There's money in wine - and speed cameras!

Friday 12th May

Moving day today. We headed into the Pyrenees proper and further south towards the St James pilgrim walk area. Dora chose the route which seemed a long way around but there aren't too many roads heading up and over the mountains. She took us west to Bilbao, then turn left towards Vitoria. The roads towards Bilbao were as busy as we experienced getting here, and some confusing directions from Dora but with the aid of her pictures we didn't put a wheel wrong.

Turning south towards Vitoria we were on a fairly major road which was a good flowing road if not for the trillion speed cameras along the way. It was quite an enjoyable drive on wider roads, not the narrow roads of France. 

After passing through a few towns and along some valley roads, we found ourselves really climbing up over the mountains. There were a lot of push bikes doing the climb (masochists).

This is what Dora had to show us. 

From the time of El Cid.

Heading through the mountains.

 Village in Spain- they are a bit different to those in France.
A lot more red.

A dull photo - the limestone cliffs in the Pyrenees.

Took a detour to the town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada which is on the Saint James walk, to look at the town and to visit the cathedral. What we didn't know was that today is the festival of the patron Saint of the town. Everyone in town was dressed to the nines and gathered in the square outside the cathedral for the procession. We hung around in the crowd not understanding what was going on before heading for lunch in the town. Apparently there is some story about this Saint and a rooster - Rob has named this the festival of the chook.

Part of the procession - Saint Domingo.

The cathedral - Santa Maria de la Redondo.

Supposedly this is the chook - not in the mood to have his photo taken.

Waiting patiently for Dad outside the church.

Sign of the Camino de Santiago - St James walk.

The pilgrims trail goes straight through the middle of town. Lots of walkers with backpacks and hiking poles. Lots of interesting accents. I heard two older Australian ladies at the cathedral and a young Australian fellow sitting behind us at lunch.

As we travelled down from the first mountain range it was all cropping country. Not too sure what they are about to plant but there was a lot of newly ploughed ground. Further along and things changed - we were now in wine country. Lots of vines in every square inch of available land. There must be plenty of money in wine as some of the winery set ups were massive. We didn't stop at any wineries but maybe over the next couple of days we will visit a couple.

From this town it was a drive up and over and down one of the mountain ranges to finally arrive at our hotel for the next 2 nights. We've just come back from dinner and have discovered there is a motor racing circuit only 17k away. That is on tomorrow's list.