Day 5 Amorebieta to Bilbao

We had to send Christy’s bike back to San Sebastián today. This was no easy task because of the language barrier, finding tools to take the bike apart, finding a delivery service, packing the bike and getting it sent. This woman worked at the Correos where we sent the bike back and she helped us a great deal. I brought a cache of small items to give to people along the way as tokens of our thanks for their generosity. This picture is of her receiving a small stone cross I gave her as a thank you.

We rode from Amorebieta to Gildakao hospital to check in on Christy. She looked much better today with clear blue eyes and a positive disposition. None of the tests they did raised cause for alarm and the prospect of her discharge seemed imminent. This squelched the gut grinding worry we both had about her condition and gave us confidence that we could carry on with her. Her worship warrior attitude and fluent language skills will be greatly missed. 

Cathy with the Basilica of Our Lady of Begona in the background. We are in Bilbao.  The ride here from Galdakoa was as beautiful as every day has been so far but with an intense climb over the top of the coastal mountains that had us pushing our bikes up 20% grades. The ride downhill into Bibao was brisk and reviving. We stayed at the All Iron hostel which was surprisingly upscale, clean and quiet. 

The front of the church. 

Mass inside the church. 

The nameplate of the church. 

The basilica from our hostel window.