Although the night before we had all agreed to meet for breakfast at 7.45, Jacqui, Jenny and I couldn't wait that long for a coffee so we got up, dressed and hit the hotel breakfast buffet just after 7! It was a fantastic spread of goodies, although Jacqui was a bit disappointed that they had run out of gluten free bread as she fancied a nice bit of toast! (Remember Jacqui what the Camino teaches you about expectations - especially on the gluten free front in Spain!). The nice waitress from the night before told me I had left my fleece in the restaurant. The others joined us and we managed to make our mark on the buffet! This hotel had been exceptional value for 23 euros b & b and a nice way to end the week. We must remember that for next year (don't groan Sue - there is going to be a next year which does include you!) We walked to the bus station to get the 10 o'clock bus to Bilbao. I am very impressed by public transport in Spain. Clean, cheap, punctual. Yet again we compare badly in the UK - our public transport is expensive, unreliable and often dirty (you need only travel on Southern Rail to experience all of this in one go). So why do so many Brits think we are so great and so much better than our European neighbours? We are a deeply deluded nation! Anyway rant over! We arrived in Bilbao and headed to the old part of the city where we had stayed last year. A bit like returning to Logrono, Bilbao looked so much prettier in the sunshine. It is a nice city and I would like to spend a weekend there one day. The old part of the city has narrow lanes full of shops and bars and there were rainbow flags and banners on display as it was gay pride in Bilbao (home from home!) We decided to split up before lunch to maximise our shopping opportunities - we had an hour to shop and Jenny and I teamed up and set off as if we were in an episode of supermarket sweep! I bought a necklace and Jenny got a top in Zara so we did well - shopping in small shops with a backpack on is no easy task but we like a challenge. Whilst waiting in Zara when Jenny was trying her top on I got the breaking news that Michael Gove had announced he was running in the Tory leadership contest as he thought Bessie friend Boris would make a **** pm!!!!! Boris had stood down from the contest! What more could possibly happen in this ridiculous farce. They had all sailed us into stormy seas and then jumped ship. History will not be kind to them and that is no less than they deserve. But even pilgrims who are angry about their country's dire political situation have to eat and drink. We all met up, had a beer and showed off our purchases. Poor Anne had failed this task (it did feel a bit like we had been in an episode of the apprentice!) and she looked on enviously as Jacqui showed us her new red sandals - the guardian angel had let her down on the last day! We decided to have lunch at the same restaurant as last year. Fiona was twitchy about time but the Rioja was marvellous in lessening her anxiety. The food wasn't great apart from the feeeesh option. I seemed to have 3 courses of bechemel sauce inspired dishes and suffered severe food envy but my travelling companions took pity on me and tossed me bits of their fresh fish and steak. We made our way to the bus stop in the central square and got the bus to the airport. We packed the poles, breezed through check in, got our duty frees ( including a couple of nice silk scarves for Jenny and I - she is such a bad influence on me!!), and boarded the plane. It was a good flight apart from the monstrous child behind us who screamed for most of the journey. We are all learning to be appropriately grumpy old women very well indeed - another pat on the back for us all. We heard from the Captain that it was raining in Gatwick - how could the sun shine on such a country at the moment - what were we going back to? It was quite a scary feeling. We landed and our adventure was over. What a week! I am sure we will never forget this part of the Camino when so much was happening at home and we were so far away. By the time we do our next stage we will be clearer about the consequences of Brexit and will have a new Prime Minister (at the time of writing Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom are the final 2). Let us hope and pray it is not as bad as we fear. We have learnt a lot this week, my top 10 learnings are: Booking accommodation in advance is great Don't expect to be served quickly in a place called Ages Taking 16 pairs of knickers is a good idea A Babyliss Big Hair is a Camino essential Never pass up the opportunity to buy a bocadillo at your first stop If you want to know anything about the moonwalk ask Jenny It is a good idea to sometimes look at a map Take some reigns next year for Fiona Always make sure you get the correct wine ration with your pilgrim's menu Toothless men pushing a pram full of puppies are probably up to no good! Things lost: Boris Johnson lost his lifelong ambition to be Prime Minister Times Jenny mentioned the moonwalk - does mentioning her moonwalk T shirt count? I'll be back on the blog next year, God willing.