West to Galicia

We've drunk the sidra and now we have driven past a host of small apple orchards on the old road, the N634, out of Oviedo. The apple trees are all in bloom and are beautiful. Frothy clouds of white and pink blossom contrast with the lush green pastures of the lower slopes of the Asturias. Its I-Spy the flower in bloom time; we spot masses of wisteria, iris, lillies, and camellias as big as trees, amongst many. We think this north west area of Spain is at least 3 weeks ahead of southern England in terms of flowering time.

We also see buildings which we have no idea what they are. They are square, wooden, have a balcony running all around them, and are mounted on staddle stones above a small outhouse type of building to effectively form a second floor. Some look like they may be inhabited, with electricity and tv aerials, but the majority are in poor repair. Later when we get to Galicia we see traditional grain storage buildings which are rectangular, raised on pillars, sometimes very high to form an imposing gateway. Now they are are also used for other types of storage - we spotted one by a river used to keep canoes in. Another different architectural feature we encountered on this part of our journey is the use of slate for roofing held down by rocks or in some instances pyramid shaped stone.


As we climb higher we enter forested areas of predominantly pine and eucalyptus, we wind down the car windows and breathe deeply, the scent is intoxicating.

We reach the coast at last only to visit yet another cathedral! This one is very different, and is one of natures finest - the Playa de las Catedrales at Bajamar, east of Foz, which the Xunta of Galicia have declared to be a natural monument. They have spent money on a boardwalk all along the headland, presumably to ease clifftop errosion, a lovely bracing walk.