getaria

We had all kinds of weather and every type of terrain today. The rain was pounding as we left San Sebastián, donned in our wet weather gear. Although it gradually abated, the natural trails were veryLæs mere
Zumaia

I love it when there's a breakfast stop about 5kms from our starting point. That first hour of walking has a clear purpose - coffee and tortilla con patata!
Today's breakfast stop had an extra pointLæs mere
About 22kms to Albergue Izarbide

A tough day, with lots of hills, rain and mud. It felt like much more than 22kms. However, we stopped in a few places along the way and (mostly!) enjoyed the journey.
This is my second time to stayLæs mere
Lunch in Deba

Markina - exhausted!

Another day of ups and downs, with muddy trails and scenic views. We were so glad to reach Markina at lunchtime. We considering walking a bit further, but decided that rest was more important today.Læs mere
Gernika

I really like Gernika, especially on a Sunday when the shops are closed and the town is full of families. We had a touristy day here. Damian went to the peace museum, I did our laundry in theLæs mere
About 31kms to Bilbao

We left Gernika at about 7am, with no fixed plan other than to have coffee in Larrabetzu (16kms) and decide whether to walk to Lezama, or all the way to Bilbao.
The first part of the walk involvedLæs mere
Rainy evening in Bilbao

Bilbao to Portugalete

A shortish walk today, so we got up a bit later than usual and had breakfast in Bilbao. We debated which route to take - the 'official' path seemed to be about 19kms, while the more industrial routeLæs mere
Portugalete, and a hop across the river

When I walked some of the Norte in May, I met Xabier from Bilbao most days. He was a mine of useful information and I remember his advice about the route out of Bilbao. He suggested walking on theLæs mere
Castro Urdiales

Nice walk today, but with a little too much asphalt. Great to see the sea again and to have an afternoon swim. More comments too follow when I'm less tired!
Santoña

We set out this morning from Castro Urdiales, thinking about walking to Liendo or perhaps as far as Laredo. 38kms and about 10 hours later we arrived in Santoña.
I should clarify that this wasn'tLæs mere
Santoña to Guemes

This was another nice walk, with no fixed plan for our final destination. We took the coastal option from the Santoña beach, which involved a short sharp climb on a narrow track. It certainly got theLæs mere
Güemes to Santander

Sometimes it's great to walk long and fast, but it can also be nice to ramble along with no sense of urgency. Today's walk definitely fell into the latter category.
We had breakfast in the albergueLæs mere
Leaving Santander by the coast

We took another coastal option today. Instead of following the arrows along concrete and asphalt, we walked along the promenade towards the beaches and the cliffs, passing through some very nice partsLæs mere
Santander to Sota de la Marina

We walked about 21kms today, along coastal roads and paths with beautiful views of the sea. As it was a Sunday, there were lots of people on the trails and at the beauty spots along the way. WeLæs mere
Enjoying the coast

We had dinner last night in the bar opposite the Posada de la Morena. It's right beside the beach and we listened to the waves crashing against the rocks. Although we could probably have walked thisLæs mere
About 31kms to Santillana del Mar

We made it! This was a day of contrasts: mind-blowing coastal views, a calm forest trail and an awful lot of road-walking. It's good to have arrived. We've checked into a a cute little pension -Læs mere
21.5kms to Comillas

It was good to do a shorter walk and to arrive in Comillas in time for a menu del dia. This turned out to be a marathon lunch, as they somehow forgot about our order and brought us a plate of patatasLæs mere
Colombres - a long and hot 28kms

Today was a long day and the weather was hot, hot, hot! However, there were lots of pleasant distractions along the way.
Reflecting on the past few days, the coastal alternatives were amazing andLæs mere
RejsendeI leave from SJPdP in 24 September and also blog here. Would like to follow you
RejsendeBuen Camino!
RejsendeKinnear2017 - wishing you a Buen Camino! Wandering Aussie - thanks for the good wishes.