So the start of our new adventure has had a few ups and downs, thankfully not matched on the high seas. As we were leaving for the ferry on Friday evening we discovered that one set of lights on the back of Tigín, weren’t working. After doing all the usual checks we established that it wasn’t a simple bulb replacement. As a next step hubby climbed under the rear of the camper and discovered that some of our electric housing had been pulled away from underside of the van. As there was bits of electrical debris on the ground we think it is quite likely that our less than neighbourly foxes are the cause. It wouldn’t be the first time time they have chewed through wires and hoses in our garden. Now don’t get me wrong I love to see the foxes and their cubs in the garden, if only they would stop chewing things and digging. I’m of the firm opinion that at one stage they had full architectural draws for a dwelling under our garden shed.

We did manage to get to the ferry on time and for our 30 hour sailing from Rosslare to Bilbao, the sea state was calm. The next morning we found a seat in a lounge toward the front of the ship. It was a perfect day, the sun was shining, a welcome change from the biblical rain in the previous 24 hours in Dublin, when we thought we might be able to float, rather than drive to the ferry. From our vantage point we watched as numerous pods of dolphins came to surf along the bow wave of the ship as we made our way South. Seeing dolphins in the open ocean never gets old. The boat was comfortable and had plenty to entertain on the long journey. We even got to watch the Ireland v Samoa Rugby World Cup match live.

It was a quiet Sunday morning early when we disembarked in Bilbao. Our first stop was a camping area in the hills overlooking the city. A beautiful spot with amazing views, it only allows a maximum two night stay, so we are making the most this short time, exploring Bilbao. And hopefully we will be able to get the repairs done in the next couple of days so we can venture forth and and explore some of this stunning surround countryside which we can see from our elevated vantage point.