The best part of a year

When Kerensa and I were in Santander we were talking about how long we'd actually spent in Spain; we say a year but in reality it's only about eight or nine months - an academic year. I called it, "the best part of a year," and that got me thinking. When we say "the best part of," we mean the majority, the longest part - not actually the most enjoyable or successful part. But this year has been "the best part," in both senses; the longest and the most fun. I went off on a little pensive turn and realised how lucky I am that the majority of my year has also been the best. My time in Oviedo has been both.

I'm in Santiago de Compostela now; I arrived yesterday but more about that later. First I have several weeks of fun to fill in.

Santander

I finally made it along to Cantabria and Santander with Kerensa a few weekends ago as she was sailing back  home (how much cooler than an easyjet flight is that?!) 

Expecting horrible weather - as the forecast told me - I was dressed for winter and arrived in summer. Unimpressed. Nonetheless Santander was really gorgeous and I'm so happy we got to see it in the sunshine.

The very lovely views from our very lovely window of the very lovely hostel.

We spent the day walking around and taking pictures. Kerensa pretended to be a lion beside the Post Office to match her pretending to be a lion picture from Barcelona. 

We took a long walk along the front of the town by the beach and out on to the Penisula at the end. Which has a huge building called the Palacio de Magdalenas - and just happens to be where my FAVOURITE Spanish period drama is set!! (Okay, the ONLY period drama I've watched in Spain.)

We took a wander back down the hill and found the Cantabrian Children's Day was going on in the park so sat and ate some awesome food, listened to music and I'm pretty sure I witnessed the first training sessions of a future Barca player!

We also had a very odd interaction with some people selling raffle tickets to support the "Cantabria libre," movement. I really had no idea that CANTABRIA wanted to be independent too! Spain; seriously - get your act together. The guy also said, "Free Alba," when he found out I was Scottish; unfortunately my Spanish isn't good enough to give him the reply I wanted to so I simply smiled politely. 

The next day the weather wasn't as great in the morning so we explored the Cathedral and ate ice cream! 

Then it was bye bye Kerensa time - something I was not looking forward to. I packed her off on the ferry and then wandered around by myself for a few hours. My love affair with ALSA almost ended when my super swish Supra bus to Oviedo was cancelled because of a strike! But I got home eventually! Thank God.

The Scottish Invasion

The Celtic invasion of Oviedo has been long overdue and finally last week after lots and lots of planning I received my first visitor who wasn't related to me! 

Of course, the huelga meant that Sarah's journey was more than slightly hindered on her arrival in Asturias; a wait of two hours in the airport. However she finally arrived - I had to race the bus along the road to the bus station (stupid traffic lights slowed me down). After a quick stop for some food we watched My Week with Marilyn!

Our next day was one I had been looking forward to for weeks. CEILIDH DANCING!

All of my first years in one room with ceilidh music - how could it possibly go wrong? 

In reality, they managed the Virginia Reel rather well - although the Grand Old Duke of York bit at the end confused them slightly. Then, I over-reached: Gay Gordans. I forgot that the hold is something every Scot is born knowing how to do but it's really difficult to try and explain; I got to the point where I didn't even know how it worked any more! Regardless; the kids really enjoyed themselves and Sarah only had to break out the; "I teach five year old's who are better behaved than you!" once.

Now, there has been a theme that has emerged whenever Sarah and I visit each other - it tends to involve a lot of sitting about watching TV and this trip was no different. Mostly because we became a little nocturnal instead; three words - Five Night Bender. 

So that night Sarah was introduced to Oviedo night-life and the next we went to an Espicha at Tierra Astur. An Espicha is basically a huge meal served on long tables with music and cider and wine. Tell me any part of that that sounds bad?! The huegla still going the actual getting to the restaurant which was out in Colloto proved difficult but we survived. I cannot even begin to explain how much food we ate. Oh God. So much. 

It was also Tom's last night. Bye bye Tom :(
Epic trip in general completed by Sarah and I having a national anthem battle in the taxi home - we won.

Friday was the arrival of Emma-Lou and Jacqueline; also hindered by the huelga.
(Seriously Alsa - it's over, we're done.)
They arrived an were immediately introduced to the joys of Menu del Dia and taken for an explore around Oviedo.
Despite my promises and my praying for good weather; we were met with a severe lack of sunshine - but no matter; to Calatrava! We went shopping on Saturday which I had previously hoped would have been our beach day - the joys of Zara soon placated the Scots and a walk around Campo San Francisco filled out culture quota for the day.

Saturday. Three letters. BNO. (Big Night Out)

Yummy food. Cocktails. Calle Mon.
I also drank out of a coconut at one point; I'm still not entirely sure why.
Jacqueline and Sarah gifted us with a full dance routine to Call Me Maybe which had (thanks to a fantastic video of Barrack Obama) been stuck in all of our heads all weekend. I could put all the pictures in here; but that would take forever. Needless to say - it's genius.

Sunday. Jacqueline slept; we three went to Mass. When will I learn to remember when special holidays are?! The Cathedral was full for possibly the first time I've ever seen; and all the children were dressed in their Communion dress.  My usual speedy 12 o'clock Mass took over an hour. I shouldn't moan but.... it was finally sunny outside!!
After rising Jacqueline from her stupor we took off to Gijón. Hello beach!

The required by law picture beside the sign.

After saying lots that day that I didn't mind only seeing the second half of the Spain - Italy match, once knowing that we'd be back for kick-off I almost ran up Gascona to get to a TV. My drink had to be taken off me more than once for fear of it going over my head and smashing. 

Emma-Lou didn't enjoy the game much; commenting that it would be  more fun if they fought. 

So after watching De Rossi and Torres fight (clearly over my heart) we went for some lovely dinner and once again for cocktails - running theme.

Monday morning was Adios Sarah time - very sad as its the last time I'll see her until September :(

It meant I had to get up suuuuuper early to go to the bus station with her, nonplussed.com

It was still raining; my plans for things to do epically failed and so Emma-Louise, Jacqueline and I enjoyed the eating of pinchos and drinking of coffee; not to mention a few more trips to Zara and Mango. 

We finished their visit with a trip to Peggy Sue's - where Emma described the food as, "the best burger," she'd ever eaten; I've yet to inform the management to place a plaque somewhere to that effect. And of course, the standard Sparkly Bar trip. 

Jacqueline was shocked.

It was amazing to have them visit - even though the weather was quite rubbish I'm glad they finally got to really see what my life was like in Oviedo; and why I'm never going to stop talking about it!!

On Wednesday night Holly and I went for our first meal out together EVER. (We had eaten at the dining room table together for the first time only the week before!) A drive to Gijón and some very tasty food.

And there you have it. The end of my time in Oviedo. 

I still can't quite believe that it's over. I think I'm in denial. I feel like this is a little holiday to Santiago de Compostela but I'll be back in Oviedo in no time. But alas no; soon it's back to reality.

BUT NOT YET! Two weeks here and then a week travelling with the family around Castilla-la-Mancha.

I want to say thank you to everybody I met in Oviedo (if any of them actually read this!) especially to the ones I won't see for a while. I really did have the most amazing year there and it wouldn't have been the same without any of you! 

Gracias, y hasta luego!