There was a thunderstorm last night and the racket of the thunder and lightning and the rain drumming on the tin roof of the alburgue keep everyone from getting an optimal night’s sleep. We all got up at about 6:30 AM for the usual alburgue breakfast of toast slathered with butter and jam and coffee. Since I don’t drink coffee and they didn’t have orange juice, I washed down my toast with water.
This is a picture of me flanked by my two Camino Angels, Sophie 1 on the left hand side of the picture and Sophie 2 on the right hand side of the picture.
They are both French and they both teach school and they met on their first day waking the CDN from Irun to San Sebastián. They are both so nice and have been so gracious helping me navigate the public transportation system in and around Bilbao.
After our alburgue breakfast Sophie 2 suggested we catch a bus into downtown Bilbao and have a real breakfast. We all agreed that this was a brilliant idea. As we checked out of the alburgue the hospitaleros gave us heartfelt hugs and wished us Buen Camino. We walked a block to the nearest bus stop and within 40 minutes we were in downtown Bilbao at a snug little coffee shop. I immediately ordered a large orange juice and an egg, bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich. Once we had consumed our second breakfast we talked about the best way to get out of Bilbao. Walking 🚶♀️ was out of the question, so it was either a bus or a train. The two Sophies decided to take a bus to the municipal albergue in Pobena, about 20 kilometers outside Bilbao, where we were planning to spend the evening. I decided to take the subway from downtown Balboa to Portugalete, about a 10 kilometer train ride and then walk the 10 kilometers from Portugalete to Pobeña.
The subway in Bilbao is so nice and new. Much better than the bus station. I was on high alert the whole time I was in the subway station and on the train from Bilbao to Portugalete. I swore that if anyone even looked like they had a hint of larceny in their heart, I was going to impale them with the sharp end of one of my walking poles. I am happy to report that I was able to navigate the Bilbao subway system without incident and arrived in Portugalete with my person and all my possessions intact.
After walking a kilometer or so I had a choice to make. Take the regular Camino or take the alternate route through the small town of Urioste.
I decided to take the alternate route in the hope that I would be able to find a place to relax and have lunch.
My Father has been asking me about all the anchovies I have been eating. All the fish vendors in this part of Spain sell fresh anchovies.
Because these anchovies are fresh they are not salty like the preserved anchovies we eat in the States.
This is the first bar I encountered in my amble through Urioste. It looked like a nice place and it had a sign that said Pilgrims were welcome.
I got a ham and egg sandwich and a large Radler and had a pleasant lunch at one of the outdoor tables.
After I finished my lunch I went inside to use the bathroom. As I was walking through the bar area to get to the bathroom I realized that the place was filthy. The floor of the bar was littered with discarded bar napkins. There was no TP in the bathroom and I had to beg the bartender for a roll. Disgusting! I don’t know why I didn’t see this mess when I went inside to get my Radler and order my food.
After this harrowing experience I decided I needed dessert to calm me down.
This delicious chocolate treat calmed me down and pepped me up to continue my journey to Pobeña.
This is a billy goat I saw along the Way.
This shot is a nice combination of horses for you horse lovers in the audience and beautiful scenery.
About 1 kilometer before I arrived in Pobeña I walked through La Arena, a surf 🏄 town.
This is an old church on a hill overlooking Pobeña.
This is the dedicated bike/pedestrian path that runs for 20 kilometers from Bilbao to La Arena.
This is the municipal alburgue in Pobeña where I am staying this evening.
A women who is staying at the alburgue tonight is pushing the cart on the right side of the picture 5000 kilometers through France and Spain to raise awareness for people suffering from fibromyalgia.
Pilgrim Dinner tonight at a restaurant a block away from the alburgue.
Mixed salad.
Fried anchovies with the ubiquitous French fries 🍟.
That’s it for today. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thursday.
Good night from Pobeña, Spain.
AbeAndMarkontheCamino 
That dessert looks yummy and the beer does also. I think we will have lunch somewhere after the funeral, maybe nachos at the American legion.
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We did have lunch at the American legion.Thought of your dessert.Dad
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It is hard to beat lunch at the American Legion.
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