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Well it is time for the annual birthday and anniversary trip!
We depart this afternoon to start our next adventure.
On my birthday

We will wake up tomorrow morning in Porto, Portugal to begin our 3 week adventure across Northern Spain.

Follow the blog along our journey as we spend October in España

Tom--wow, another great trip for us all to read about! Enjoy!!

Happy Birthday Tom. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday/Anniversary!!!! Safe travels!

Well we are here!
Trip over was very long,

Using a new format so you will always go to home page and cursor down until you see NEW

Enjoy more to come! Porto is beautiful!

LInk: We are here!

Our first day in Porto



New post can be found on the homepage link - October in España
or the direct link is: Day 1 - Porto

Oh boy, Italy and Portugal in one forum.

Porto is an amazing city. The beauty is unmatched and the food to die for.
Today we played tourist and had a blast!

Link: Day 2 - Porto

Thanks for another lovely installment! Those stairs, even going down, would be a definite 'no go' for me. Too much chance of tripping, for a clumsy person like me.

Enjoying the reports Tom, hope you're not too bruised!! Now get those steps in!!!!!!!!!

That seafood lunch looked pretty good. Shrimp, calamari? Mussels? And what do they call fries in Porto

batatas fritas of course 😉

It is time to drink some Port - Please Join Us!



LINK: Day 3 - Porto

Wow - Three trip reports running at once on the World Wide Travel Thread!
Beerman, EllenS, and Me!
The fans must be
Thanks for following along

We are

You are right Tom. Wonderful even for Europeans like me as I'm getting introduced to places I've yet to visit. I know you have a very definite schedule for your current trip but, if you have time, I urge you to take a short diversion between Bilbao and Logrono and visit San Sebastian. You may have been before but if you haven't it is the most wonderful seaside city 70 miles or so along the coast from Bilbao.

Enjoying your blog Tom, great pics as usual. These reports confirm that travel is happening! Just 6 months ago I was still unsure about traveling abroad. Talking about when and where to next, right now! Enjoy the rest of your trip, cheers!

I’m considering northern Spain now after seeing Tom’s blog. I’ve been to Porto and loved it, but that San Sebastián that was recommended looks lovely.

Maybe north Spain scooting around to western France?

Lots of choices!

Ellen S,

Thanks for following along. The blog is still a few days behind, but c'est la vie

Hang in there - there is more to come in Galicia.
The Ribeira Sacra may be the prettiest place I have ever seen. And oh what a drive.
The food and wine journey has been amazing with just a few hiccups.

Enjoy

Well we are in Spain! Primarily a travel day to Vigo.
Vigo is known for seafood, especially Oysters!
Grab a bottle of Albariño and have few with us as we begin the Spanish leg of our journey.

LINK: Day 4 - Vigo - Arrival in Spain

We are slowly catching up.

Today's adventure takes to a very old city and to the home of Albariño. A rainy day, but a good one!

Grab glass and enjoy - Link: Albariño Anyone?


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Ok part four oysters were incredible. Do they serve lemon, mignonette, or ha ha cocktail sauce. Enjoying all things food and wine. Towns are enjoyable as well.

The oysters were served with lemons. I did not use them and normally do not anytime with seafood.
I cook with it to add acidity to a dish, but raw lemon juice on a delicate oyster is just too much for me.
I guess I am weird because I love the taste of the sea and not of the citrus orchard when I eat seafood.
I It does not enhance the flavor instead it covers the taste.

As for cocktail sauce... NEVER on anything! Talking about covering up the flavor. Of course IMHO

Hang in there more to come!

Find out what happens when you pull the ropes.
Not a pretty story for me today, but a very memorable experience.
Hope everyone out there is doing ok.



LINK: Day 6 - Vigo Not a pretty story

Today was a beautiful day in a small seaside town that has an interesting place in history.
We also had a chance to have lunch with someone very special in our lives.
For over 30 years of 44 years of marriage we toasted each other with a wine that was made by him.
My mother also said, Tell name or the story but not both... you guys get the story.



Enjoy our amazing day by the sea...
And of course the adventures of Tom... what will he do today?

LINK: Day 7 - Vigo An amazing day by the sea!

Ladies and Gentleman please fasten your seatbelts!
We will be driving through the Ribeira Sacra. One of the prettiest drives we have ever done.
Growing grapes in this region is CRAZY.



LINK: Day 8 - Monforte De Lemos

Leaving the coast and headed inland. As the picture says, Today I am going!

LINK: Day 9 - Leon

It is Saturday in Leon! A wonderful day in the city, and amazing show of color and light!

LINK: DAY 10 -León - I see the light!

Great reports! I like the history, especially firsthand account stuff!! Barolo is breathing!!

Thanks Beerman - I am also enjoying following Northern Italy. Lake Como is must for us! How was the Barolo?

Next Installment is up!

What does church, a race, a very strange building, an amazing wine all have in common? It must be Sunday in León!

Link: Day 11 - León




If you are just joining in you can find links to all the blogs at the home page: October in España

Today's was one of the most memorable days of my life. We were able to experience something first hand that I could have only dreamed about 3 months ago.

It rates right up there when Roger Maris in 1961 during a Washington Senators vs NY Yankees game walked over the fence and smiled then waved to me.
Holy Moly both events will never be forgotten.

As everyone has figured out by now I am truly into wine. Today we were able to spend a day with a legend and got a private tour of his vineyards and winery.
If that was not enough we had barrel samples of some amazing wines.

Link: Day 12 - León

Indeed the fans are Carry on.

Lets go to Rioja!

Leaving Leon and headed to Rioja. Join the Ride!

LINK: Day 13- Lets go to Rioja!

A day of wine and miracles in Rioja!

The beauty of this wine region is hard to describe in words! My only hope is that the pictures do it justice.
Today we visit a legendary winery and trace a down a legend or miracle depending....
James Michener documented a story in the book Iberia that we just had to follow up on.
What a day!

Link: A day of wine and miracles!

Great report and pics Tom! By the way, Nebbiolo tastes good off the vine too! Cheers!

Thanks Beerman, I am glad you are enjoying.
My goal is to get next one out tomorrow.


¡salud! 😉

This trip for us has been center around wine and food.
Today we visit a place that is a legendry when it comes to Spain and wine. I am still not sure how we got a tour... but we did and it was amazing.
A winery visit that few have ever experienced, architecture that is on the cutting edge, and of course scenery that leaves a lifetime memory... that was today.
I sure hope everyone has gone to the store grabbed a Rioja and is following along.

Check it out - Link: Day 15 - Rioja

Sorry for the break, but life gets in the way sometime.

Today we cross the mountains to Basque Country and begin our stay in Bilbao.
An absolutely beautiful drive on a not so pretty day.

Ride along as head over the mountains!

Link: Day 16 - Bilbao

Tom, here's the story behind the bull 'structure' you saw in the Basque country. They are all over Spain and are actually advertising billboards... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_bull

Thank you Mike!
A love when a mystery is solved.

Thanks for following along

If you are in Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum is a must! The building is spectacular and the art is... very modern.
We had a lovely day in the museum, walking along the river, and eating way too much.
Another Great Day in Spain!

LINK: Day 17 - Bilbao Modern Art and Lots of Food

I am still alive and well... holiday prep keeping us pretty busy.

Enjoy a Sunday in Bilbao!

Link: Day 18 - Bilbao Let the Children Play!

I am so relaxed after reading this day in Bilbao!! I so enjoy your blogs. Thank you

Thanks Toast for your kind words! We only have two days left and we decide deliberately to have a chill departure!
Next blog up is a day at the beach! Here is a sneak peak on what is to come. It is not White Bay, but it is on the same path to heaven

As our trip is coming to and end
We decide to keep it simple and exit totally chilled.
Come hangout with us on the beach!

LINK: Day 19 - Bilbao - A day at the beach!

Bet you thought I would never get to the last installment
I can hear you say... yeah yeah and Christmas is coming!
Guess What!
It is almost Christmas and the Blog is done!

Link: Day 20 - Bilbao Agur Bilbao - Adiós Spain!

Thanks for your patience and for following along!
Merry Christmas!

Thoroughly enjoyed every installment!!

Thanks Toast!
Spain is a very special place for us!
Headed to Sicily in April for the next adventure.