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Today’s journey took us from Oviedo to Lugo to Santiago del Compostela. We made a stop at a rest area, which had a full rack of canned seafood (along with the usual chocolates and candies and sundries).

Tuna (two kinds!), Scallops, Mussels, Sardines, and more…at a rest stop

The petrol station at the rest area had long lines – our guide Alex told us it was because the government had announced an increase in petrol (and diesel) prices was going to take effect on Monday. It must be nice to know about upcoming price increases in advance!

Lugo is a very old town, established during the reign of Augustus Caesar in the 1st Century CE. We had a guided one-hour walk around the Plaza Mayor.

Lugo still has its entire original 3rd C wall – the only one in the world. Why? It’s made of slate, which no one wanted!

Lugo Town Hall (across Plaza Mayor from the Cathedral)

The Four Apostles and Jesus at the side door of the cathedral

We saw quite a few pilgrims on the road to Santiago del Compostela; the ones I could photograph from the speeding bus were in modern dress (see the top of the blog post), but there were a few in traditional robes with walking sticks, too.

We’re staying at a parador in Santiago del Compostela, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, just a hundred yards or so from the cathedral. It’s 500 years old and was built by Ferdinand and Isabella as an orphanage.

Interior Courtyard at Hostal dos Reis Católicos

Our group dinner was in the Royal Chapel. It was an impressive space, complete with several gravestones!

Dinner ran very late (as usual); tomorrow, we tour the cathedral and town, have a little free time, and then our group farewell dinner.

We had a very busy day in Oviedo. Herewith, a few highlights.

We began the day with a lecture from our leader, Rick Binzel, on “Undaunted Exploration”. He told us about the various space missions he (and his students) had been involved with, including Osiris-REX (sample retrieval from an asteroid) which has turned into Osiris-APEX, which will reach the asteroid Apophis a few days after its very close approach to Earth on Friday, April 13, 2029 (don’t worry – it won’t hit us!).

Then we walked over to the University of Oviedo with a little sightseeing on the way.

Motherhood statue, otherwise known as the fat lady

We were greeted by bagpipers as we entered the University!

Bagpipe welcome (the Celts were here before they were in Scotland)

There were a few very short speeches by dignitaries, then we were given a very special tour of the University’s Historic Building, including the library.

Dignitaries (L to R: Javier de Cos (director of Institute of Space Sciences and Technologies for Asturias), Borja Sanchez (Asturian Minister of Science, Innovation, and University), Irene Díaz (vice-rector for Research), Richard P. Binzel (our fearless expedition leader), and Noemí Pinilla-Alonso (was one of Rick’s students, now a researcher here)

Our guide Beatriz; you can see bullet holes from the Spanish Civll War on the arches behind her

Sepharad (showing Jews were in this area befor the expulsion in 1492)

Old (and VERY old) books in the University Library

The University of Oviedo’s guide to the 1905 total eclipse

High school students produced this report on the 1905 eclipse

We left the university to walk to lunch at Sidereia La Pumarada – with more sightseeing on the way.

I couldn’t resist trying the cider; it was good, but I wouldn’t cross the Atlantic for it.

We had free time for the rest of the day, and took “rest” literally. We did walk to a local gastrobar, Nuevo Ayala, for a light dinner at a normal hour (6:30pm, not 8:30pm) – pizza and beer!

A short walk back to the Hotel de la Reconquista, and the best night’s sleep I’ve had for days.

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And onward to Santiago del Compostela

Bagpipes and Books