Day Six - Taull - San Sebastian

Day Six

Date:     5 April  2013

Place:    Taull – San Sebastian

Weather:   Light snow – overcast and bleak.  2.5 degrees to 10 degrees.

Accommodation:   Arrizul Hostal, San Sebastian

After a beautiful sunny day showing off the Pyrenees at its best we were surprised to wake up to light snow falling.  We were so excited and as we sat having breakfast the snowflakes became larger and was leaving a lovely dusting of snow on the ground and rooftops.  Desley summed it up well by commenting that it looked like Christmas ornaments….and we were in our own winter wonderland!

Snow on the rooftops.

Falling snow in the courtyard of our accommodation....cold but fun!

 

 

We set off around 10am heading towards San Sebastian.  The snow fell (at times in large flurries) until the tunnel to Vielha.   As we emerged on the other side of the mountain the sky was clear and our snow experience was over.

A toilet stop at St Beat.....squat style and straight into the river!

 

Cameron was the navigator today with a map in hand and notes we had taken off the internet.  We detoured to Lourdes for lunch and found a little café before we set off to see the grotto where Bernadette saw the Virgin Mary.  The apparitions appeared to a young Bernadette eighteen times from 11 February 1858.

We walked from just outside the main centre to the church and grotto.  The church is huge and as we neared the entrance we could see small blue covered carriages being towed by people.  Inside were the old and infirm being taken to a special mass for healing.  The people were covered with hand knitted rugs to keep them warm.  It was a very moving experience as the carers, known and unknown to the stricken took such wonderful care of them. 

The basilica is huge....note the blue carriages in line.

The grotto with a statue to the Virgin Mary above it.

 

We looked inside the church before the mass commenced and then wandered around looking for the grotto. The weather had turned for the worst and we were exploring in steady light rain.   As we were expecting a massive line up we were surprised to find a small line to the cave where the Virgin Mary appeared.  As we filed through we touched the rock that millions have touched before and is now worn smooth from the Lourdes’ pilgrims.

I had bought a small bottle on the way down past the myriad of shops offering all kinds of religious wares.  I didn’t think I would have a chance of getting near the spring so I only bought one bottle on the off chance this may occur.  As it turned out it was easy to get the water as a tap system is set up into the side of the church next to the grotto and I now have one tiny bottle of Lourdes water.  I hope it survives the trip!

It was back on the road after our wet trip to Lourdes and we had drizzle most of the way.   As we neared San Sebastian we turned on the GPS with the precious little remaining battery to find the hotel we had identified to stay that evening.   With a bit of manoeuvring (picking up a motor-bike) to make room for the car we had a parking space outside the hotel until 9am in themorning.

Our hotel manager was extremely helpful and identified many wonderful eateries for us.  San Sebastian is noted for its exciting cuisine particularly its pintxos (tapas).  There was one not too far from us and we had a great time choosing tasty little morsels from the bar.  I’ve managed to learn how to order a white wine in Spanish so I’m feeling pretty clever!

Tapas heaven!  No wonder San Sebastian has a reputation for producing the best.

 

It was a very cold walk back to the hotel.  Hopefully better weather tomorrow!