What Is Empanada? PART 2

Have a look at the lady in the photo; Ana is the proud baker of an excellent pastry. The bread is light, buttery, made from a mix of eggs and wheat flour, and contains a spread of tuna and tomato. This one is exceptional; the mass-produced variety often leaves something to be desired (mostly after having tasted Ana’s). She made it right here, in her small grocery- she lives upstairs. It's a bit early in the bike ride but we are hungry enough anyway. Notice the selection of fresh fruit and vegetables- many are locally grown- and she only gets the best anyway. This kind of shop can be better than a big chain: personal attention and service, competitive prices (she has to!), and a better quality of produce, because that's what the local customers want. Today is Friday, that's when she makes this empanada pastry ("pan"=bread, em-pan-ada=enclosed in bread). By Saturday it is all sold out. So I grab a big slice while I can (and a bit more to have leftovers at home later on, of course) some apples, and make my way down the road. Now I am going to cross under the bridge and follow an asphalted path along side the railroad, until the next village. The ride is all easy from here on out- mostly flat, paved, meandering over land and through the woods and 'urbs' along the way. Very relaxing. The main freeway runs straight through all this, so the path takes me under and over (on bridges) as it twists and turns, following a small river. Keep in mind this is a rural area, that has a new infrastrucure superimposed- it'd be different in a big city in America if I had to bike near a highway. This is all fresh, cool and green, covered with trees, and a fair distance away from the elevated road. Makes for an interesting and varied experience. I am going towards a large town called La Pola de Siero, a local center. The township recently installed this path, through what used to be river-track and pasture. The way must be about 5 miles total, so it's easy and pleasant. It just took us some effort to get there, what with the hills- and empanada- detaining us, as it were.

Want To Go For A Bike Ride? PART 1

From where I live it's easy. Every path and road goes somewhere, over and under hills, woods, villages, alongside highways, up mountains... get in shape here in Asturias real quick with a bicycle tour. First I take off out of my garage, on top of a steep hill. So the beginning is complimentary- zoom zoom down the hill, past all manner of plants and animals (we saw a baby boar trotting down the road one time recently- she must have beem a mix, with stripes, orange coloring. Looked like some kind of tropical animal from S. America). Momentum takes me up partway, and then I have to pedal. Maybe I will walk the last few meters, to the top of the hill... and I am already in another hamlet (like a rural neighborhood). Now it's down again, twisting and turning like on a rollercoaster. What a blast! You don't have to ride like me, slow works too, but I like this. All that speed is enough to carry me a good mile (no braking), past the abandoned mining area all the way to the bottom of the "monte" which leaves me in another, but much larger, rural "urban" area. This one is interesting, it was built for the miners when that concern was still in operation. The company was from Belgium so out of the blue in the middle of Asturias rises a place that looks like blue-collar Belfast, or some other N Europe city. Rowhouses (unheard of here) and a neat layout. I glide past, to the residential part below. There are a few shops, and some almost suburban American looking houses, made of stone. Under the bridge and I am deposited on the other side of the highway. Now I am in what is verging on a small town, shops, appartments, bars...and empanada. Mmmm. What is empanada? (To be continued)

The Estuary at Villaviciosa

On a bright day with soft weather there is a place of calm called
"La Ria de Villaviciosa". This is the exit of several small rivers
to the sea, in the region of Asturias, on the green north coast of
Spain. A bridge is crossed and suddenly the land opens up, with
spreading water and wetlands. Reeds, islands, birds, the agua
becomes salty as the ocean draws near, some 4 miles down the road.
Along both sides of this estuary are houses; chalets, farmhouses,
stables. There are many restaurants, and places to rent a canoe or kayak. 

The boat launches are right on the water, which is where I
want to be. First, though, I am going to the local wildlife museum.

This aquarium, terrarium and exposition shows the variety of plants
and animals, land and sea, found in natural park-  I forgot to
mention, this is a protected zone with carefully tended natural
resources. The plan for the economy is to develop green tourism,
and adventure/nature experience. So I am in the right place, for
someone of my temperment. Bicycle on a quiet road, wander the edge
of the water, to get to...the beach. Of course. At the end of this
route is the marina, with fishing boats, more watercraft rentals,
restaurants, and an evergreen park of eucalyptae. Fresh smelling
and clear, with  a warm wind and gentle clouds in a blue sky...

And then, the beach. A long walkway buffers the park and beach
front from the ria, ideal for fishing. If you like bass you are in
luck because this is a major feeding area. You can join the locals
there, with the same idea, or jump in the water like I am about to
do. It's very calm here, and shallow, because this is the protected
side of the estuary- which is all salt water now. On the other
side, at this point, is the famous beach of Rodiles, with another
eucalyptus park still, and a long stretch of sand. I could swim
across the way, it's only about 1/3 of a mile....but maybe I will
pay the fee to the ferryman (in the summer he can be found there, or
hanging around the bar in front).

Right at this point of land, aptly named El Puntal, is a block of
seafront apartments. That's where I want my vacation house, go
downstairs and be on the beach, in the water, in the woods, sit
outside at the cafe, putter around in my kayak.

Or maybe I would rather be in the mountains. That's for next time.

Hola Amigos

Hello friends,

My name is Blue Bell, and I will be your virtual guide to a very special place in Spain. It's a place so hidden that very few people outside Spain know about it. It is called Paraíso Natural (Natural Paradise) by Spaniards, and it has some of the highest and most rugged mountains in Europe. As a matter of fact, it's more like a Spanish Switzerland, with the added benefit of a stunning coastline of high cliffs, quaint fishing villages, and sandy beaches.