July 5 Irun to Miranda del Elba, Miranda del Elba to Bilbao to meet Cameron
Drizzling this morning, but fortunately it eased as we left to ride to the station. Station office staff indicated that we did not need to pack the bikes into the bags, but station staff advised otherwise, so we packed up before boarding the train to find very little baggage space. I left the bikes in the corridor as had been done on other trains. However, a very officious little ticket inspector attacked me in rapid French (fortunately, because it was very easy to appear dumb), before making me carry the bikes the length of the carriage to another storage area.
After a 3.5 hour journey we disembarked and had a 4 hour wait before our train on to Bilbao. Sue didn't favour the idea of unpacking the bikes and exploring the town, instead opting to read and guard our bags. Eventually, I did go for a walk into town - newer and not all that attractive.
The final leg of our journey to Bilbao took us into the Alps. We were surprised at the number of large industrial cities that we passed, with scores of high rise flats.
Arrived in Bilbao around 10 pm, having been unable to contact Cam to let him know of our later arrival time - he was expecting us to be there around 7 pm. We unpacked the bikes, loaded the panniers, and just a I was heading for an information map to try and locate our accommodation, we were greatly relieved to see Cam arrive. When he led us to the accommodation, I was even more thankful, as I would have had a lot of trouble finding the way. I was finding it difficult to stop thinking in French. Third floor rooms with community facilities, but clean and comfortable, and with an extra pair of hands to help with the carrying, not too bad a climb.