From Tapas to Sardines

After Phil joined in Vilagarcia we cruised the misty Rias for a few days.

The Rias are fabulous. It's like cruising the Scottish lochs without fleeces or midges. Dramatic hills cascade down creating deep and challenging anchorages off secluded sandy beaches. The bars in old town's narrow streets providing refreshment and free tapas to weary sailors.

From Baiona's yacht club set within the castle walls we headed south. The high hills of Spain becoming the sand-dunes of Portugal. From the ancient town of Viana Do Castelo, with its friendly natives, and fish quays, to the bustling narrow streets of Porto, famed for it's Port houses, we enjoyed them all.

Over night w sailed down to Nazare. Dolphins played, porpoises slapped their tails as they chases the sardines around the boat in a feeding frenzie.

We're lifting the boat this afternoon to replace the anodes. Then its off to Lisboa......

Spanish Airforce bombs English yacht

Dark o´clock in the morning we slipped out of La Coruna, bound for Cape Finisterre, and on to the Rias. Dawn broke to find us sailing along the stunningly beautiful and rugged north coast in a 3m swell. the renouned Cape was just around the corner but we never saw it. We saw nothing. Fog shrouded the land. Only as we reached the Ria Muros did it reappear in all its splendor. No sin found in Portosin, we´try the Ria Arousa.

Round the ragged rocks we quietly sailed up through the Ria.

The drone of a low flying aircraft turned our heads astern. The flyingboat was at less than 100 ft, heading directly at us. As it passed astern it dumped its load of water. Hundreds of gallons crashed into the sea just metres astern. Not content with that it turned, dropped, scooped up another load and headed back - and bombed us again.

We are now at Vilagarcia awaiting the arrival of Phil. Close by the Marina is a tower block with a classic Spanish vila for the penthouse, surreal or self indulgent but fun to look at.

Dolphins for lunch

Biscay

We left Camaret in glorious sunshine but light winds so motored through the Raz and into Biscay. Then motored, and motorsailed ........ Dolphins came to play. Big tuna leaped madly as they chased their prey - big fish! I fished and caught.... a garfish.

30 miles NW of La Coruna the engine spluttered and died - we had run out of fuel. We finally tied-up in the new La Coruna marina at 0330hrs 5th Sept boy did that beer taste good!

Lots of photos to come.