Anniversary Dinner & Rioja Wine Festival

Saturday 21 September - Pamplona
We had ideas of getting to Spain for my birthday in August but, for several reasons, that didn't happen so we were determined to get there for our anniversary on 21 September - we just about made it! 

Whilst watching Rick Stein's series 'Spain' some years ago I've longed to go to Cafe Iruna in Pamplona so this was another reason to start our trip here.

Cafe Iruna and, indeed, Pamplona was put firmly on the map by Ernest Hemingway after he saw a bull run here.  He often frequented Cafe Iruna with friends to soak up the ambience and people-watch.  Not much has changed since the 20s and people still come here to do exactly the same.  It is on the Pintxos Route so there was no better place to celebrate! 

Happy 11th Anniversary!

Cafe Iruna, Pamplona

Sunday 22 September - Rioja Wine Festival, Logrono
It didn't take long for us to get onto the wine trail!  In fact, we've pretty much missed all the summer festivals and so we were determined to get one or two of the later ones in!  So off we went for a 2-hour bus/coach journey (really good coaches) to Logrono in the adjacent Rioja region.  We bought our entrada (ticket) which entitled us to a glass, unlimited vino and 4 pintxos each - fabulous!  One of the bars there was Campo Viejo - a well known brand in the UK - great to see it here.

Whilst queuing for salchicha (baked sausage) we met a couple of fun American women, Janet & Cathy with whom we shared the day and we had a fab time. 

Cathy, Campo Viejo vintner, Janet, Fliss & Mick enjoying a copa

Cathy's a real Spain aficionado (I thought I had it bad!) and has been coming here for years to explore the culture, food and wine!  Janet has become a fan too and the two of them travel together - Spain will never be the same again!

Cathy's rather partial to a drop of 'Campo Viejo'!

So, after a long day drinking, eating and making merry with the girls it was sadly time to get the bus back to Pamplona but we discovered they were passing through for a couple of nights (en route to San Sebastian) and would show us the Pintxos Route - happy days!  So, until the next post, hasta pronto!