Tourist Office to the Rescue!

Tourist Office to the Rescue
And efficient cheap transport in France.
More pics here

Theatre in San Sebastian

Fish display in San Sebastian

The Eusko Tren is well signed in San Sebastian

Kursaal centre in in San Sebastian

On the one day, we let someone else do the driving, the someone else didn’t turn up!

We had booked a private bus trip from Hendaye to San Sebastian, via the local tourist office, only for the bus driver to “forget” he had passengers in Hendaye and was down in the Spanish town before we and the Tourist Office, across the road from the stop, found out what was going on.

Quite a cock-up. But the Tourist Office came to the rescue in a big way and that was how we found out so much about the efficiency of and reasonable fares on the French public transport system.

Firstly, we were told to grab a local bus and get to the rail station. The local buses cost nothing while the narrow-gauge rail trip to San Sebastian cost just €2.80 per person return. We enjoyed our trip to the beautiful Spanish city and returned to the Hendaye tourist office the next day to sort out refunds and so on.

By then, the bus company had come in and offered a full refund and a trip on any other of their excursions. We had been looking at the one to Bilbao (including the Guggenheim) and that was what we choose.

The only problem about it was that we’d have to travel about 13 kilometres up the coast to the bus office who apparently wanted to deal with it personally. As it turned, we were at a loose end that afternoon and took the bus as the man in the Tourist Office suggested. Might as well take a stroll around the lively St Jean as one around Hendaye. The bus, believe it or not, cost a euro!

Beach of St Jean

Cool sup as temps hit 30s on Thurs 14th June

It took us right to the bus company’s office where we met Sandrine who knew all about us, even if she had no English. But we got on well. She refunded us our 34 euro straight away and then produced the tickets for Bilbao and apologised.

We were glad to accept. We all make mistakes but it is how you deal with it them that counts and I think both the Tourist Office (where each and every member of staff that we met was helpful) and the bus company dealt with us well and now we are looking forward to Bilbao next Wednesday.

The major memory for us from this faux pas by the bus driver is the efficiency and low cost of public transport in France. That Eusko Tren (Basque Train) to San Sebastian was punctual, state of the art with regard to messages flashed across as electronic banners (the station you were at, the side to get off, the time, the temperature, the next station) and was spotless. And the €2.80 for the 45 minute return trip was incredible.

Incredible too was that one euro cost for the 25 minute trip from Hendaye to St Jean and we had a very helpful driver aboard as well. Next time, I get tired of driving, I’ll be quite happy to take the public transport, maybe the private one too (after Wednesday next!)

San Sebastian. One of the beautiful cities.

Top: Outdoor Pieta at St Vincent's. Below: Indoor head at St Vincent's, Cork not only city with a cow, and mariner Antonio de Oquendo

On Friday, we headed for San Sebastian, going by narrow gauge EuskaTren (Basque train) from Hendaye. We reached the Amara station and then strolled up Easo Street. We knew what to expect, had been there before.

But still the gorgeous view at the end of the street, the elegant curve surrounding La Concha beach, the old buildings nearby, the hill of Monto Urgull, the blue skies, the golden sands, took our breath away. Here we were in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Coastal sculpture (by Chillida) and schoolkids

Then we headed, past the City Hall, into the compact old city,making for the market (Bretxa). Amazingly, McDonald's have been given a front entrance here. The real market though is down below. Amazing food stalls.  Then we found Constitution Square full of delivery vans! The square was once used as a bull ring and the numbers on the apartments were once used for booking your seat.

Beaches and churches

Made our way then to the church of Santa Maria (left, above), passed by the Naval Museum and Aquarium and headed for the Paseo Nouevo, the road that runs around Monte Urgull. It is also a beautiful coastal walk, so we did it, admiring the Chillida sculpture as we started off. Not too long afterwards, we found  ourselves entering the other side of the old city with the huge Kraal conference centre across the river Urumea, spanned by a variety of bridges, some very ornate indeed. Then we called to the church of San Vincenze, the city's oldest, and also saw the museum of San Telmo.

Stayed close to the river, walking past some more spectacular older buildings, such as the Victoria Eugene Theatre before cutting in to see the church of Buen Pastor.

We did make a one or two food and drink stops, coffee and a slice of tart for about €2.70, and also some shopping before all the walking in the heat (31/2 degrees) began to take its toll and so we headed back down Easo Street and the train back to Hendaye.

City Hall

The sheltered bay: Mount Urgull on right.
More pics here

On the mountain edge. Steering into the blue sky

On the mountain edge. Steering into the blue sky.
Thursday June 14th
More pics here


Got an unexpected drive into the high Pyrenees today and it turned out to be a sensational ear popping experience and that even before we reached our main target which was the Himalayan style hanging bridge of Holtzarte that gently swings some 200 meters above the wooded gorge below.

The drive was unexpected in two ways. We had been scheduled to visit San Sebastian but a transport malfunction put paid to that. So we headed east to the Pyrenees and then Suzy, our Sat-Nav lady, took over, taking us off course on the N310.

As we rose into the air on narrow farmer’s roads, in an area where they make the famous Ossau Iraty sheep cheese, the scenery became ever more spectacular, the road ever narrower. Sometimes as you rounded a bend all you saw was sky. Not the time to get dizzy!

She should have picked another road, the D18, which was quite spectacular itself as we found on the way home. The delay cost us quite a bit of time but the trip up to the heights – I reckon some of the passes were around 1600 metres – was memorable.

As we began to come down we reached the entrance to the valley where the town of Larrau is situated. Had to climb again and then down again, temperatures dropping and then rising. The starting point for the hanging bridge of Holtzarte is a few kilometres beyond Larrau. We found the car park and started up a fairly tough path.

Some of it isn’t too bad but parts are quite rocky. Here and there one gets help from “steps” and a wire at the side but the heat made it tough going and only part of the walk is in shade. But, about fifty minutes later, we agreed it was worth it as we viewed the gorge and then took ourselves across the passerelle which swayed rather gently above that massive drop. Phew!

Fashioned two rough walking sticks that helped in the walk back down. Took our time and made it safely to the nearby Logibar Auberge. Food no great shakes but sure as hell enjoyed the beer and the mini pizza. On the way home, we stopped off at a traiteur and picked up some gorgeous paupiette du veau for dinner.

• The reason the trip to San Sebastian was cancelled (for us) was that the tour driver, who started up the coast,”forgot” he had passengers in Hendaye. Another story but with quite a good ending and no hard feelings!

Wine and Fashion in Spanish Gem

Vineyards above the town

One of Getaria's beaches

Fashion Museum

Inside Balenciaga

Getaria's church, built over a tunnel.

Wine and Fashion in Spanish Gem


Wednesday June 13th
More pics here


Getaria, on the coast between San Sebastian and Bilbao, is one of the prettiest Spanish villages we’ve come across on this trip. We called back there on Thursday to take a walk around the Txakoli vineyards.

For a while we walked over an old cobbled path that was once part of the pilgrim route to Santiago and just a few hundred yards from the roundabout in the centre of the town found the first of the vineyards from which this dry acidic wine is made. The vines are grown high and are then trained out along supports.

Back in the town, we called into a bar for a glass of you know what. They pour it from a height, about shoulder high, into sturdy tumblers, releasing both extra flavours and the fizz. Refreshing. So we went off and bought some to bring home.

Getaria also has a little black number that you hardly know is there until you take the outdoor elevator up to it: the Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. Now a fashion history museum would hardly be my ideal way of spending a sunny hour but the dressmaker with me was keen and I must admit I found the story fascinating.

First of all the Museum itself is worth a look. And not just inside. Take a walk around the outside. Inside, you first take the lift upstairs and see the permanent exhibitions.

Balenciaga was born here and the six shows follow his life, from the Early Days, to his Day Wear, Cocktail, Evening, Wedding and then a computer aided display of the fascinating technique that he employed as he brought fashion into the sixties, all there before your eyes.

There are also temporary exhibitions and the one currently on studies the development of the Mannequin. In fashion, it really is amazing how things always seem to come around. Balenciaga’s Bat Wing sleeves from 1952 are back in style. Must tell my girls, at least the one who is wearing them!
* Earlier post on Getaria here

Trimbach Wines, Gubbeen and Cashel Blue

Iconic French winemaker with iconic Irish food producers

Darina Allen and Jean Trimbach

Jean Trimbach, Trimbach Wines, Alsace, France
with Giana & Fingal Ferguson, Gubbeen Farm, Cheeses & Cured Meats, Schull, Co. Cork
and Sarah & Sergio Furno, Cashel Blue & Crozier Blue Cheese, Fethard, Co. Tipperary

The Grain Store at Ballymaloe, Wednesday 4th July, 7.00pm

A special evening in Ballymaloe with Trimbach Wines, Alsace, France - family run since 1626, and listed in the Top 10 White Winemakers of the world, with their wines & stories presented by Jean Trimbach. Also alongside Jean Trimbach, will be Sarah & Sergio Furno of 'Cashel Blue & Crozier Blue Cheeses', and Giana & Fingal Ferguson, of 'Gubbeen Farm, Cheese and Cured Meats',  who will also tell us their story with a tasting of their produce, to taste alongside the wines of Trimbach.

Wednesday 4th July, 7pm, €15 (includes wine & nibbles)

Rising Tide Tops in Munster

The Rising Tide Cork awarded ‘Best Restaurant in Munster’
in Good Eating Guide to Ireland

Pictured from left were Sandra Murphy, Rising Tide, Diane O'Sullivan, Fota Resort and  Eileen and Michael Fleming, Flemings 

The Rising Tide in Glounthaune, Cork, picked up the prestigious title of ‘Best Restaurant in Munster’ in the ‘Good Eating Guide to Ireland’ at an event in Dublin that was attended by restaurateurs, food critics and foodies from all over Ireland on Monday 11 June.

The restaurant is quoted as being a secluded sanctuary just 10 minutes from Cork city centre, with some of the best seafood in the region and breath-taking views.   The owner Sandra Murphy brought nationwide attention to the family business during her time on TV3’s The Apprentice, and it has enjoyed further fame from celebrity visits, including Lady Gaga.

Commenting on the win, Sandra Murphy said, “We are over the moon at winning such an esteemed title.  It’s a challenging time for the industry, so we are delighted to see that our hard work, ethos of only sourcing the highest quality local produce, and recognition that customers are looking for value for money and something a little different, is paying off”.

A well established diners’ reference, the 96 page Good Eating Guide to Ireland features over 250 hotels, restaurants and public house eating establishments in virtually every county in Ireland.  45,000 copies have been printed and are available at any of the Guide’s featured hotels, restaurants or pubs.  The Guide is also available as an insert in the July issue of Easy Food Magazine.

The Rising Tide is also recommended by Paolo Tullio's Taste Of Ireland, Georgina Campbell guides, Lucinda O' Sullivan Great Places to Eat, Good Food Ireland, BIM and it was voted Dining Pub of the Year 2009.

Super visit to La Rioja

Baigorri's glass cube

Samaniego

Tondonia's tasting rooms

Me and a favourite vine at La Rioja Alta

Vineyards through the Baigorri glass

Hillside ventas

Super visit to La Rioja
Tuesday 12th June
More pics here


With a showery forecast for Hendaye, we decided to take the trip to La Rioja where the forecast for this Tuesday was for marginally better weather. It wasn't blue skies all the way but it didn’t rain and we enjoyed the most fantastic wines between Haro and the medieval village of Samaniego.

The Spanish road system is just brilliant in these parts. We had been on the San Sebastian to Bilbao highway before but weren't quite prepared for the amount of tunnels when we turned off and headed for La Rioja, still on the toll roads. One of the tunnels, at 3405 metres, was the longest I have ever driven.

Haro, a small town, is regarded as the wine capital of La Rioja, as it was here it all started. Our first call was to La Rioja Alta, where they actually charge you for the tastings, anything from €1.50 to a fiver a glass. You don’t really want to be tasting glassfuls on a road trip, so we shared. Highlight here was the Reserva Vina Ardanza, priced at €15.49 a bottle. The lady who served us had polished off her English in Dublin!

Then off to the nearby Lopez de Heredia premises and their gorgeous tasting rooms. This is better known to us as Tondonia (though apparently Lopez has taken off in US). Highlight here was their incredible Tondonia Blanca Reserva (1996) and, of course, the lady who served us had learned her English in Dublin.

Then we headed towards Logrono looking for Bogedas Ysios but that journey was interrupted when we spotted the original glass cube of Bodegas Baigorri which marks their seven storey downwards building where much is done by the simple use of gravity. We missed out on a full tour but saw much of the operation.

And, of course, we visited the shop. Crianza, Reserva and “a vin d'auteur”, not the most popular with traditionalists, were bought and the lady that served us here broke the sequence. She polished off her English in Cork, having many happy memories of her stay in Little Island's Clash Road about three years ago!

Sunday was supposed to be very rainy in Hendaye and we did get 90 minutes of heavy stuff around lunchtime. Before that, we had walked the beach and seen the many surfers in action. Afterwards, we walked to Spain, as you would, if as here, it is just across a bridge. Checked out some of the nearby wine shops. Perhaps, we’ll call again.

Don’t think we call again though to any of those Ventas, the bargain places for French people, just on the Spanish side of the border. We did visit Ventas Ibardin on Monday. High on a hillside pass, with a great view of the French coast, including of St Jean de Luz, some years back they bulldozed away the trees and about 12 big buildings were set up for business.

They are mainly supermarkets, all selling much the same stuff, with some perfumeries and leather goods. We had been looking for shoes but the selection disappointed. Perfumes were priced much the same as on the ferry (Brittany Ferries) but bargains were found in one spot.

The alcohol outlets, some specialist, most in supermarkets, generally disappointed in terms of wine, though one specialist had a great selection of sprits. Did get a few bits and pieces but nothing worth talking about.

Indeed the only thing worth talking about was a spectacular thunderstorm that broke out while we were sitting in the car. We had come up through Spain and returned to Hendaye via France. Interesting but hardly profitable.

Jean Trimbach coming to Ireland

Iconic French wine producer Jean Trimbach is coming to Ireland this July to showcase his astounding wines

Come along to one of his unmissable tastings at Ely Wine Bar and
Harvey Nichols in Dublin and Ballymaloe in Cork

12th June 2012

Jean Trimbach of Maison Trimbach, one of the Alsace region’s most iconic wine producers, will be in Ireland this July to host a number of consumer tastings which will showcase a selection of the Trimbach family’s astounding wines.

Established in1626, Trimbach is one of the legendary names in French wine. Listed amongst the top 10 white winemakers of the world, this is an unmissable opportunity to enjoy an exclusive evening with Jean and sample some of their award winning wines.

Jean will be hosting a number of tastings around the country at the following locations:

Monday 2nd July at Ely Wine Bar, Dublin

Jean Trimbach will be on hand to guide consumers through the wonderful varieties and wines of Alsace, including two vintages of one of France’s greatest white wines - Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling.

Tickets: €40pp
Bookings: Please contact wineclub@elywinebar.com or call 01 676 8986

Tuesday 3rd July at Harvey Nichols, Dundrum

At Harvey Nichols, Jean will be hosting an exclusive evening of food and wine. The evening will showcase five wines from his respected winery, alongside a specially paired menu created by Chef de Cuisine Philip Mahon.

Tickets: €60pp
Bookings:  Please contact first.floor.reservations@harveynichols.com or call             01 291 0488    

Wednesday 4th July at Ballymaloe House, Co Cork

Ballymaloe will be hosting a very special food and wine evening with Jean Trimbach. Jean will be on hand to talk consumers through his family wines while two of the iconic food producers of Ireland, Sarah & Sergio Furno of 'Cashel Blue and Crozier Blue Cheeses', and Giana and Fingal Ferguson of 'Gubbeen Farm, Cheese and Cured Meats', will be sampling some of their delicious produce.

Tickets: €15pp
Bookings: Please contact colm@ballymaloe.ie or call             021 4652 531    

A new drink for the repertoire

Txakoli

Pacharan! The new one for me.

Made a first call last evening to the Chez Kake. The Basque menu above, five courses for 20 euro, was the attraction. 

The starter was superb, a great variety of charcuterie on the one plate. They had run out of the first part of the main dish but we got extra of the beef mince and those spuds were balls of flour! Then followed the cheese course, the Etonki with the cherry jam. The Gateau Basque was the best we've come across this trip, just a narrow band of the creamy custard, between two slices of almond flavoured pastry.

And then came that drink, Patcharan (sometimes Pacharan), new to me. It is a lovely warming aniseed flavoured drink, with an ABV in the early 20s.

Purchased some more of it in a local wine store the following day (Saturday). Saturday in fact was something of a day of rest, almost: a trip to the market, expanded for its Saturday session in the port, a swim in the pool, a call to the tourist office to book a bus trip to San Sebastian, then a walk along the rugged cliffs (the path was pretty rugged also!), later a call to that wine store where we were served by a guy from Cardiff, then to the beach to see over a hundred surfers or more do their stuff, then back to see some of Euro 2012 on a fast talking Spanish station. And that will take us through to Sunday for which the forecast is pretty dire, so that Ireland v Croatia game could come in handy!

The Basque Heart of Oak. And messin' about on the river.

The Basque Heart of Oak. 
And messin' about on the river.

Before I was born, Nazi aircraft, at Franco's request, bombed and machine-gunned the small Basque town of Gernika-Lomo, better known to me and many more as Guernica, mainly because of Picasso's painted tribute to the hundreds and hundreds of dead and injured. 

For centuries before that, Basque leaders assembled under an oak on a hillside near the town. It was over 300 years old when it caught fire in 1860. Now the petrified truck stands in a guarded place of honour. A place to be visited and I'm glad that I did even, if I had only a few minutes as the security had to go off to lunch at 2.00pm and wouldn't be back 'til four.

The town itself, with a population of about 16,000, is a busy spot. Must say, I have never seen so much double parking as I saw here!

More pics here

After the visit to Gernika, we headed up the twisty high roads and then down at the other side to the beautiful coastal town of Lekeitio (7,500). It has a lovely harbour and a beach alongside with an island, San Nicolas, that may be walked to when the tide is out. The Gothic church of Basilica de la Asuncion de Santa Maria overlooks the harbour.

We were entertained here for a while by a group of children being taught how to handle canoes in the harbour. They had two adults in charge but showed great confidence on and in the water as they went through their exercises. Seemed to be quite a lot of sports training going on at both sides of the border, to an extent not seen in Ireland.

The last coastal call we made was to the town of Ondarroa. Don't know if we caught it on  a bad day or a bad year or if we came in on the wrong side but this wasn't a pretty place. Pretty grim really, with too many high rises. Still the kids played and the dogs ran. 

But the camera didn't come out until we were about to depart when a big women's bike race came in. Traffic was stopped but there seemed little local interest as the riders flashed by.

After that, it was back to the motorway and, after a fill of cheap petrol, back to France.

Dinner at La Cabane du Pecheur

Thursday June 7th

Back at The Cabin


For the second time in a week, we were back for dinner at La Cabane du Pecheur on the Quai de la Floride with its views over the port of Hendaye. Once again, two happy customers left to take the short walk back to our apartment.

Foie Gras de Canard des Landes

Soupe des Poisson

Filet de Daurade Sauvage (Bream)

Chiperons a la plancha facon luzienne (Squid)

La verrine mascarpone

Mi-cuit au chocolat