Bella artes in Bilbao

Today was perfect tourist weather, and we started with a quick look at the rather lovely market hall here - it was of course all kinds of foodstuffs that we couldn't buy (including some parts of animal carcass that I'd rather not have seen, to be honest - they really do use everything don't they?!) but it was a really clean and colourful building which made Borough look quite down at heel - though there wasn't as much variety in the counters on offer, at least today.

On to the tram, having managed to lose 5 euros in the ticket machine - grrr - we went to the Museo de Bella Artes for another dose of culture. Much more art to be seen that in the Guggenheim, mainly from Spanish artists, but some interesting stuff nonetheless, and there was a really great temporary exhibition of twentieth century posters, mainly the advertising variety. No photos allowed, but I managed to sneak a few while back were turned

Gris

Picasso

A 2m tall head by someone I can't remember

We went back to the same restaurant for lunch but managed to avoid the temptation of pintxos with something a bit healthier, and then went to find the Alhondiaga cultural centre that we hadn't been able to find the day before. It's been designed by Philippe Starck and so has a number of quirks including these columns in the main foyer (not sure if decorative or actually holding up the ceiling)

- and it seems like a big building with not much in it right now, but an interesting space nonetheless. As it was free entry we took in an exhibition of work by American feminist artist Judy Chicago - she reminded me a bit of Tracey Emin the way she puts herself out there, but her work is really varied (not all of it to my taste to b honest) and includes needlepoint work a bit like our own dear Grayson Perry's tapestries, and designing massive firework installations.

We walked through the city to the Zubi Zuri bridge (such a great name) and walked across its spongy surface to the other side of the river and the century-old funicular railway, to take us up Mont Artxanda for a really great view of the city and to see the sea out in the Bay of Biscay. On to San Sebastian tomorrow, just for half a day and overnight visit to give us an easier hop across the border to Hendaye and on to Paris by TGV on Friday.