9-12 April
Distance travelled: 424km
Total distance: 1139km
Ice cream count: 2 each

 
The next leg of our journey was a long drive to Porto, which we worked around Griff’s morning sleep and broke up with a stop at McDonald’s in a delightful little town called Chaves! Griff was amazing and took it all in his stride as usual. We had a couple of easy days at this stop catching up on general admin like washing, cooking (Matt rustled up a mean risotto on the BBQ) as well as a day and a half exploring Porto, which we decided was absolutely stunning and for us was all about the food and drink!

First stop was an awesome gelateria so I could finally get my ice cream fix. Yay! Delicious it was too! After walking some fairly steep streets and navigating the buggy up and down some mammoth curbs, it wasn’t long before we happened upon the waterside. As we came out into the sunshine it felt like we were on a tropical South Bank! Loads of people sitting, drinking and eating in little bars and restaurants along the water’s edge, with views of a Sydney Harbour-style bridge, cable cars ambling through and hundreds of orange and pink roofs nestled into the hillside on both sides of the water. It was heaven! We found a spot outside a little restaurant and ordered a drink and tomato salad to share. It came out not as advertised (covered in beef, virtually no tomatoes and no bread) so we only had the drinks and decided to get food elsewhere – Pastel de Natas – more sweet treats!

From there we walked over the bridge, did a spot of Port tasting (we bought a bottle of 10 year old white Port which was as flavoursome as some of the much more aged red ones apparently!) and then got the cable car to the top of the hill to cross the bridge on the upper level. Poor Wilf did not enjoy either of these experiences and was shaking all the way up in the cable car, but Griff seemed unperturbed. Think we all need to take a leaf from his book! Other highlights were burgers in a lovely little restaurant outside town and more ice cream – well, we had some catching up to do!

All roads lead to Gadis
Distance travelled: 265km
Total distance: 725km
Ice cream count: 0

We had a stop off for 2 nights near a town called Laciana in the mountains. It was a pretty small, rural place and there wasn’t much going on (other than dogs barking all night!) but up in the mountains so a really stunning setting. Weather was pretty cold and wet – we had the odd bit of blue sky and sunshine but always followed rapidly by some more rain or even sleet or hail. The highlight for me was Gadis – the massive supermarket that seemed to be visible from anywhere in town. They had everything, including baby supplies, dog food and loads of other things we probably didn’t need to pack! They even had a Haribo pick and mix. Heaven!

Beautiful beach and awning adventures
Distance travelled: 80km
Total distance: 460km
Ice cream count: still nil 

Nice lazy day around Oyambre beach and Comillas. Matt, Wilf and Griff had a good walk along Oyambre beach while I managed a 6km run and we all walked back to the van together – sun was shining, sea was beautiful and blue and the sand was perfect for running/walking. Wilf loved the freedom and found plenty of sticks and even made friends with a Fox Terrier.

After showers we headed down to Comillas which was a beautiful small town, with its own Gaudí church and a couple of amazing big buildings – apparently harking back to the 1800s when the Spanish Royal family and nobility holidayed here. It was really impressive and we managed to get dinner in a nice Italian restaurant just before it closed. Sadly we weren’t quite so lucky with the ice cream shop that shut just as we arrived. I was not happy!

Distance travelled: 180km
Total distance: 380km
Ice cream count: 0
We visited Bilbao before going on to our campsite at Oyambre beach. We loved Bilbao from the moment we arrived, crossing the red arch bridge and getting an amazing view of the Guggenheim as we came in. Drama at the car park getting the bike under the 2.1m barrier didn’t sour our day either, nor Wilf chewing through his seatbelt!! We had a lovely walk along the river and around the old town. Stopped for a coffee and cake that turned out to be a cup of hot chocolate gloop and deep fried custard, but it still didn’t put us off! We definitely want to return without dog and maybe baby to do the Guggenheim properly, and explore this beautiful colourful city further.
First successful putting up of awning also meant al fresco dinner of fresh bread, cheese, serrano ham and beef tomatoes under the canvas, washed down with wine. Perfect evening.

We are a family of two bi-peds (Matt and Kate), a quadraped (Wilfred the Weimerarner) and a lolling-arounder (our 4 month old – when we left the UK in April – Griff!).

This is a little blog about our walking, travelling and day to day adventures. A record for Griff for when he is old enough to realise what he was put through as a baby, and a way for family and friends to follow what we are up to.

Why the name? Well, every walk we embark on with Wilfred Wood, he always manages to find a new toy; and more often than not it is a tennis ball! It seemed logical at the time?!

Pinching our way around San Sebastián
Distance travelled: 196km
Total distance: 196km
Ice cream count: 0

San Sebastián – lovely walk around the bay, avoiding water spraying over the top. Beautiful old churches, first taste of cold pinchos and Cava… Griff slept through but Wilf enjoyed the Spanish bread and Iberico ham. No ice cream yet. 

Getting to grips with the camper van and what goes where. Griff decided to christen it with a poonami, so he’s feeling at home, but Kate had cold showers and hasn’t worked out where her underwear is yet!