Tuesday: train, Oviedo-Cudillero
Origin: Oviedo, Pension Romero
Destination: Cudillero, La Blanca del Sol
Continuing on 7:30 FEVE train through tunnels, past high walls and
steep drop offs, and through the dense vegetation of Asturian landscapes
to a small seaside town.
Cudillero:
Colorful houses built into the steep hillsides face the harbor
where the local fishing fleet bring in their fresh catches each day. Townsfolk
climb steep steps up and down; few houses have car access. Exploration of those
narrow steps and paths was Marney's afternoon exercise. The town is still struggling
to recover from the recession. Good deals here on ocean view houses and nearby fincas.
Paella, fresh fish, wine and sea air...lovely spot to spend a day on the north coast.
Wednesday: train, Cudillero to Aviles
Origin: Cudillero, La Blanca de Sol
Destination: Avilés, Hotel 40 NudosCrooked Letter, Crooked Letter is a must
read, even waiting for a slightly late train.
Avilés:
Highlights of strolling the old medieval town center:
-Wide columnated walkways around Plaza de Espana
-Romanesque church on the Plaza de San FRANCISCO
-Lively evening scene in the cafes across the Plaza from
the Ayuntamiento (town hall)
- Colorful buildings of different times and styles
- Our hotel right in the center of the old section
In 2011 Aviles dedicated a monumental, modern architectural/cultural complex, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, a renowned Brazilian architect who died as the project reached completion--at the of age 104!
Our Niemeyer guide, Lucia, described the architectural
elements and how the use of the buildings for expositions,
art, music, theater, education benefit the entire community. We experienced it in all its starkness with few people around, so we have no perspective on how well it hosts a multitude.
At the head of the harbor, it looks to have been a site-design and pedestrian-vehicular-access nightmare--spawning impressive bridges, walkways and walk/ bicycle ways. Also impressive is the policy of egalitarian pricing and seating for events.
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