Cadavedo

 Cadavedo  

As I was walking out of Cudillero, I met another pilgrim...a mural on a wall.

Just twenty minutes before, the track I was following as level with the motorway, but El Camino dipped down to an old bridge to cross a river before climbing back up to the same level as the motorway.

But we were also never far from the coast with a calm sea.

The horreos were ifferent in this region, being a stone store room at the base with the granary built on top.

My hotel which was so far out of town, it was jsut a few metres from teh cliffs, the shore and the Ermitage de la Regalina.

The hermitage's horreo...

...overlooking its own beach...

...with views along the coast...

...the hermitage itself...

...and a view of the islets just off the coast. 

Cudillero

 Cudillero   

There was a new type of concha, it was still a yellow concha on a blue background but there was a black and brown metal piece of artwork to go with it, The first one I though was just a one off but after seeing several, it was an adopted new look, although they left the old pylon seen just behind. 

There were some pleasant walks through forests and views.

It was bright but as we get further into the mountains, the sun had yet to burn the mist off. 

And then it was a long way down from the mountains to cross a river outside Muros de Nolan, and of course a steep climb back into the mountains. 

Some Italian Renaissance style gardens and country hoe, a quinta, the new home of a family who had gone to South America to seek their fortune, made it, and came back to build a grand estate. The Selgas family built the local town of El Pito and also built a large school, one of many gifts to the town and now a museum. 

My restaurant for the evening, Restaurante Arbichera,..not spectacular on the outside but the food ratings it gets are great and so was my meal.

And if you have lunch outside, the views are great. 

Aviles

 Aviles 

The church in Gijon where I sheltered out of the rain on my 650 metre walk from the hotel to the bus station. It had stopped raining when I had checked on the weather but by the time I had checked out, it had started again and I was committed.  

The railway station in Aviles on the water front...

...and two of the gauges, narrow and broad.

...and part of the industrial port...

...a modern ferry and in the back ground the Niemeyer Cultural Centre.

A Santander bank.

Part of the footbridge linking one side of the river with the Niemeyer centre...

....a view across the bridge to the centre...

The Palacio de Camposagrado...

Several views of the Plaza de Espana...

...a former pilgrims ospital...

...the Town Hall...

...the church...

...a very ornate former merchants house...

...the art centre with an ugly modern extension to one side...

...and lots more old buildings...

...all built over the pavement to give shelter from the rain and sun.

Gijon

 Gijon 

After a false start, I returned to Vilaviciosa and caught the bus to Gijon. My hotel was on the seafront overlooking the harbour. 

The marina. 

A view of the olf town across part of teh marina. 

The Gijon sign. 

More harbour, and it has a lot of seafront as it used to be a large industtrail iron and steel city.

A unusual art nouveau building in the heart of teh city. 

And then I had a walk around the olf city set on a peninsula with bays either side.

And more old buildings...

...the fish market...

...a view along the sea front...

...and the local church. 

Villaviciosa

 Villaviciosa 

Leaving Colunga in the morning, there were a few more impressive old buildings such as this former palace in the high street converted to shops on the ground floor and flats above...

And a local noble's former home with an intricately carved coat of arms above the centre window.

Half way along the next morning’s walk, I passed through Priesca which is nothing special except for its pre-Romanesque Iglesia de San Salvador built in 921AD. Amazingly some of the original painting is still visible on the walls although it is often locked but a key is available from the nearby albergue if it is open so if you are keen to see the insides, it is best to arrive to coincide with the albergue’s opening times. 

Later in the morning, the temperature dropped, it clouded over and got dark and it tried to rain. Looking over to the mountains in the distance, it was raining over there. Luckily it was only a 17 kilometre walk to Villaviciosa and I got there at lunch time witout getting wet.

There are some grand buildings in the city centre such as one of the faculties of the local university...

...the theatre...

...and several old buildings...

...including my hotel with the bunting draped across the street depicting the regional flag.

The bunting goes up for the Fiesta de la Sidra which takes place on the first Saturday in September which is held in the plaza del Ayuntamiento where attendees can enjoy traditional ciders and participate in various activities. The town in known as the apple capital of the region as there are many orchards in the area and there are ten cideries within the township. 

The bunting stays up for the rest of the month as the Fiesta del Portal is celebrated in the middle of the month. It is a six day celeration with a programme of activities, music, street parties, fireworks, folklore and traditional dancing, As well as another opportunity to highlight thee local cider culture and the vibrant community spirit of Villaviciosa. 

The town hall, an impressive building although it was partially obscured by a marque and stage set up for the fiestas.

                                       
There is a self guided tour with details available from the tourist information office that guides visitors around the town centre and explains some of the history and interesting buildings. And since this is the apple capital of the region, the route is marked red apples painted on a white arrow background.

Other sights on the route are the Workers Atheneum set up in 1911 by donations with a focus on education and leisure...

...and the market building...
                                        

...and the Iglesia de Santa Maria del Oliva which El Camino goes past...

...and after three weeks of walking, there is still another 378 kilometres to go!