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DISTANCE: 89.8 k/55.8 mi; TIME: 6h 34m; AV: 13.6 kph/8.4 mph; ODO: 2467.2 k
I was up just after 7 am, after a good night’s sleep thanks to the Vick! I had my bread and cheese for breakfast and I was on the road by 8:30. It soon became apparent that I would be battling against a NE head wind. I stopped to refuel with bread and cheese just outside Navia. I must have been mistaking Navia for somewhere else, because it was not as I remembered it. Luarca was disappointing. It was little more than a large fishing town. I only saw one hotel of any substance. Most hotels seem to be outside of the towns, but unless they have a restaurant you need a car to go out to eat.PHOTOS:I stopped for lunch just outside Luarca at “Restaurante Zabala.” I had Asparagus Omelette, Veal Escallop and Chips, and an Orange Ice cream Sorbet. I was going to pay by VISA as the food was a la carta, but I could not find my Debit Card! I had to use cash in stead. I can only think that I did not get the card back after last night’s meal. It is possible that the waiter did not bring my card back with the chit to sign.
The road on was more modern with large long viaducts over some of the valleys. With the wind and passing camiones it was too dangerous to ride over them, so I walked the bike for safety. My mind was still occupied with the problem of my Debit Card.
With the constant head wind, it was doubtful if I would make it to Pravia. In the end I stayed at “La Casona de Pío” at Cudillero, a very pretty fishing village. I phoned Lloyds TSB to report the loss of the card. They promised to phone back within 15 minutes. There was no return call after an hour. I phoned again and the woman said that the card had not been cancelled!. She cancelled it and FAXed Visa International to wire me some money. “They should call you within one to three hours,” she said. I also gave them the hotel FAX number. No reply. I formed the opinion that they could not get through to the hotel.
While I was waiting I worked out a strategy. I could not afford to say in the hotel until Monday, the earliest I could hope to get any money. I decided to phone Jenny in the morning and cycle to Oviedo and stay in the refuge. On Sunday I could take the FEVE train to Santander for less than 2000 pts. I could also stay in the refuge at Santander and hopefully get money on Monday. I did have £50 in travellers cheques. I would buy food to eat in the mornings and evenings and have a cheap lunch at midday. I felt I had a reasonable solution; as long as it worked!
Ribadeo from Asturias
Cudillero
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