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.