We have been on the seacoast for almost eight days. The experiences have been good. It will be hard to leave. 

Today, we wake to sheep bells ringing on the adjacent pasture. Perhaps 60 sheep have populated the area next to our condo. Each sheep must have a bell, as it is a cocophany of clangs. The sun has punch out of the gloom and the cliffs are shining brightly. I shoot a few photos. This is a lovely unexpected place. 

We have a three hour drive to Prioro and our next base. Ana has found a little town along the way that is reputed to be interesting and has an ancient monastery.  Santillana del Mar. I don’t know where the del mar comes from, as it is miles from the sea. It is in the Provence of Cantabria, which on the east ends near Bilboa. Looking at the map, we have not spent much time in Basque Country, except for our trip to Bilbao. Instead, we have been in Sonabria, near the east side of Cantabria. Last night we had dinner in Castor-Urdailes, which is about the most eastern place in Cantabria. Now at Santillana, we are back in the middle of Cantabria not too far from the coast. 

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The GPS does not get Santillana as well as it should. We travel about the green, hilly country side in circles. Finally, we decide to ignore the GPS and follow the signs which are ample. We get to the pretty little town and find parking. Then we walk about looking for the tourist center. We get a map and head for the monastery. This place reminds me of Williamsburg, VA. They have taken an old nice village and “gussied it up” for the tourists. Nice hotels. Plently of shops and a few residents. It’s a luxury destination. Ana likes it better than me, perhaps for the shopping? It’s neat and clean and made of lovely sand stone facades. But in Europe they have the real thing everywhere, so it just seems strange to me here. The place is a-flood with the elderly.  The buses are dumping them in the tourist area by the hundred. At 73, I feel like a kid. 

Of course we pay our 3 euros and see the monestary. It is worth for a few photos. Those I sneak in the church are forbidden. A cornerstone implies some part of it was built in 825 A.D.

We have a pleasant lunch at a restaurant, Casa San Miguel, amidst the polished little town. It is fine. We buy some sausage and local Cider (which turns out to be far too sour to drink) and cheese in a shop for later on our trip. There are signs—T-shirts, videos of Irish singers in shops— this area also has Celtic connections but this history is not explained. 

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We make a long drive through the hills and mountains of Canabria and eventually come to the flat lands of Castile Leon. We see spectacular mountains rising from the plains, much like in Colorado, but more intimate.

Eventually, we make to Prioro, which is in Castile Leon provence, but in a area of rising hills and small mountains. Our apartment has some flaws, but it will do for 4 days. I am getting tired of the hustle between venues. Still, there is much planned. I hope to see heards of wild horses, as advertised by the owners of this place. I want to go to Picos de Europa park and hike. There is a big lake nearby that may be worth a boat ride. We also plan to spend a day in Leon about an hour to the south. 

We have picked up some salmon and peas for dinner. We will eat in for the first time in two weeks. I welcome it. We are in the sticks and I am not eager to drive any more tonight.