Wednesday, February 19, 2025
This is normally the day of the week that I set aside for exploring a new city.
As noted before, the one great drawback of living in Gijón is the difficulty in traveling as most cities or sites of interest require slow travel by bus or local trains. Unfortunately, Gijón is not connected to other major cities via high speed rail.
When Laurie arrives next month, I think that renting a car will definitely be required to really explore Asturias' remote points of interest.
Preparation for Saturday's game in
Madrid still consumed much of my morning
Serie A Schedule for Week 6
The big game of the weekend is the Western Conference game that sees the Osos Rivas (3-1) on the road against the Las Rozas Black Demons (4-0). These two clubs have met in the National Championship Game each of the last three seasons. The Black Demons won their Week 1 contest this season over the Osos, 21-14.
The Western Conference bye this week goes to the Zaragoza Hurricanes (0-4).
In the Eastern Conference, the Mallorca Voltors (1-3) have the weekend off.
A Mariners win over Coslada
would make it a tie for Third Place
in the Western Conference
In their Week 1 skirmish, the Camioneros club defeated the Mariners in Gijón, 33-17.
How I often perceive a Mariners
Youth Flag Team practice
When I first arrived in Gijón last month, I visited the Museo del Ferrocarril de Asturias, the Train Museum of Asturias, which is located across the street from the apartment.
I was surprised by the lack of an entry fee but was informed that there is a group of eight local museums and/or historical sites in Gijón all with free entry every day that they are open.
I had already visited five of these most enjoyable sites, so I opted to board the #6 bus to the end of the line at Muselín to visit my sixth one.
From the Muselín bus stop, my Google Search told me that I was looking at a 35 minute, 2.1 KM/1.3 mile stroll to my goal site, La Campa Torres Archaeological-Natural Park. When I first read this, I thought that it was a rather slow pace to cover this relatively short distance.
My view from the Muselín bus stop
The old Roman fort that I wanted to visit was somewhere at the top of this hill that begged to be conquered on foot via a series of switchbacks.
I asked a passing jogger if this was the correct path and he confirmed that it was indeed. He also informed me that it would be more like a 60-75 minute hike to reach La Campa Torres.
Seen along my trek
Not sure who Don Lorenzo de Frutos Barros
was but the people of El Muselín loved him
I was still on the right path
People that I encountered both encouraged
me and guided me along the right path
I started my walk on that street
down to the left
An El Muselín fixer-upper . . .
. . . that needs some wall mending
We are only 7 km/4.3 miles from
bustling downtown Gijón
Fillmore?
Horses abounded behind the
wall above with the F
The Repsol Gasoline Company
has a huge storage facility next to
La Campa Torres
I had trekked to my destination and my number one take was that I had just walked a long distance uphill without spotting a single bar, café or restaurant to provide either beverage or sustenance.
Finally, I was there!
Interesting sculpture that was
not from Roman times
Also not a true Roman statue
Still, I found both of these sculptures to be most appropriate.
The old Roman fort's outer wall
The view from the Roman fort
to the beaches West of Gijón
Gijón in the distance
The remains of the Roman fort's
living quarters
Foundation of what is called
House #1
Foundation of the Astur House
Foundation of the Roman House
Painting of an old Roman soldier
found in the site's museum
I really liked this wooden man
This one tinkering with
some hammers was cool too
A re-creation of the typical
garb worn by a Roman Soldier
This site dates back to the 6th century B.C. when it was occupied by people involved in metalworking.
The Romans arrived here in the 1st century A.D.
Looking GOOD!
OK, well maybe some makeup is needed
A rather large Roman cornerstone
The museum had a fine display of
the bronze metalwork found on-site
These all acted as pins or buttons
to fasten clothing
Two re-created Roman buildings
The Sentry Walk
This spot is known as the
Intramural Area
A closeup of the Roman wall . . .
. . . and a more panoramic view
of the Roman Wall
The Counter Dyke
The Dyke
I know that traditionally, it rains a lot on Las Costa Verde but I didn't think that two dykes would be necessary atop this hill side fort until I realized that if uncontrolled, heavy rain water on this hill could drain down into the Roman village set below.
It looks like the coal mining
industry in Asturias is not dead yet
After a most informative visit to La Campa Torres, it was time to head for home.
When I first arrived at La Campa Torres, I asked the docent if there was another way down the hill that did not require so much walking.
She informed me that there is a #21 bus that only comes up the hill three times a day. She thought that the last one leaves at 3:00 p.m. from a small bus stop that was about a ten minute walk away.
PERFECT, it was 2:35 p.m., so I was on my way with time to spare.
When I got to the bus stop, I found out that her timing was off but still in my favor. The final #21 bus would pick me up at 3:22 p.m.
I was OK with it.
The wait allowed me to explore my surroundings.
There were sheep across the way
LOUD sheep
A beached boat was behind me
How did it get way up here?
Finally, the #21 bus arrived and whisked down the hill and into a new area of Gijón.
More adventure.
I have absolutely no idea
the function of this old building
A typical older Spanish man
walking with a cane in a park
Mossy trees
A park tribute to
Calixto de Rato y Roces
Lawyer and Doctor
You just don't see people named Calixto as much as you used to anymore.
Sidra and Pizza?
Why not?
A somewhat foreboding looking
apartment building
I've visited both of these countries
in the last four months
The step count today was solid
It was the equivalent of 19 Floors of elevation gained during my hillside stroll that garnered my attention.
I survived.
