We arrived in Pamplona and parked underground and rode the elevator up to a beautiful plaza. We walked around and found a beautiful church which cost 5 Euros to visit. Barbara and Lola decided not to go in and went to the tourist bureau and went back to the restaurant. Susan and I decided to visit the church and the museum and we got our monies worth. The Cathedral D Pamplona was magnificent. The cloister is one of the finest in Spain. I took many pictures. Then we met up with Barbara and Lola and walked to the bull ring where the famous running of the bulls ends. There was a sculpture of Ernest Hemingway in front of the bull ring and he was given credit for making this event so popular. Then we drove toward Sanguesa and we decided it was time to stop so the search was on for a hotel. We went to the tourist office and asked where a motel was and she recommened Hotel Yamaguchi. We found the hotel (it was out in the countryside) and the price was right so we decide to stay. The bad news was dinner wasn’t served until 8:30 p.m. so we sat outside and started watching all the action at the round about. What first got our attention was two car loads of policemen who pulled up and parked. One of the policemen was holding a rifle as they chatted. Then we saw an elderly man in an electric wheelchair whizzing around lickety split. Next came a couple of joggers, then a tour bus. Next was a man on horseback, a truck with a load of hat and a tractor. We even saw several regular cars. This was the highlight of Lola and Barbara’s day. Finally 8:30 arrived and we thought we were going to be sitting in a lovely dining room but no we were sitting in a coffee shop. We ordered dinner and were disappointed with the meal as everything was way to salty. Susan and I had told the waitress earlier that it was Barbara’s birthday and had asked for something special for dessert for her. She did bring us some great chocolate cake (without a candle) and we sang “Happy Birthday” to her. In the morning we got up and drove to Javier Castle. It was very nice. Then we headed for Andorra. Susan wants to go to Andorra. We decided we weren’t going to make it that day so we stopped in a little town called Barbastro at a four star hotel called Hotel San Ramon de Somontano. The ladies at the front desk have been wonderful helping us with our room, giving us information about touring the village and even came out and explained the menu to us as we sat outside and drank our wine. Susan and I visited the old Gothic church of San Julian and Barbara decided to take a leisurely bath and Lola walked around the town. There was a tower by the cathedral and we notice several huge nests on the top and several storks sitting on the nests. That was exciting too. The cathedral was absolutely fabulous inside but I wasn’t allowed to take pictures.
When we were in southern Spain (April-May) there were stork nests all over the place,on specially built platforms and on church steeples and tops of government buildings.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Susan, have a great one, so glad you are all having such a good time.
Happy Birthday my dear Aunt! I wish we could be with you to celebrate another fantastic year! I can’t imagine being in a better place for a birthday and I am so happy you have such great friends to sing you Happy birthday and celebrate you.. Rome and Titus say they LOVE YOU too. Kiss, kiss
-Your favorite niece
Joyeux anniversaire Susan!
soixante-neuf–sounds so much better in French, eh?
Henri
I am just catching up to your posts but heard all about your amazing birthday! I am so glad it was celebrated in style. Happy belated birthday!!!
~Cheryl