Date: 21-22nd July 2019
Travelled: 111 kilometres from Santander in Cantabria to Llanes in Asturias
Visited: Santillana del Mar and Llanes
Stayed: Llanes municipal aire โฌ3 per 24 hours W+B+G+B N43.42398, W04.76779
Budget: 43 days @ โฌ92 per day
Our ferry docks early at 0530 the Captain explaining they have some maintenance scheduled apologising for the early arrival. Mind you the Spanish authorities decide not to allow dis-embankment until 0800 anyway.
Steaming across the Gulf of Biscay. 
The bikers rushed of first but we pass them at the immigration check-point.
We roll off the ferry, do the immigration checks and park a hundred metres from the port and make a coffee, FaceTime Indiana and Cooper and our daughter Alix. We had taken our own food and drink on the ferry, which worked out well. But coffee was a different story and the ferriesโ coffee was dreadful so we where hanging out for our Amore.
So we drive west along the Costa de Cantabria to the picturesque village of Santillana del Mar.
Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, Spain
Map of Santillana del Mar, the icon on our parking spot.
Looking across the Plaza del Abad Francisco Navarro to Le Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. 
Built over an ancient monastery in the 9th century. Sunday Mass was just starting so we miss looking inside.
An interesting view of the part of church from around the back. 
The 16th century Palacio De Los Velarde. 
On the Plaza Mayor, another 15th century tower later converted.
Santillana de Mar is getting crowded as we say goodbye and return to the Hymer. We set the GPS for a stop at Playa La Franca and continue west. We stop for fuel and fill our water tank. As you can see the Irish weather has followed. The mist hangs low, but its not cool, rather warm and humid.
We turn for the CA131 thinking the local road will be more scenic but the traffic is diabolical getting through Camillas so we revert once again to the highway. We find a parking spot at La Franca for a late lunch, deciding to continue on another 10 kms to Llanes.
Llanes, Asturias, Spain
Map of Llanes, the icon on our overnight parking spot.
About this stage, we start to think Llanes may not be a motorhome friendly town. 
There are some lovely old mansions on the main street but not all as well kept as this one.
Once settled we walk back the 10 minutes into the old town to explore. 
The marina.
The old town has a real buzz about it and we ask whatโs happening. We are told it festival day and a local public holiday tomorrow.
Next morning we decide to stay an extra day and explore some of the beaches on our scooter. Pamโs keen on a long walk so we head off into Llanes again for a walk. We hear the sound of a brass band as we do and here they are…
By the time we follow the band into the centre of town and walk for another half an hour it time to go to the beach. So we get the scooter off and head east along the coast. The Playa (beach) Ballota is only 3 kms away. Our guide book indicates itโs the best beach on this section of the coast.
It is a beautiful vista, but its a long very steep track to get here. 
The water is clean and clear, if not a little refreshing.
By the time we return to the Hymer and clean up, itโs time for drinks and nibbles. The rest of the day slides through to the keeper as it does.
Michael and Pam
