We started out from the youth hostel
all uphill past Picasso's giant tile copy of his famous painting Gernika
then passing the original Oak Tree where Spanish Kings gathered to reiterate their commitment to protecting Basque liberties. In 1937 Germany bombed Gernika killing thousands. Picasso was so upset he painted his "Gernika" which the original painting is kept in Madrid.
The warm up hike continued 300 meters up in the first 5 km and a total ascent of 639 meters with light rain on and off all day.
Just enough to need to at least cover your pack. It was too hot with the exertion to leave a rain jacket on so I was glad I had the pack cover and didn't have to were the lovely black witches poncho.
The path was so varied, rough and steep ups and downs, single person narrow tracks through high grass, between cow pastures and forests, then broader paths through deep forests where logging is being down and mud is hard to avoid in the deep tracks. Some paths were almost straight up steep hills on natures undefined steps. "Stratus Rocks". Slick as can be when wet. Some are black but most are tan. Most important I guess is the beauty in the green hills filled with lovely little flowers and ferns. We walked by a few little towns today and some huge big stone farm houses both new and old. Several houses leave out water or have a faucet you can't miss.
Even with me thinking "one step at a time", I have to say that big Green bus came right at the right time. 2:00 in the afternoon thinking how nice it would be to sleep in Bilbao tonight and rest tomorrow. We found an ancient Pension in the old quarters, 4th floor walk up. "More stairs". Al thinks it cool cause it was probably built before World War I . It has a grand wooden staircase with inlayed parquet medallions on each landing.
Yea for rest days!
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