We set off for breakfast with Meg and Mark in Pobena at 6:45 am - pre sunrise. We walked along the back of La Arena beach and across this bridge over the estuary.
There was a short sharp climb up from the beach and then a lovely flat coastal path - Via Verde de Piquillo -for about 3 km.
There were lovely coastal views...
..several information boards on the areas mining and kelp farming roots, plus those depicting agriculture, flora, and sea-life (below).
We were constantly tempted by distant views of our objective for the day - the town of Castro Urdiales.
We had regular fountains to slake our thirsts..
..the occasional tunnel..
...and some nice resting spots.
We left the Basque Country and crossed in to Cantabria, with lovely farming hamlets....
...and a big population of snals!!
We chose to take the much shorter, and flatter coastal route, which meant about 5 km of road walking.
The areas mining history ever present....for example in this old loader.
We stopped for drinks and olives at a roadside bar with excellent views back over the area we had walked.
It was soon after that we were off the bitumen and on trails leading down to and through Playa de Dicido, which had an equestrian school (LHS) as well as a nice beach.
Soon we topped the last rise before Castro Urdiales....
...and dropped down a steep path to a long esplanade around the bay to the old town.
The town is dominated by Inglesia de Santa Maria de la Asuncion, started in the 13th century, and Castillo - Faro from the same era.
Interesting the town gets its name from its first Roman Governor who presided over the Roman Province of Flavobriga.
We had lunch below the church.
Then went around the inner old harbour...
...and up to the church, with a statue dedicated to Castro Urdiales himself in front.
PM we went to the beach. Not quite as nice this one, a pebble beach. But the water was nice.
It was pintxos for dinner once more. You can't beat them really and although we are now in Cantabria, it is so close to the Basque region it is still pintxos. Bar Javi was the recommended spot and it delivered.
This was the standout in our opinion, bread with a layer of caramelised onion and mushrooms, then goat's cheese, then some sort of fruit conserve with poppy seeds and all drizzled with caramelised balsamic vinegar - served warm. WOW!
We also had a racione of rabas. Rabas is a Cantabria special. It is lightly battered squid rings and baby octopus and onion with a squeeze of lemon.
Again there was a summer festival going. We went to see a Cuban band - Havana 537. It was in a small hall that was overflowing.....
....but we got a good spot looking through a side open door.
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