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Incursion into Galicia and return to Asturias

 
It was one of the spots I wanted to discover for a long time: Praia de Catedrais or “Beach of the Cathedrals”, in Galicia, about ten kilometers from the border with Asturias. A spot that has become extremely touristy since it was published hundreds of times on Instagram, so much that you now have to register on Internet to be allowed to access it via a QR code. As some arches are only accessible at low tide, this further concentrates the crowd at certain times of the day.
 
First there around 3pm, I gave up as there were so many people. Thus, we discovered it the next day around 8am and if there were still a lot of people, it was probably 5 or 10 times less than the day before.
 
 
1. The site consists of a cliff whose bottom is at sea level and “sanded” on a beach.
 

 
 
2. The most famous arches, in a row with each other.
 

 
 
3. What a perspective!
 

 
 
4. Another arch on the way back to the access to the foot of the cliff.
 

 
 
5. Heading back west, we follow the coast on small roads and come across a pretty lighthouse: Faro de Ribadeo.
 

 
 
6. A little further East, a pretty wild cove. We discover that it is currently reserved for nudists.
 

 
 
7. New stop a few miles further to discover another natural arch, at the Mirador de Atalaya.
 

 
 
8. We continue to follow the coast, sometimes on trails, discovering pretty coves like this one.
 

 
 
9. Here a pretty little harbor, in Viavelèz.
 

 
 
10. It’s time to look for a place to camp and after three unsuccessful attempts, we find a spot above a beautiful cliff that turns orange at sunset.
 

 
 
11. The next morning, discovery of a pebble beach after a short offroad session on an abandoned path.
 

 
 
Then we leave the coast to reach the mountains of the Somedio National Park. To be discovered in the next update. 😉
 

Cantabria…

 
Here is the continuation of our discovery of northern Spain, now in Cantabria.
 
 
1. Here we are on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Golfe de Gascogne where it is blowing strong that day.
 

 
 
2. Walk in the eucalyptus trees.
 

 
 
3. Emile wants to see a lighthouse up close, so we take the coastal path.
 

 
 
4. Ajo lighthouse.
 

 
 
5. We also discover a nearby natural arch.
 

 
 
6. Emile giving the scale.
 

 
 
7. Window on the ocean…
 

 
 
8. After sleeping practically over this arch, we discover a very famous spot the next day: Urros de Liencres.
 

 
 
9. Low tide uncovers rock strata…
 

 
 
10. Little alcove…
 

 
 
11. Another quick hop to discover another natural arch: El Castro de las Gaviotas. We park towards a pretty chapel.
 

 
 
12. Small cove in the cliff…
 

 
 
13. The arch still partially hidden.
 

 
 
14. And here it is complete.
 

 
 
15. After looking for almost two hours for a place to boondock because of the crowds at this time of the year, we finally found a nice place to sleep, at the bottom of the Picos de Europa, near the ocean and accessible only thanks to VivaLaVida’s 4-wheel drive.
 

 
 
16. The ocean is close.
 

 
 
17. The view behind our camp.
 

 
 
18. Pastel twilight…
 

 
 
To be followed soon!
 

Start…

 
After a few busy days before holidays, I left Emile and Isabelle who will join me in a few days and took the road to the North. There are 1’200 miles waiting for me to reach Hirtshals, at the Northern tip of Denmark, where leave the only ferry that joins the Faroe Islands and Iceland. Obviously not the most fun part of the trip but you have to do it…
 
 
1. Boondocking in Northern Germany.
 

 
 
2. Arrived at destination in the middle of the afternoon the day before the ferry, I took the opportunity to discover an abandoned lighthouse in the middle of the dunes…
 

 
 
3. Enjoying a spectacular sunset on the North Sea.
 

 
 
4. …
 

 
 
5. …
 

 
 
6. I then went to sleep on the beach, East of Hirtshals, where the sunrise was colorful.
 

 
 
7. …
 

 
 
8. After a visit to a local hairdresser, visit the Hirtshals lighthouse.
 

 
 
9. It’s then time to go in line for VivaLaVida to board.
 

 
 
10. Right on time, the ferry lifted anchor towards the Faroe Islands, with a good gale announced for the crossing…
 

 
 
That’s it for this short update written on the ferry while it was beating quite a bit… 🙂
 
I will stop tomorrow for three days in the Faroes, to discover these islands that have attracted me for a long time…
 
To be followed soon !