Dez, diez, ten, dix

Ten years blogging!!!!!!

Red shirt of Portuguese National Team (CR7)

Cambelas had a Norwegian summer this year. Not only because the weather in July and August was bad, but also because the village...my village, was invaded by Norwegians! A family of five plus other members of their family and some of their friends came to enjoy this precious corner of Portugal. After spending almost a month in Cambelas my friends hybridised in Norskcambelenses. They blended with the spirit of the village and became loved by all my neighbours. And CR7 played his part too in the daily dressing and undressing of two little Norwegian boys. You will be always welcome here!

And my Portuguese friend who lives in Bergen and his Norwegian girlfriend who came later on too!



And also blue sky at the Tatras mountains

I did almost everything the guidebook I had borrowed about the Tatras mountains advised me to do. I bought a good map, I bought water and lots of food and I left my next in kin's contact and expected locations at the reception of the hotel I stayed in Zacopane. The only advice I did not follow was to walk with a partner and so I was on my own. Well, I thought I was going to walk on my own, but as soon as I arrived at the bottom of the mountain I found out I was not going to walk on my own. Being one of the main summer destinations for the almost 40 million Polish, the Tatras walking routes were packed with people. Even nuns I saw scrambling the most difficult bits. The views are breath-taking and I would definitely go back. But maybe in another time of the year or visiting the Slovakian Tatras instead. At least Slovaks are only 5.5 million!

Blue sky at the Scafell

 "Scafell is the second highest mountain in England and its two main crags provide the focal point of Lake District climbing. Throughout the past hundred years these crags have been a forcing ground for standards, and many of the routes are rich in history and legend. The only drawback of these crags is their position, high on the mountain, and therefore subject to the worst conditions that the weather can produce. When it is dry and warm, there is no finer place to climb in England." In Lake District Rock, FRCC guide.

It was indeed high up in the mountain. Thus, there was a walk of more than two hours (with about 7kg of gear on the back) involved. But even loaded I managed to be always ahead of a group of young boys and girls (perhaps university students). This view is from the Pikes Crag which we climbed all the way up to the top.  

Orange sunset in the Lakes

This is another sunset captured in the Lake district. Just before, a group of men and women dressed up in some strange outfits, showed up and started to dance the "Morris dances" in a relaxed way and inviting people to join them. The Morris dances are English folk dances in which dancers perform some choreographies wearing bell pads on their shins and using sticks, swords and handkerchiefs. It seems to have been originated by the Morisk dances (Moorish dances). This makes sense because it resembles somehow the Portuguese folk dances performed by the "Pauliteiros de Miranda" - also danced by men with sticks, at the sound of the bagpipes.

Green waters at the Lilly ponds, Pembrokeshire

Bosherton is a small village in the south side of Pembrokeshire. It was incredibly sunny there in July, different from what I imagined Wales weather to be. Apart from the Olde Worlde Café, which deserves a visit with enough time to enjoy seating "al fresco", and the climbable rocky cliffs around St Govan's chapel, there are the beautiful Lilly Ponds. The vegetation is luxurious and several birds can be watched here. Although a touristic spot, it was very quiet when I walk around it. One of the paths leads to a big sandy beach, but the cold water did not invite for a swim.  

Colourful summer evenings in San Sebastian

 

San Sebastian in June is packed with tourists. This pleasant town in the Basque Country (Spain) has been a touristic corner for many years but mainly for the rich Spanish families who would come to the Cantabrian coast in search of good health. But this tradition is now surpassed by people looking for the beach (Playa de la Concha), culture (e.g. Film Festival of San Sebastian and the Jazz Festival) nightlife and, for summer courses. The food in the Basque Country is the best of the best: delicious jamon (chorizo), tasty cheese and beautiful wine. The food specialities are the "pintxos" which are small snacks of this and that, served in the pubs with beer, cider or wine. These appetisers have become so famous that the pubs are now full of non-Spanish and the prices have gone up. I thought it would be impossible to find a truly authentic place selling "pintxos". But I found it is not if we have the right contacts! And my contact was a professor from the University of San Sebastian. I was very sceptical about the place he described as "an authentic tavern selling the best "pintxos" to the Basque people" until I set my feet inside. And that was another world! Basques were there indeed, having their wine and eating their "pintxos". The old barman was very grumpy but with me he was great, suggesting the specialities of the house. And the one I still have my mouth watering for is a "spinach croquette" which came straight from the frying pan to my plate! Of course, as I am so bad at remembering names of places as I cannot recall the name of this pub anymore, but it is better like this, because I would like to keep it almost secret. I give a clue at least: The photo was taken in the street where the pub is located. If you find it, I hope you leave some "spinach croquettes" for me!