I left off yesterday before we headed out for an early dinner. Knowing that “early dinner” isn’t a thing in Spain, we thought we’d try a pintxos dinner since we were really more tired than hungry. We decided to check out the old town area of Bilbao and found all the tourists we hadn’t seen earlier, along with restaurants clearly aimed at foreign tourists with posted menus in multiple languages—but not serving meals at the silly (in Spain) hour of 7 pm.
We sat on stools at a bar for beer and pintxos and then headed back to the hotel.
We shared these, then Al ordered another 3 different ones because he was still hungry.
This morning we chose the easy option, breakfast at the hotel. It was okay, but far from the best breakfast buffet we’ve seen on past trips. Then it was bike assembly time.
I worked at the window end of our room. That’s a mural painted on a retaining wall we see through the window.
Jacquie GaudetWe are. It’s why we chose this hotel, along with its excellent location. We will ride back here from Mundako in about 7 weeks’ time. Reply to this comment 6 months ago
Jacquie GaudetTo Mike AylingThe stands are part of our Thule bike travel cases. The stiffening struts from the sides of the cases become the legs; the only part that isn’t essential to the case is the connector that attaches the beam to the legs. Reply to this comment 6 months ago
Assembly went well; the only concern was that my front tire was dead flat, not the way it was when I’d packed my bike. I pumped it up but it was losing air fast enough to be flat again by the time I wanted to put it on my bike (the last step other than checking bolts).
So I pumped it up again and we walked over to a bike shop we’d seen in our explorations yesterday and which looked like a good one.
Looks were not deceiving. A competent mechanic unseated it, checked the sealant level, reseated it (not too hard when you’ve got a compressor to use), and tightened the valve. No charge, so I bought some CO2 cartridges as Al likes to carry a few. The tire is still fully inflated now, almost 12 hours later.
Jacquie GaudetTo Bill ShaneyfeltThat’s the one. The common names are so varied! “ Melia azedarach, commonly known as the chinaberry tree, pride of India, bead-tree, Cape lilac, syringa berrytree, Persian lilac, Indian lilac, or white cedar, is a species of deciduous tree in the mahogany family, Meliaceae, that is native to Indomalaya and Australasia.” Reply to this comment 6 months ago
I didn’t really look at “The Matter of Time” by Richard Serra when I was here before, but made sure to see it this time. Al described it as “immersive” and I agree.
I had a discussion recently about Voice of Fire, acquired decades ago by the National Gallery of Canada with much controversy. But it’s so interesting in person, said my friend. The brushstrokes just make it, she said. I think we both thought it was by Mark Rothko, but it’s by Barnett Newman. This work is by Rothko and I really don’t get it. No noticeable brushstrokes either.
Steve Miller/GrampiesWe still think either this one or the one from all those years ago looks like something a not particularly talented 6 year old could pull off. But then, as they say, art is in the eye of the beholder. Reply to this comment 6 months ago
Muro de luz 11, Aitor Ortiz, 1971. This artist used light projected onto the walls of an old quarry to create intriguing effects. My photo doesn't do his photo justice.
Scott AndersonWe’ve been in Bilbao three times now and somehow have never made it inside the museum. You’re making me feel better about that. Reply to this comment 6 months ago
Jacquie GaudetTo Scott AndersonYou should go in the next time. Seniors are half-price and it’s well done (though not all of the works are to my taste). Reply to this comment 6 months ago
We left our hotel, just across the street from the river on its right bank, shortly after 8 to search for dinner in the Abando district. It seemed to be where the locals went but, even so, we were amazed by the crowds. Walking through the pedestrian streets was like making your way through a successful party, weaving through throngs of people, everyone seemingly already holding a glass of in search of one. It didn’t seem like any real food was being served yet. I should have taken a photo! Was this just a typical Saturday evening in Bilbao when the weather was pleasant enough to stand around outdoors?
We finally found an Italian restaurant where people were eating.
We both had eggplant ravioli with sautéed spring vegetables at Ginos, which may or may not be part of a chain. It was excellent and satisfied our craving for veggies after last night’s pintxos.
Jacquie GaudetTo Margie AndersonThat’s the idea! It’s 7:20 am here now and today will be our most challenging ride yet, so we’ll see… Reply to this comment 6 months ago
