Burgos to Gascogne

We had a leisurely start to the day with a lovely walk along the wooded beauty of the Arlanzón River.  Took a number of beautiful photographs, but one of the things that stands out in Spain is the proliferation of poppies, and so a macro photo of one of these brilliant flowers is in the extra today.  Once on the road, Leyna read some information about the Basque country which seems to have strong and unique cultural definition, one of their culinary particulars is the pincho, which Aa introduced us to in Badajoz, as it has found its way down into Spain, it is a combination of different food items usually on top of a piece of bread and held together with a wooden skewer.  We stopped in a small town called Irun for lunch and though we didn't have pinchos, we did have a very good steak and frites.

Back on the road and we headed for the pine forests of Gascogne, where we had booked a site well into the country.  We listened to a podcast with an interview with Michiu Kaku, a renowned physicist, which was really interesting. Sitting here in the very quiet wooded surroundings is very restful.  We just finished another rain shower, of which we have had many along the way, and so the air is warm and fresh.  The main photo was taken in Basque country, and is the Calabrian Mountains, a range extending 300 miles across the north of Spain and not that far from the Pyrenees, which we also traversed - glorious views at many places even on the Autopista.  Now settling in for the night having watched mini highlights of the FA Cup final which was inevitably won by Man City - Bryn will be happy!