Oviedo Cathedral 9.9.25
Having had two nights in Limpias this morning we also take our cases with us as we head down and out as we are moving along the northern coast. Excellent roads would make local driving very simple.
Our initial destination is the town of Oviedo and the guide had been talking expansively about it being the capital of the local cider industry. As a Spanish town it has a large church and a square.
La Regenta 9.9.25
The statue of La Regenta is a pictorial recognition of the heroine of a book which has become recognised belatedly as a classic of Spanish literature who lived and wrote in Oviedo and the books are set in the city.
After visiting these we walk to the market and I acquire a new belt as my existing ones have all given up the unenviable task of restraining my gut from wandering around.
Cheeses Oviedo 9.9.25
In the market there was cheese for sale. Regrettably the UK government currently prevents import of European cheese because there was a small foot and mouth outbreak in the Spring – soon brought under control – the continuance of the ban is unfathomable.
We then wander back and, based on the recommendation, decide that the place to get some lunch is the Calle Gascona – with about 15 bars serving food and cider. We cannot recommend it. I think we try four different establishments. We struggle to attract interest from the staff, to find anything in English as a menu (and at this point do not get me started on Google translate which appears to struggle with the menus here). When we do get seated relatively comfortable and with a menu of which we can make sense we probably both make poor choices. I went for the dish described in terms of being as “grandmother used to make” (paraphrasing) and I had forgotten just how poor the area once was and consequently the nature of the available foods.
Other people may have different experiences but interestingly one commentator suffered equally badly in this street and then ate elsewhere and did remarkably well. If only he had been before us and not after!!
After lunch we went onto Gijon a pleasant coastal town. The coach rolled to a stop outside an unexpected and unplanned treasure – a railway museum which has a neat collection of trains – standard gauge, narrow gauge and industrial on display and kept me happily occupied for quite some time.
Rail Museum Gijon 9.9.25
I could add numerous photos and direct you elsewhere for an in depth review. This is a former mine locomotive built I believe by Dufel. However there is a lot in a small space and in an adjacent yard much more waiting restoration.
We did find time to visit the beach before moving on to Parador de Vilalba where we have three nights. Walking into the room was a touch of deja vu as it is fitted out almost identically to the previous Parador – which was a slight surprise but once over the shock at least we can soon find everything!