Autumn storm in Loredo - Cave exploration in Cueva El Soplao - November 3rd

During the night, things get really intense as we experience our first autumn storm on the coast. We wake up around half past one in the night and stay awake for a while. The wind is extremely strong, and the rainwater feels like it's pouring hectoliters against our rear windows. The bus is shaking back and forth, and the mulberry trees above us drum loudly on the roof. I briefly consider saving our flip-flops, which are under the bus, but decide against it, only opening the door by a millimeter...! We briefly think of the Spanish boys in the tent...oh crap...hopefully, they'll hold on!

After two hours, it calms down a tiny bit, but tiredness takes over, and we fall asleep again. In the morning, it's dry, but still extremely windy. The neighbors have completely moved or turned their caravan, and the boys...well...there's nothing left...everything has collapsed! I find the flip-flops behind the car, and we collect the dishes under the bus again, as the washbasin couldn't stay upright during the night either!

Jörn takes the dog, and the waves on the beach are still about 6 meters high, the sea is in a good mood...the storm had reached about 125 km/h here in Santander during the night...quite a decent one!

We've had enough of the wind and want to move on. After breakfast at the campsite bar, we pack everything up and head towards Picos, inland. Here we want to check out the El Soplao cave. It's like the Spanish version of the Atta Cave. Spain has over 6,000 caves, which we didn't know. So no one should worry about our Ruhr area collapsing one day...Spain has been managing it for a long time already...! On the way there, we realize that the storm hasn't spared the inland either...we have to drive around fallen trees, and the city boys are busy clearing the roads...and on a Sunday...what a treat...!

We buy two tickets and then have to wait for half an hour until a small wooden train takes us into the cave. This time I bring the camera with me, only to find out that photography is prohibited...great! As we explore the cave, we realize that it's a guided tour with a really nice Spanish guide...but...even though we're practically fluent in Spanish by now, we don't understand a word...except for estalactitas and estalagmitas...at least!

Nevertheless, it was very interesting and exciting to see. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a lunch menu in the on-site cafeteria before setting off again with our bellies full. We drive through the Picos, a beautiful mountain landscape, and check into a very nice spot near Avin in the afternoon. On our pitch, we have a little cat family as neighbors, which Otto doesn't find quite as cute...!

In the evening, it's time for our rain cover again, as it's drizzling despite the warm air. We make use of the free WiFi, do some laundry, and enjoy a relaxed evening.