Asturias vistas

Asturias vistas, a set on Flickr.

We've been really busy with work and projects for a while but still managed to take a few shots at the changing colors of Asturias. Every new year uncovers a different combination of shades of brown and orange and green in October, announcing that there will be many short days and long nights ahead. This winter we didn't have much snow, at least not in Oviedo, and February had really mild weather, announcing a gorgeous spring that has already arrived; wonderful greens and prairies dotted with tiny pink, yellow and white flowers.

In the late summer we visited the dry Babia plains past Caldas de la Luna, and came back via Puerto de Somió -some sights and a very narrow road going down hill. In the late winter we explored the different beaches of Muros del Nalón, walking from beautiful Xilo up into the woods of the coastal trail; then it was Villaviciosa estuary and a couple of farms on the way to the Pontal, watching the tidal changes. We also had time for a short trip to Playa de San Juan de la Arena near the Airport of Asturias, which resulted in a mix of awe at a nearby stretch of open beach, and sadness looking at another beach near the village. The latter with remnants of something to dark to be sand, branches and logs that the sea washed ashore from the winter storms ... lying sadly on a stretch of muddy sand.

Last week it was time for Naranco Hill where we saw some amazing ponies.

Oviedo winter icy whites

Naranco "Pista Finlandesa" walk started on Uria St. where a quick glimpse of the hill behind FEVE was a call to go back home via the Finnish path. It started snowing heavily half way through the path uphill, but by then it was too late to go back.

The way down vía VIllamejil was awesome: free of cars and buses, not a human in sight. Street lights spotting falling snow that soon became a soft white carpet, on a road now empty and easy to walk. By the time I arrived in Pando my fingers were somewhat frosted -bad quality gloves, lesson learned, next time remind me to wear the King Kong ones.

The final stroll across Pando was easy by the time I saw a police car followed by the one bus coming downhill. The next day (Sunday) walking on ice to go roaming in Oviedo City was not so pleasant at first, it started by having to identify fast which pedestrian crossings were a frozen no go. Past the Milán square (become ice ring) it took a while to get to Parque San Francisco, which was sheer delight: rows of trees dressed in glamourous white with the Naranco background in the sun. We didn't find any fairies -xadas nor dwarfs... but Oviedo version of snow white was well worth walking on the thin ice.

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 ;-)

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

View Larger Map

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.


View Larger Map
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.

Spring in Cabranes

Spring has arrived...(a bit late if you live in Oviedo) We can confirm this after visiting Cabranes today.

A colleague mentioned the "Festival del Arróz con Leche", namely: Rice Pudding Festival in Cabranes today. I got lucky.

This has been going on for 30 years now, with a jury to try circa 70 contestants' produce, a village procession with bagpipes, and ... well, see the pictures, they tell the story.

Afterwards the village was going to have a barbecue, though I preferred to go jogging along the beautiful river trail and see where it led... I did visit the market and walk the alleys, to mingle with local folks and visitors for a great spring day.

You could see lot's of cider being splashed Asturian style "escanciada", listen to long speeches -in Spain the presence of the authorities still follows top-to-botton memes. Anyways .. it was not only great fun and a lovely day, I also discovered a great bar Casa Joselu (B&B too) with charming people and a beautiful trail to go biking or jogging (pic-nic areas included) by the river, which seems to go all the way to Villaviciosa... we'll have to check this out with a bike pretty soon.

The police where charming (yes!) ... the ones in Oviedo should go down there for some training on: how to plan in advance (all diversions of traffic worked beautifully) , treat people nicely (Cabranes ones not only responded to my questions...they smiled!) and be of service. (Yes, I said service).

Cabranes is an amazing place, while it brings back to mind the long gone voices of 80% of the population that had to migrate at the beginning of the XXth Century. (My grandparents on the Spanish side of the family and my dad included, but they left from different areas in Spain). There is a square named: Plaza de los Emigrantes, which is where the Festival center area was, the party was very much spread throughout the whole village. Word is they were able to ship their cherished rice pudding bottled to those living in South America... I'm thinking I'll have to go back to Cabranes... to learn some more :-)

See:

Cabranes Council Web

Article in buscolu.com

**Edited to comment that the trail is actually a few miles long... there is a plan to connect it with the other trail in Villaviciosa...we can only hope...

Fall in Asturias

Fall in Asturias
Originally uploaded by MarquiBeck

So autumn is here, and New York Times Photographer Bill Cunningham seems to be thrilled: See.

In Asturias September and October remind me of the best weeks in Monterey Bay for the weather is similar, the aromas and sounds are not of course.

Explorando la Playa del Silencio

Playa del Silencio
Originally uploaded by MarquiBeck

Por suerte Google Maps indicó mal y salí de la autovía antes de Ballota (otro lugar donde me han recomendado una hostería fantástica para turismo rural y excursiones). Así pude conocer la ruta comarcal de Santa Marina hasta Ballota y dar de improviso con el cartel: Playa del Silencio 1 Km.

Si bien hay que dejar el auto algo lejos y andar -a mi me encanta- bajando escaleras entre grillos y mariposas blancas ... vean por qué vale la pena el viaje. El agua aún está fría pero creo que di con un sitio favorito para leer tranquila oliendo aire puro y mar.

Posting en Estereo

Hola Gente! (Este post está apareciendo en versión WP en construcción, así que duplicamos mientras tanto aquí).

Roberto de La Brújula Verde comunica que se realiza hoy un B&BAsturias encuentro de Beers&Blogs (Cervezas y Blogs) en el Acuario de Gijón, luego de una charla relacionada con emprendedores y de seguida un vino español. Hoy no llego a tiempo, espero poder arrimarme a otros y enterarme de lo bien que se lo pasarán hoy de voz de quienes también vengan al encuentro Twittero el Sábado. Disfruté de un B&B en Barcelona V.2005 cuando se organizaban espontáneamente en las ciudades donde aparecía el Profe y Comunicador experto en Blogósfera Don Orihuela convocado por una conferencia, talleres y demás varios. Maravillosos encuentros de gente con intereses y/o aficiones en común.

En Asturias parece que la mano viene de emprendedores, all right! En fin, que el Sábado 26 a partir de las 19.30hrs esperamos hacer cruza de mundos y emprender conversaciones múltiples donde parece que ya hemos dado con un sitio-en-común! hemos ido a parar los Twitteros al mismo Café Oriental donde los Blogueros se venían juntando!! Milan Kundera decía que había que prestarle más atención a las coincidencias...vale. Me anoto.

Gente Twittera Encuentro en Oviedo

Smart Bird,
originally uploaded by mentalsys.

Me pregunto: ¿qué tal si nos reunimos gente Twittera de Oviedo, Gijón, Mieres... y demás... ?

Propongo el Bodegón de Teatinos para comenzar... de hecho hoy Sábado 4 de Noviembre nos estamos reuniendo allí dos Twitteros de Oviedo a las 8PM. (zona no fumadores....sorry) Ahora si se suman más... me banco el humo y podemos buscar un lugar con WiFi... creo que hay una parrilla en una peatonal cerca de Salesas donde alguna vez me trataron bien y la banda ancha funcionó también.

Inicié tentativamente este blog ... se aceptan ideas para socializar virtual y presencial ... je je creo que bares por aquí no nos faltan... para hacer un "Beers & Twitters" ... de hecho... ya que estamos alguien sabe de algún "Beers & Blogs" por aquí :-) ??

Acabo de reemplazar el bla bla que había aquí sobre mi llegada a Oviedo hace un año... decidí que mejor compartirlo cuando nos juntemos los Twitteros, me divierte más interactuar al momento que bloguear de a una...aunque cuento con un par de blogs explorativos.

La foto del "smart bird" se remonta a una estancia anterior en California, y al hallazgo de ciertas formas de entender la comunicación en relación con modelos de aprendizaje...pero eso lo dejo para cuando nos reunamos.