Re: La Vuelta a España 2016
Posted: 03 Sep 2016, 09:15
Saturday's route starts from yesterday's finish, Urdax-Dantxarinea, crosses back into southern France and finishes at Aubisque-Gourette.
The first town the cyclists pass in France is Cambo-les-Bains (or Kanbo in Basque):
Cambo was a place where the incurably sick used to go in the hope of gaining some relief that the doctors of the time were unable to offer. Both Isaac Albéniz the Spanish composer and Edmund Rostand writer of "Cyrano de Bergerac" spent their last days there at the beginning of the 20th century.
Cambo was once part of the Basque province of Labourd which, though far from the areas most usually associated with them, was captured by the Vikings and held by them from 844-986 AD. From 1169-1199 it was ruled by King Richard I (Lionheart) of England.
Note that the lion is holding a harpoon and not a spear or arrow.
Gourette has a coat of arms that must have a story to it, but I have yet to find it:
The first town the cyclists pass in France is Cambo-les-Bains (or Kanbo in Basque):
Cambo was a place where the incurably sick used to go in the hope of gaining some relief that the doctors of the time were unable to offer. Both Isaac Albéniz the Spanish composer and Edmund Rostand writer of "Cyrano de Bergerac" spent their last days there at the beginning of the 20th century.
Cambo was once part of the Basque province of Labourd which, though far from the areas most usually associated with them, was captured by the Vikings and held by them from 844-986 AD. From 1169-1199 it was ruled by King Richard I (Lionheart) of England.
Blazon: Parti au premier d'or, au lion de gueules tenant en sa dextre un dard de harpon du même, posé en barre, la pointe en haut ; au second d'azur à fleur de lys d'or.
Note that the lion is holding a harpoon and not a spear or arrow.
Gourette has a coat of arms that must have a story to it, but I have yet to find it:
Blazon: D'azur à l'arbre terrassé de sinople, adextré d'un ours assis contourné de sable, senestré d'un taureau furieux de gueules, l'arbre accosté en chef de deux fleurs de lys d'argent.