May 19, 2012 - The entrails of fish

A low key day yesterday but with a great deal of walking. First we made our way down to the Gros area which is an area of town adjacent to the surfing area of the beach and apparently where the surfers hang out. Apart from one surf board shop we couldn't distinguish it from any other area of town but we did see some stalwart surfers in wet suits braving the cold and patiently waiting for some pretty pusillanimous waves. The beach though is entirely respectable - a lovely crescent of proper sand around which the low rise old town buildings...

May 18, 2012 - Bar Crawl

San Sebastian has a tradition of the bar crawl which Joan and I participated in this evening. It consists of going to a part of town that has lots of bars.You see one that's packed with a standing crowd and work your way through to the bar, which overflows with pintxos. You grab a plate and struggle around the crowds grabbing pieces off the bar, then show it to the barman as you order your drinks. Nothing like the disappointing fare served up at Naked for Satan in Melbourne - many of these are fantastic creations. One is a sort of voul au...

May 17, 2012 - San Sebastian - The Basque country beckons

'I speak just a leetle Eenglish,' says Amalia who of course manages very nicely. We are shown into our tiny room in San Sebastian. Great location in centre of town, a block from the beach, a block from the old area of the city with its bars and good food. But no question the room is small. But there ees plenty of cupboard says Amalia as she hurls one large suit case after another into it to prove her point and to reassure us about the room. Amalia is full on and gorgeous. She whirls us around the fifth floor of the B&B showing us what is...

Apr 18, 2012 - Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

After a short trip across the border we arrived in San Sebastian where we have decided to stay for 2 nights. Again the weather is wet but hopefully we'll get to see some more of the city tomorrow. Day 2: no change weather wise so after a wander around the old town we comforted ourselves with a couple of hours eating paella and drinking sangria in a delightful restaurant very popular with the locals. Back on the road tomorrow searching for sol and a laundrette!! Is the weather any better down south Jim?

Apr 9, 2012 - HOLY WEEK 2012

Saturday 30th march: we went to Hondarribia for lunch with some friends. It is a lovely town and the day was sunny. We ate really well and we had fun. Sunday 01 april: we went to Maialen´s football match and later we went to have lunch at Zubieta with all the family. Monday 02 april: we went to walk around the city with some friends, we went to the old city and we had pintxos and wine. In the afternoon we went to a rural house with a farm with animals in the mountain close to San Sebastian. Tuesday 03 april: In the morning we went to do...

Dec 7, 2011 - Spain & San Sebastian

6th December: Arrived in San sebastian. Been raining fairly constantly since we left Toulouse. Couldn't even see the Pyrenees on the way down. Crossing into Sp[ain was a fairly innocuous occasion - a Toll gate no less!! In fact 3 toll gates within 10km! Doesn't look too promising on the way in - concrete hi rises dominate the landscape. It all looks a bit industrial and urban. Not long before things change however. Suburban streets give way to tree lined boulevards. Tall nondescript apartment blocks give way to stylish hotels and commercial...

Nov 13, 2011 - San Sebastian - Pintxos Pintxos Pintxos

5 Wonderful nights in San Sebastian. Again we booked an apartment for this extended stay which proved to be a stroke of genius - it had a washing machine !!!!! What it didn't have was a kettle or a toaster - a little oversight that was easily fixed. The apartment gave us the opportunity to go to the supermarket and buy some cereal, milk, bread, yoghurt, tea and coffee - normal breakfasts. It also meant we could sleep in and not have the 1030 breakfast deadline - how are we ever going to go back to work??we dont rise til midday....we dont...

Nov 10, 2011 - Bilbao

Arrival in Bilbao is like arriving in a completely different temperature zone. Sunny days, short sleeves and very mild nights with no need for the heavy jackets we have been using of late. It was a very nice change. Our accomodation in Bilbao is an apartment which will also be a nice change. We will be able to have our own schedule and do what we like- it is very hard getting to breakfast by 1030 each day, now we will be able to sleep til noon and start the day like the Spanish do. I am not sure how we are going to go back to work.... but...

Oct 27, 2011 - It's a Party!

Marilyn's Musings Just over the Pyrenees from France lies San Sebastian, the capital of Basque Spain. It is a major tourist destination with a well-attended jazz festival each year. In September, there is an International Film Festival; I think Helen Mirren was just leaving the town as we drove in! There are a few museums and interesting buildings to visit should you want to do that sort of thing. Its main claim to fame lies in its gastronomy. In addition to having more Michelin stars per inhabitant than any other place on earth and having...

Oct 19, 2011 - Through the Mist and Into the Light

Wednesday, October 19 We awoke to fog and rain. Morning Prayer focused on the Light. After breakfast, we ascended by bus into the mist of the mountains to Arantzazu, a Franciscan sanctuary for the Virgin of Arantzazu, patron of the province along with Ignatius. Sanctuary of Arantzazu Map After a torturous visit to the gift shop (don’t ask), we returned to Loyola for lunch, time for individual prayer, and later in the day, a visit to the Chapel of Olatz where we had Evening Prayer and Mass. Our points for meditation … Ignatius went on...

Oct 18, 2011 - Being Changed

Tuesday, October 18 (Note: Trouble loading photos last night and today. Problems with software. Sorry for the delay.) After Morning Prayer, we took the bus into Azpeitia, a short distance down river from Loyola Castle and our hotel. We walked along the road that Ignatius walked as he returned home a changed man, committed to teaching catechism to children, preaching, and working among the poor and in hospitals. We celebrated Mass in the Madelena Chapel near the site of the hospital and almshouse where Ignatius worked. Our points for...

Oct 17, 2011 - Composition of Place

At the start of the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius advises that one should “see the place”. He calls this the “composition”. Our first full day here in Loyola provided us the opportunity to “see the place” and be present. It was a full but restful day, nice not to be on a plane or a bus. After breakfast, we gathered to pray the Liturgy of the Hours in the chapel of the Arrupe Hotel. Following prayer, we walked to the Loyola Family Castle and toured the three floors. We celebrated Mass in the Chapel of the Conversion on the third-floor. The...