Labs on the Road

We set off from Tordesillas later than planned (it was becoming something of a pattern). The temperature had dropped to 14 ºC at night in August!!!! A real treat and first good night’s sleep for months.

Great run up to Bilbao. The big skies and plateau of Castilla y León gave way to wooded hills and we were soon crossing the border into the Basque Country.

The plan was to meet up with Chris and give Goa and Thai a good walk round Gexto before going to lunch with friends. Problem was I got lost. I put “Puente Colgante” in the GPS and got directions to somewhere in Argentina. I had forgotten that “Puente Colgante” was just the local name for the Bizkaia Transporter Bridge and not something Goggle Maps knew. Sometimes local knowledge is a dangerous thing.

After I spent over an hour driving around Getxo and even the centre of Bilbao, Chris told me to stay put and came and found me. We only had time to get to Sarrinea, an extremely dog-friendly restaurant, to have lunch with Chris, Charro, Joseán, Diego, Elisa, José and Idoya. Fellow translators whom I have worked with for years and their partners. We had all met up in the past and my day in Bilbao was a great opportunity to get together again.

Food was ordered. Water brought by the waiters for G&T. A delicious meal followed, though I had to turn a blind eye to all the bits of roast chicken, chips and bread, Elisa and Joseán were slipping to G&T.

The meal was followed by G&Ts (drink) and more chat. The afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable. So enjoyable that I had to phone the hotel and say that I would be arriving later than planned.

Next stop Zierbena. A charming village, just outside Bilbao and only 5 minutes from the ferry port.

We arrived at the end of the local festivities. Basque flags flying. Basque sports (chopping logs and tug-o’-war) going on in the local square. Most men wearing Basque berets and nearly everybody with a “Euskal presoak– Euskal Herrira” (“Basque prisoners to the Basque Country”) T-shirt. I wondered where I had ended up and definitely a world away from Getxo.

Local dogs were swimming from the ramp and Thai was beside herself with excitement. I just couldn’t risk her going into the water as she had a vet inspection the next day before getting on the ferry. We found the hotel and another perfect one for travelling with dogs. Kaia Hotela is in a traditional Basque building, with large rooms and wooden floors, and views over the harbour. The place where I discovered the real use for a bidet. It makes a perfect drinking bowl for dogs. The travel ones I had bought were a disaster with Goa just flooding the room. She likes to drink with her chin resting on the edge of the bowl.

We had a drink down in the bar by the harbour (water for dogs as soon as we sat down) and watched the local festivities come to an end. Basque dancing, hot chocolate and churros.

Next morning a walk round the harbour and then to the ferry port. Checked in early. No problems with G&T’s paperwork. The only nasty moment was we couldn’t find Thai’s microchip. She is sadly getting to that age. After minutes of near panic and waving the chip reader about crazily, we found the chip had slipped down to her chest.

Then the long wait began before we could board the ferry. Luckily it was a cloudy and coolish morning, otherwise it would have been unbearable. More shade is needed.

Brittany Ferries makes travelling with pets easy. A lift takes you straight from the car deck to the pet cabins. We were soon settled in our cabin. Or resigned might be a better word.

The ferry set sail on time. I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave them for long in the cabin alone. Luckily there is a TV with French, Spanish and UK TV channels, radio and films in each cabin. And limited wifi. Enough to survive 34 hours.

The crossing was smooth and we arrived in Portsmouth on time. Took ages to get off the ferry and through border controls. No problems with G&T’s paperwork, more questions about my travelling on a Spanish passport. I had booked a hotel in Portsmouth as the ferry gets in at 9.00 p.m. A wise decision.

We were back in the UK. I thought the worst was over. Little did I know. The M27 awaited the next morning…