Gorlitz and Camping Arrien

13th May 2014.

Sometimes the reading of local tourist literature can be revealing and helpful. In the case of this part of Spain, namely the Basque country, or Pais Vaso or even Euskadi, we made an interesting wine discovery.

According to OS Clarke's 1990 book on Spain and Portugal's Wine there is a wine called Chacoli de Getaria, spelt Txololina in Basque. Strangely in a later book on wine and grapes he makes no mention of it. Also we then discover that the tourist literature refers to Bizkaiko Txololina based around the little seaside resort of Bikio. This is about 15 miles form our campsite. So, of course, a visit had to be made.

Now the drive from Gorliz to Bakio is, to say the least, interesting. And that brings me on to another topic of cycling. Since arriving and seeing that the roads seem either to be going up, or down, I have found it hard to motivate myself to get out on the roads. It's a lack of confidence in being able to cycle up the hills that has discouraged me to date. That, and until recently facing the unknown of Spanish drivers on relatively narrow roads: how would they/do they respond to cyclists?. However, the route to Bakio had to be covered several times in the motorhome so I was beginning to appreciate its charms……. or not. It was clear that cyclists think they are the boss of these roads. They cycle two abreast and pay no heed to cars. There were loads of them on the road mostly travelling at a moderate pace just like the Sunday driver in England. Cars behaved well….mostly!

I had come to the view that cyclists, and cycling, in this area faced a real dream world or just utter madness. I have to say that I refer to myself in this context and I am feel I am only a cyclist in that I own and have a cycle with me. Thus, for me the roads and area were on the edge of madness just sufficiently so that I could say it presented a real challenge; could I climb the hills? Most of the time, given that I was driving up and down the hills I came to the conclusion that I was not fit enough even to make an attempt. Until today that is.

Actually it began on Sunday when I made an attempt to cycle a short bit of about 2 miles involving some brief uphills on a wide, main road, and then back down again. I managed that reasonably well. So today was to be the next stage. After a very gently ride along the sea front with Meryl so that the legs had warmed up, and I had satisfied myself that the traffic was very light and intermittent I set off and it proved to be, almost, a breeze. At best I could say I was comfortable and never reached the point where I thought I had to stop. The return trip was harder as the hill was longer - going down was easy but cold - but even there I was always well within my capability. Thus to say its an Area of madness might be an exaggeration!

If we were staying here longer I think I would try and cycle that route many more times, but also make it longer by going further towards Mungia and then Gernika, even Bakio. But we move so it won't happen. Just have to find another road!

As for the wine, well that's interesting. We bought a red and white form a supermarket on Sunday and, as one must, tried them in the evening. Both offer interesting tastes. The white is less sharp than a Sauvignon Blanc but less rich than a Chardonnay. It was fruity, with a good, clear nose of fruit and had a bright green colour. The red had a taste maybe like cherries, but it lacks that depth and fragrance of a Cabernet Sauvignon even one that is of a moderate quality but again has a good nose. It also lacked that vague sort of sweetness that one can find. Both were enjoyable and drinkable.

We enjoyed them both so hope to find a few samples to bring home.