Bilbao

Already in the evening many Spaniards walked past, in the morning the same picture. Some talking softly, others loudly (like the Spaniards do), the next with his portable radio. I think it's great that so many are moving!

For us that meant getting up and leaving, Bilbao was on the agenda. In Bilbao there is a parking space with a fantastic view of the city, but it cannot be reserved. You can stay for a maximum of 48 hours and since most people arrive in the morning (and therefore leave after 24/48 hours), this is also the best chance of getting a place. Shortly before the motorway exit, a camper overtook us and actually drove to the pitch. If he snatches the last place from us now...

In fact, there were already five vehicles in front of us in front of the barrier. This was hung with a sign that the place was full. It doesn't matter, get out of the vehicle and head towards the queue at reception. Nobody really knew whose turn it was, what happened in which line, a wonderful mess. Two ladies tried to manage this, one outside at the barrier, the other inside at the desk. The lady at the barrier suddenly went off with slips of paper and handed one slip to the camper at the barrier, who was allowed to drive in. That went to the vehicle, which overtook us 100 meters before the departure, we didn't have an admission ticket left... So Della stood at the barrier first, I was still in line at the reception. Finally it was my turn, the lady asks me for my note. I haven't, but we're right in front of the barrier...

That didn't matter at first because the place was full, we should be patient for 1-2 hours. I got back in line and waited. Every now and then a camper drove out, but at the same interval people also came in who said that the space they were given was not free at all. Experiences and tips were exchanged among those waiting, a nice woman from France had spent the night before in the parking lot in front of the parking space, but was then woken up by the police in the morning and asked to leave the space.

At some point my time had come, there were notes again and although I wasn't standing in front, I received one (the lady at the barrier remembered me) and we were allowed to pass, hooray!!!

Parked Louise neatly, then back to reception to pay. First a high five from the receptionist that there was a seat for us and that we were in the front row! When I told her she didn't have to explain the bus connections to Bilbao, we would go into town by bike, she gave me a questioning look and said we already had e-bikes, didn't we? My partner's is a yes, mine is no. She then insisted on explaining the bus connection to me.

In short: the two ladies may not be the greatest organizational talents, but they make up for it with their warmth and wit. And the place is awesome, the view of Bilbao is just great!

After a late breakfast we cycled into town. We first decided to go through the old town to the market hall. Of course there were delicious pintxos everywhere again, so a second breakfast for us. We decided to take a ride on the hop on hop off bus to get a better overview of the city. In particular, the Guggenheim Museum is extremely characteristic of the city, but the great old town and the constant change between old and modern also make the city totally special. After countless impressions and a small evening snack, we cycled up the mountain again to end the evening with a view of the city.

Day two in Bilbao started out a bit cloudy, we used a break in the rain to cycle into the city. Late breakfast in the market hall and then off to the Guggenheim Museum. There was quite a long queue waiting for us, but it was worth the wait, the museum is highly recommended.

Then we went back and forth through the city on our bikes. In the evening we treated ourselves to a meal with a view of the city, just great!