The day started with heavy overcast. I started my day's venture by driving a short distance to my ancestral village of LaCavada, where I had a quick breakfast of coffee and a pastry pie with cheese, mushrooms and sausage filling. Yes, as good as it sounds.
From there I took a back road northward through some mountains, passing many farms and small, small villages. Several times I crested a mountain to see a beautiful little valley before me. The closest thing we have in the U.S. is the North Carolina/Tennessee area, maybe West Virginia.
In this part of Spain, the flora is lush and green and grows in rich soil. What is missing are old growth trees. Centuries of cannon making and ship building took most of the trees from here. Replacement eucalyptus trees have been planted over the last 100 years and are now becoming new forested areas.
Closer to the coast, the sky cleared and I was happy to sea the Atlantic and some local beaches. I followed the coast roads to Somo and Pedreña, seaside cities across the bay from Santander. A nice "asador" tempted me and I stopped for lunch. A good, fresh salad, white wine, and a grilled local snapper (Lubina) really hit the spot. Cafe and a "Chico" (after meal cordial), and I was quite contento.
Beth called me after lunch and we had a nice call, then I drove to another area of the coast hoping to get a view of the sunset. But clouds moved in and I head back to my temporary home.
Alex called and told me that his father's cooking club was having a special dinner and he wanted me to attend. The club, Zapico (a wooden pitcher), was hosting a similar club from Valencia. About 100 people showed up to enjoy a raw cod fish and pimento appetizer, and 2 paellas, one veggie and one seafood (Marisco). It was great and was capped off with a special tart made from Valencia's native oranges.
Oddly enough, I'm not expanding out of my clothes. In fact I have tighten my belt to the last hole and some clothes are getting very loose on me. I don't know, but I'm not complaining.
Tomorrow I may go fishing with Luis (Alex's father), but the weather looks iffy.
Signing off now. More later.