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..