Bilbao and we are now in Basque country

Our trusty GPS - and I apologise for being rude about her - took us safely into the heart of this bustling city.  We then walked to the Guggenheim Museum.

Here on the river is the iconic building that draws the visitors to this city.  The shimmering titanium finish of the museum dominates the riverfront view and it has turned Bilbao into a major European art centre.

Outside at the front.

Outside exhibits.

I surreptitously took a few forbidden photos inside.

This chandelier is made up entirely of tampons.  The work of Joana Vasconcelos, a Portugese artist who works in sculpture and installation.  The work of two giant stilettos made out of saucepans was the most striking of her works.

Within the museum, there are huge brightly coloured octupus-like creations taking up interior spaces that dominate the museum.  These are sculptural streamer-like works of art.  Very imaginative and impressive.

And here is life imitating art in the midst of the exhibits - a window cleaner.










And  couple of photos taken of the rest of the city.

A well designed men's urinal.

Puente Zubizuri, the wave-like bridge that is the most striking of the many bridges crossing the river.

The beaches dotted along the northern coast of Spain are the main reasons for the region's popularity with tourists both from within Spain lower down in the country, and from France right next door and Germany and the Netherlands coming third and fourth.  We saw motor homes with those number plates streaming in in great numbers to enjoy the playas.