It goes fast in bar Tizon

We called in on Ana's brother at his bar in her home town and then travelled on to Astorga, with its cathedral and museum and the Gaudi palace which was stunning. The town was full of shops bearing the Alonso name. We didn't see HIM, but Agu felt at home (his mother's name is Alonso).

A very cold but dry day, with snow on the big mountains in the distance, we took harbour for lunch and continued the meat oddysey with cecina (beef version of jamon serrano) and morcilla (black pudding).

Agu and I returned to our hotel (for the next two nights) and had a rest before venturing out into the old part of town, the Barrio Humedo, where tapas is King. I'll fill the blog with pictures and descriptions of what can be eaten there. You'd feel a fool for paying more than 2 pounds for anything other than excellent wine or beer and a tasty bit on the side.

We stayed out far too late, but I danced (!) and had a blast, like I haven't done for years.