Cheers!

I did my best to interpret the Estacion Meteorologica this morning as we left the hotel but really, the most obvious hint was the rain failling on my head!

We’d come prepared for such weather, so just grabbed our raincoats and umbrellas and hoped for the best.

We had been undecided where to go today, another holiday here - coast or mountains? Thinking that most might head for the coast, we headed inland for the Picos de Europa National Park. The windscreen wipers on our rental car are dreadfully noisy and not so effective, either, so we were both happy when they seemed to slow down a bit and the finally stop all together. Dare we hope that the rain had passed over for the day?

This rural part of Asturias appears to be less prosperous than the parts of Galicia we’ve driven through and the stone walls are constructed in quite a distinctive style. We passed several empty houses, some looking rather derelict and graffiti-covered, but as we got nearer our destination of Cangas de Onis it was clear we were entering a popular tourist hub.

The Roman Bridge (not really Roman) was empty when we arrived, a pretty unusual sight by all accounts.

We had deliberately got off to an early start today though, so everywhere was still just waking up, Spanish holiday style!

We were ably assisted by the uniformed young woman - perhaps a community police officer? - who put on her mask, helped switch the machine into English and steered us through the procedure of payment: first 30 minutes free, then 1c per minute thereafter. Delightfully friendly, her warm welcome endeared Cangas de Onis to us immediately.

Uploading my photographs of the town just now, I was struck by how dull it appears and yet my memory is of a bright and vibrant place. I resisted the tempation to add a filter or two however - perhaps the young woman in the car park applied the filter to my view this morning?

Clearly a holiday town, we each came up with a different comparison - my Hero suggested a small Interlaken whereas I offered a small Banff! Perhaps you get the idea?

We left some tourist Euros there anyway, in one of the many Asturian food shops, where we spotted a vacpac containing the ingredients for making Fabada, the dish we’d enjoyed so much yesterday afternoon. We knew someone who would appreciate that!

We both agreed the gaita were best left where they are, regardless of whether they be real or pretend!

We had a feeling that the road further up into the park might get busy later, so decided to head up there now - whilst it was still dry, too. We jumped in the car and headed for Covadonga.

On the way, we passed several fine examples of hórreo asturiano - the Asturian version of the horreos we’d seen in Galicia. Rather similar and yet completely different at the same time!

It was a gradual climb up the valley to Covadonga and at various spots we got a hint of the traffic management measures here, ready to put in place if needed. Several car parks at different stages of the route, clearly signed with indicators of the level of traffic. We were rather pleased to be here when none of that was needed at all.

Soon, we caught a glimpse of the Basilico de Santa Maria la Real de Covadonga high on the rocky summit.

It’s quite the landmark around here.

We wanted to see more of the Picos do Europa however, so made our way back and onto the road which follows the Sella river valley between the rocks, which at times became uncomfortably narrow.

Thankfully it was the usual story - there was no other traffic at the critical points. Phew! Fabulous scenery though, now the cloud had almost lifted completely.

There was one last adventure before we headed back. We were both ready for a break although only one of us could partake fully in the Sideria experience, where the naturally fermented cider is poured from the bottle from a great height in order to aerate the drink and enhance the flavour. Most of it goes into the glass! The rest is caught in the purpose made receptacle standing by each table. So both were able to enjoy the spectacle, my Hero made do with his non-alcoholic beer this time.

As we passed the Roman Bridge for the last time today, I counted the people upon it but felt thankful that this time, I got a better look at the Asturian cross.

Maybe we will see the real thing when we get back to Oviedo?