Ron walked down to the bakery around 7 AM. He must have been too early, as there were no crusty loaves like we had seen yesterday. He was able to get only a narrow baguette. We enjoyed our bread cheese, and delicious President Butter in front of the open windows overlooking La Concha Bay. The waters are a brilliant turquoise.
It was a slower morning even than usual. I had mentioned going to Bilbao since it was a lovely day with no rain clouds in sight, but Ron said he'd prefer not driving anywhere today. We passed the morning reading, writing, and enjoying the scenery.
About noon, we walked a few blocks behind the apartment to another pintxos bar I had read about. Think we were too early, as it was empty and didn't look that intriguing. We ended up at another Bar Pepe, this one more modern in appearance than the one directly next to the apartment, but the same menu on a wooden board.
Ron picked a few items from the bar (cold tapas are arranged on the bar, and you can just point - hot tapas you order from the menu). One had a large shrimp on top of a pile of something minced that was orange on a slice of French bread. I ate the shrimp and nibbled at the unidentified substance. Ron had two plates of olives, peppers, and anchovies. He ordered a potato dish mixed with mushrooms and ham (tasty) and a plate of free-range chicken wings.
We had noticed people tossing their napkins on the floor, and initially thought this was rather uncouth. However, I read this is the tradition in pintxos bars. In fact, there is one that specializes in clams, and people throw the clam shells on the floor much like we do peanut shells at some bars in the US. Ron wasn't sure if I was kidding him, but it is true! Interesting to learn these little "tidbits" about the local culture.
We walked past the building where the elderly and infirm reside, and many were going out and in with their assistants. The way I was hobbling at a snail's pace, everyone probably thought I belonged there and Ron was my "helper". I had wanted to take a taxi to a restaurant with a beautiful terrace and view at the west end of "our" beach (Ondarreta), but we were a little concerned that if we couldn't get in for some reason, there was no taxi stand nearby (they are all marked on our map). Ron thought I was nearing the end of my "limit" for walking, and thought we should go to the apartment for a rest. I think it's a good thing, as I was in a lot of pain when we got back, tore off the hot back brace, turned on the air-conditioning, and lay flat to rest my back. Ron had a short nap on the sofa.
Mid-afternoon he walked to the big grocery store about five blocks away. He bought enough for the evening's dinner and breakfast tomorrow, as well as necessities such as dish washing liquid. BTW, the dishwashing liquid is like pouring green water on your dishes.
We stayed in the rest of the day. Our flat-screen TV here is about useless, as there is no EuroSport channel (so no French Open) and no English-language, so no live coverage of Comey testimony. We watched some of it on the internet.
That evening Ron sautéed a chicken breast and made penne pasta with the chicken, mushrooms, peppers and artichoke hearts. Ron enjoys all of the preparation involved in making a dish. Unfortunately, what he though was heavy cream he was buying was actually sheep milk, so the dish was not the consistency we are used to!
Hoping to feel better (and more energetic) tomorrow and get out and do something. Then again, this is "slow travels".
It was a slower morning even than usual. I had mentioned going to Bilbao since it was a lovely day with no rain clouds in sight, but Ron said he'd prefer not driving anywhere today. We passed the morning reading, writing, and enjoying the scenery.
About noon, we walked a few blocks behind the apartment to another pintxos bar I had read about. Think we were too early, as it was empty and didn't look that intriguing. We ended up at another Bar Pepe, this one more modern in appearance than the one directly next to the apartment, but the same menu on a wooden board.
 |
| Bar Pepe II |
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| Free-range wings |
We had noticed people tossing their napkins on the floor, and initially thought this was rather uncouth. However, I read this is the tradition in pintxos bars. In fact, there is one that specializes in clams, and people throw the clam shells on the floor much like we do peanut shells at some bars in the US. Ron wasn't sure if I was kidding him, but it is true! Interesting to learn these little "tidbits" about the local culture.
 |
| Napkins on floor of Pintxos Bar |
We walked past the building where the elderly and infirm reside, and many were going out and in with their assistants. The way I was hobbling at a snail's pace, everyone probably thought I belonged there and Ron was my "helper". I had wanted to take a taxi to a restaurant with a beautiful terrace and view at the west end of "our" beach (Ondarreta), but we were a little concerned that if we couldn't get in for some reason, there was no taxi stand nearby (they are all marked on our map). Ron thought I was nearing the end of my "limit" for walking, and thought we should go to the apartment for a rest. I think it's a good thing, as I was in a lot of pain when we got back, tore off the hot back brace, turned on the air-conditioning, and lay flat to rest my back. Ron had a short nap on the sofa.
Mid-afternoon he walked to the big grocery store about five blocks away. He bought enough for the evening's dinner and breakfast tomorrow, as well as necessities such as dish washing liquid. BTW, the dishwashing liquid is like pouring green water on your dishes.
We stayed in the rest of the day. Our flat-screen TV here is about useless, as there is no EuroSport channel (so no French Open) and no English-language, so no live coverage of Comey testimony. We watched some of it on the internet.
That evening Ron sautéed a chicken breast and made penne pasta with the chicken, mushrooms, peppers and artichoke hearts. Ron enjoys all of the preparation involved in making a dish. Unfortunately, what he though was heavy cream he was buying was actually sheep milk, so the dish was not the consistency we are used to!
OLD SPANISH PROVERB: "HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS TO DO NOTHING, AND THEN REST AFTERWARDS"
Hoping to feel better (and more energetic) tomorrow and get out and do something. Then again, this is "slow travels".
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