Workaway: exploring Cantabria

July 22 - 31

I have found myself a 'workaway' experience that I can barely call 'work'.. It's really more like holiday! I am living with a lovely family in Argoños, a tiny village in Cantabria on the north coast of Spain, surrounded by mountains and beaches - two of my favourite things!!

I spend one hour each morning doing an English lesson with the oldest daughter and the rest of my day is spent playing with the kids or exploring the nearby areas, chatting to the whole family so that they can practice their English. When we're not out exploring we're baking, making bracelets, rollerblading, playing games, doing nail art...certainly always keeping busy!

We mastered nail art... They're strawberries, obviously! 

Equally successful baking... :/

I am incredibly well fed, with delicious Spanish food. A new favourite: melon wrapped in ham!

Argoños itself is a beautiful little village. The beach is just a 15 minute walk away and there are numerous parks and paths that lead to stunning views. I've been going on a run most mornings to further explore.

Often we go to Noha beach, just a five minute drive away. This beach is lined with gorgous mountains and is much bigger than the local one, stretching out about 4km. One end is jammed full of people (because its near the town) and the other end is a nudist beach... We tend to find a spot somewhere in the middle, where it's not too crowded, and where most people have their clothes on..!

The nearby town of Santoña is much bigger and very popular with Spanish tourists (I don't think many international tourists even make it to Cantabria - the region) The coast line there is stunning. It's a part of a small bay...again, surrounded by mountains! That view. Incredible. There is only a very narrow strip of beach in Santoña but you can get a quick boat over to Laredo where there is an enormous beach.

We spend a lot of time in Santander, the capital of Cantabria and the closest city. There's always lots going on. They had a festival on for a bit, with concerts and a fun fair and fireworks! 

We've roamed around the parks and beaches, checked out a palace and eaten pintxos (bite-size tapas) at outdoor food stalls. My favourite pintxo was the local ham with cheese and walnuts and a blueberry sauce. Amazing.

Barcena Mayor is by far my favourite place we've been. Walking through this tiny little traditional village felt like stepping back in time. And, again, it was surrounded by mountains. Perfect!

After a wander around the town, we went just down the road to the river. Along with many locals, we found a spot of shade for our picnic lunch. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon hopping between rocks on the river and taking advantage of its many natural slides (again and again and again..!)

I'm off for a 'weekend break' to San Sebastian...and then I'll be back to see some more of Cantabria!