Virago from Ireland to Bulgaria days 7 to 15

Apologies for not updating for so long.
Rode along the Atlantic coast of Spain heading West until just before Lugo when got caught in the first rain. Entered the city in steady rain and was following a long line of cars along when one of those plastic square traffic calming devices appeared in front of me.  The cars straddled it without slowing but I hit it and was immediately down on my left side watching bits of broken mirror floating past and wondering if the car following was able to stop.  Happily it did and two locals immediately ran to help me pick the bike up. One of them handed me the keys from the road. The ignition key had snapped off in the cylinder.

I could still ride so after sitting for a while contemplating my luck and slowly drawing confidence, I used my GPS to find the nearest hotel and ever so slowly made my way there.
The receptionist was brilliant, ringing a friend who worked at a Kawasaki dealer who came and took my Virago away for repairs and a service.
My right thumb was now twice the size as normal so I took a taxi to the local hospital for an X Ray to ensure it was not broken. Happily not so doctor gave me two iboprovin and sent me on my way.
Lugo is famous for it's intact Roman walls.

Which you can work all the way around the city atop.

After two unscheduled nights in Lugo, back on the road again in cold rainy weather.
I had landed on my left side and the left elbow armour in my jacket had impacted my rib cage. It felt like a bruise but after 120km I could not change gears so stopped at a small town near the Portugal border for three nights. Wrote a note with the help of Google Translate and went to the local Farmacia.  She gave me a packet of Voltarin which seems to have done the trick as I am now almost pain free.
Hotel had a restaurant attached which was handy. Opening hours were1pm to 4pm and 9pm to 11:30pm. They eat late here.
Crossed the border to Guimaraes in Portugal on third attempt.

Stayed two nights and did a day trip to Amarante

Virago from Ireland to Bulgaria Day 6

Early start from Bilbao to the Picos de Europa National park

Followed the Garmin directions to the tiny town of Cain.

Beautiful sunny weather but cold over 1000 metres. Hit a high of 2500 metres

Closer to Cain the road followed a narrow river gorge carved out by the river Cares

Found a E30 pension ($45 Hotel). The above was the view from my window.

After checking in, started a 90 minute walk along the "Ruta De Cares" a renowned trail carved through the gorge in 1919 to service an irrigation project

One wrong step here and you're 35 metres down in the rocky stream

A most memorable day!

Virago from Ireland to Bulgaria days two to five

Caught the ferry from Rosslare, Ireland to Wales and then rode to Salisbury where I spent a night in the Youth hostel

Next day went on to Portsmouth and stayed at the IBIS Budget hotel. Had to wait around until 5pm the following day for the ferry to Spain. Had lunch at the tennis club and sat on a bench overlooking the solent where the Mary Rose sank in 1545. Saw my ferry arriving.

Queued up with about 40 other bikers and boarded about 3.30pm

Was directed to deck A way below the waterline where crew members strapped each bike down for the 24 hour voyage across the bay of Biscay to Spain.

Last sight of England

Had a 4 berth cabin to myself (AUD$230) and the time passed slowly by as we cruised at 14 knots throughout the night and most of the next day.
Arrived in the evening to fine cool weather and a one hour ride to Bilbao.
Found my 25 Euro AUD$37.50) Pension and slept well.
Took off the next day for a short ride to Lekeitio where I last visited in 1975.

The cathedral and mountains are the same. Everything else has moved forward. Last time I parked my VW beetle in the square and can remember taking a picture of a widow driving her donkey up a narrow street. Now it is all apartments and parking stations.

Stopped by the marina for a cafe con leche and pastry.

The inside bar was covered in tempting snacks. A small sandwich, pastry and coffee was 6 Euros (AUD$9)
A couple of lively under eight football games were being played on the sloping beach. One side of the pitch was wet and the slope made passing challenging. Many air swings.

Walked to the second beach along a very pleasant walkway.

Sped back to Bilbao and rode into town to take a look at the Guggenheim museum by the waterfront.

Thought I saw a spider around here somewhere..