The river

The river - - - > See the whole set of images.
Originally uploaded by MarquiBeck

Monday November 2nd was a holiday in Asturias, so we took off to visit Fuensanta area. The drive from Oviedo was fast, not much traffic along the way... and the weather was like a spring day with the usual showers and brief shots of sunshine.

Getting there was easy and the directions proved right... we found free parking under the trees and noticed a fountain with the mineral water brand, where locals came to fill their plastic bottles... lining up.

I ventured into the forest that smelled so very good... taking shots at almost everything the camera could focus on, the colors were so dazzling... Yellows and browns, fading ochre and golden shades with bright green grass framing the dashes informed by the many falling leaves.

It was a nice walk with some splashes in the mad along the road up hill, until we encountered a naughty looking cow... it looked more like a bull with its short horns pointing straight ahead and so we stopped and pondered the way. Loud dogs in the neighborhood contributed to inform maybe this wasn't the day... and a light drizzle started to fall, so we paid attention to their barking.

We've found a great jogging spot then coming next spring... soon it'll be winter ... time to switch to ski moods and gear... and head it up the Pajares and San Isidro mountains!

Wot an electric Saxo?

Wot an electric Saxo?
Originally uploaded by MarquiBeck

Had I not gone to the "Feria" with a young Twitter friend, I'd probably have missed this beauty, namely an electric -or part electric- car resembling my first car in Spain, a white Citroen Saxo I had from 1999 to 2001. Just the sight if it and the hope that one day soon we might be using this in Oviedo normally, made my day.

The "Feria de Gijón" expert young guide insisted we go round and round visiting each and every building, except one that was not too inviting with a description that said: synthetic cement. Someone mentioned we might find a private collection of pictures in here, not informed by any signal or brochure, so we just went past it (the Twitter friend wasn't too tempted to go in, neither was I).

Other than the electric car novelty, the exhibit and theme voted by both of us as most attractive was "Living in Space" (cajAstur & INTA) where the hosts were charming. We also enjoyed the exhibits of "Montaña Central" and "Valle del Nalón". The rest was a mix of Petticoat Lane flea market and the snacks and drinks alleys you find in attraction parks. My friend had a big laugh with the Gijón City Web2.0 sports exhibit when they asked him if he'd like to participate in some video "virtual".

I thought it rather funny that most exhibits would close during Spanish lunch hours: 14:30 - 16:30hrs when most people are visiting. We went for a walk in the nearby gardens of an Asturias and its people thematic centre, after tasting Spanish sausage sandwich and homemade sweets followed by coffee from a brand you don't find in supermarkets, it tasted like the real thing.

Did I mention we saw an electric scooter? "cool people ride electric" says the brochure. The leaflet we got at the Gijón City Council building re-directs to a web of Fundación Prodintec that today informs: "Headlines, In these moments we have no(t) headlines". (somewhat perplexing)

The other side

The other side
Originally uploaded by MarquiBeck

It took a couple hours and a firm resolution not to go back when we were half way up Naranco hill... this time we made it to the Cristo parking area in order to easy going jog all the way down the main road to Oviedo.

The trail heading up after you pass by the lodge is rather narrow, at spots it makes you wonder if it's safe to keep going. This was last Sunday so when I mentioned in class this Monday that I'd been up there, there was word of wild pigs, snakes and you name it... but I don't know if that can be taken seriously. Students are creative with narrative making fun of the stories most of the time ... which is most welcome.

After we reached the new road (a mere gravel path really ... zilch indication signs by the way) connecting Lugones to Oviedo via Naranco uphill, it felt safe though rather lonely. At last the actual road up from Oviedo to Cristo came through and with it cars of course... We did find another trail heading up through the green, sort of, for half way through you're in antenna land but can't complain... we need them to tweet right?

Jogged the way back down via the main road past the barbecue place, we re-discovered the ancient church site, (stills mandatory) soon followed by the snack and restaurant area which was not too bad. In all it was circa two hours and plenty of non-stop running so better don't ask if my body is informing today, I should do this more often ;-)

Yet another vista

Yet another vista by MarquiBeck

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It was cloudy in Oviedo so we went elsewhere to look for the sun and found it in Lastres... that is, before it started raining. A fishing village along the cliffs of the Asturian coast line, Lastres was mentioned several times by friends as a good place to go scuba dive (not my favorite sport by the way, must be theirs). They said it was a special place, and later I found out they're shooting episodes for a TV series in the area, good that there were no signs of that really.

Leave the highway as soon as you see the sign (yes there is one for Lastres), follow the road heading down to the port. You'll find traffic lights right at the place where I would normally panic with the restricted maneuvering space, for instance when faced with a car heading your way, which happens all the time in these tiny coastal villages.

The way down was rather crowded even though it was hazy that Sunday, but there was a parking spot about half way down to the wharf. The perfect place to park I would soon discover.

It was a photo expedition really, for neither the day nor the actual beach were too inviting for a splash. The vistas walking down were awesome... so much that I stopped several times in the middle of the road, umbrella on one hand, camera clicking on the other. There were nice welcoming folks at the bar, "Café Lastres", specially Sandra, the bartender, who shared some of the local stories and agreed to keep the mineral I bought on ice till I returned from the walk.

Lastres demands another visit to see the lighthouse, (wonder where the heck it's hidden) and check a story shared by the locals about "the house on the cliff that has a huge garden with reproductions of ... " we'll tell you more when we find out.

Llanes in summer, almost

April 4th was a holiday in Oviedo so we took off to visit the coastal area of Llanes. Following directions gleaned from a well informed student and a young lady, whose favorite beach place happened to be on my to visit list, resulted in a perfect, iterated drive.

The map shows the village of Llanes

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I left the highway from Oviedo at the Celorio-Barros exit, finding few directions or signaling to guide the way after that. With 3 years of experience living in Asturias and some more in Cataluña I've adapted to the fact that asking the locals will definitely drive you towards the unexpected, and unplanned (they love to send you in the opposite direction you were heading to or else, that's the way I copy ;-) You'll find them looking at you with that sort of: "what the heck are You doing here!" expression, which keeps your mind open and alert. Meaning... grab the map(s) and start interacting with any gadgets at hand that provide access to updated directions, which is the same as to say: do your homework.


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There is a place called Cué, same as an associate in one of my projects, but I didn't find the place (the friend&associate is usually missing in action too most of the time...but loves to still be listed) eventually I managed to reach Andrín, the final destination for this trip. Andrín appears to be a dream-like village with very narrow roads (one track only operating as two most of them, so prepare to negotiate your way...). I found a kind of snack bar & barbecue kiosk (chiringuito for local standards), an appealing place with wooden benches outdoors like many an English pub, but this one is on a promontory right on top of the beach. Must be a fun place for the villagers at night :)

Bellota beach is pretty and pretty much deserted, the way down from the road is ... well, bumpy, so better drop the car and prepare "for a long and winding road"... to the hidden beach.

Playa del Toro was deserted but this was a working day, it probably gets very crowded on week-ends. Lovely sights ... funny rocks conforming a kind of extraterrestrial reef ... freezing water at least for my standards in June. I found a river but don't ask me the name... I'll check it out with one of my students, and let you know.