Wednesday 20 November 2013
Porto
We hopped on the metro at Povoa de Varzim as it would be much easier than taking our boat up the Rio Douro to Porto. Unfortunately we misjudged getting off the metro and ended up one-stop further on than intended! Undeterred we spent a wonderful afternoon exploring the narrow streets of the historic city centre in the autumnal sunshine. Porto was really quite spectacular with oodles of narrow streets that looked like what you might expect London to have once been like, with four storey buildings with a few extensions popped onto the roofs! Lilly enjoyed her day out in the city especially as she got to sit and eat grilled sardines with Maurice. They were delicious!
A Coruna to Portugal
Due to our longer than planned stay in A Coruna we were keen to continue along the so called 'Coast of Death' towards Portugal. Dave (from A Coruna) joined us for a few days, we enjoyed his company and his excellent cooking. We motored sailed along the coast through rough seas to Camarinas, arriving at a calm anchorage just before dark.
The following day we continued through calmer seas past excellent scenery, we were joined by about 30 dolphins who swam alongside for a couple of hours. Lilly was as excited to see them as us! Unfortunately Dave had to leave us when we arrived in Portosin that evening, Boo!
We enjoyed an exhilarating sail south past numerous islands to Baiona at speeds of 8-9 knots with just the mizzen and genoa sails. We decided to stay in Baiona for a few days due to strong winds and rough seas. The marina at Puerto Deportivo was expensive considering it was ageing portocabins, so we moved to a yacht club mooring buoy. The Monte Real Yacht Club is set within the grounds and buildings of an old castle, a great place to stay, so much nicer! :-)
Another lively sail in strong winds took us across the Portuguese border to Viana do Castelo, staying just long enough to catch up on sleep, complete formalities and explore the old town. We continued south to Povoa de Varzim past a giant wind turbine to an excellent marina, from where we could travel to Porto.
The following day we continued through calmer seas past excellent scenery, we were joined by about 30 dolphins who swam alongside for a couple of hours. Lilly was as excited to see them as us! Unfortunately Dave had to leave us when we arrived in Portosin that evening, Boo!
We enjoyed an exhilarating sail south past numerous islands to Baiona at speeds of 8-9 knots with just the mizzen and genoa sails. We decided to stay in Baiona for a few days due to strong winds and rough seas. The marina at Puerto Deportivo was expensive considering it was ageing portocabins, so we moved to a yacht club mooring buoy. The Monte Real Yacht Club is set within the grounds and buildings of an old castle, a great place to stay, so much nicer! :-)
Another lively sail in strong winds took us across the Portuguese border to Viana do Castelo, staying just long enough to catch up on sleep, complete formalities and explore the old town. We continued south to Povoa de Varzim past a giant wind turbine to an excellent marina, from where we could travel to Porto.
Sunday 10 November 2013
Gijon to A Coruna
We left Gijon in the late afternoon for a short sail to the nearby anchorage at Ensenada de Lumeres. A remote secluded anchorage that was wonderful, until the Atlantic swell arrived. It felt like we'd slept in a washing machine, or tried to!!
Northern Spain has the most beautiful coastline so far, lush green hills and cliffs right down to the sea.
We motor-sailed onto Navia, through rough weather and were relieved to reach the safety of the visitors pontoon where we received a warm welcome from the local yacht club. Navia didn't get a great write up in the pilot guide, but we found it a great place for coastal walks, bike rides and we were right in the centre of town.
A few days later we sailed onto Ria del Barquero, arriving in early evening and anchoring in the dark. Then an unforecast hoolie blew all night, causing us to swing and sway at anchor.
Our journey onwards to Cedeira took us past numerous rocky headlands and dramatic coastline scenery. We stayed in Cedeira for a few days sheltering from strong winds and large waves, allowing us time for several walks along the rocky coastline and nearby forests.
At the next weather window, we headed west along the lush coastline to A Coruna mostly under motor due to a lack of wind. About 10 miles from A Coruna our engine stopped working and wouldn't restart!
Which we later found out was due to a build up of muck in the fuel tank. We were unable to make any progress, due to the lack of wind and large Atlantic swell.
We were eventually rescued and towed into the harbour. Our lack of fortune was balanced by our lack in meeting two Dave's.
First Dave has lived in A Coruna for many years and couldn't have been more helpful, showing us the town, translating and dashing all over town to help us find what we needed for repairs.
Second Dave, a marine engineer, sauntered over to offer his help and advice, without which, we may still be in A Coruna today - or in receipt of a hefty repair bill from the marina. His wife, Karen, passed on her wisdom and recipes for our onward journey.
Thanks to all, we are so very grateful.
Onwards towards Portugal.....
Northern Spain has the most beautiful coastline so far, lush green hills and cliffs right down to the sea.
We motor-sailed onto Navia, through rough weather and were relieved to reach the safety of the visitors pontoon where we received a warm welcome from the local yacht club. Navia didn't get a great write up in the pilot guide, but we found it a great place for coastal walks, bike rides and we were right in the centre of town.
A few days later we sailed onto Ria del Barquero, arriving in early evening and anchoring in the dark. Then an unforecast hoolie blew all night, causing us to swing and sway at anchor.
Our journey onwards to Cedeira took us past numerous rocky headlands and dramatic coastline scenery. We stayed in Cedeira for a few days sheltering from strong winds and large waves, allowing us time for several walks along the rocky coastline and nearby forests.
At the next weather window, we headed west along the lush coastline to A Coruna mostly under motor due to a lack of wind. About 10 miles from A Coruna our engine stopped working and wouldn't restart!
Which we later found out was due to a build up of muck in the fuel tank. We were unable to make any progress, due to the lack of wind and large Atlantic swell.
We were eventually rescued and towed into the harbour. Our lack of fortune was balanced by our lack in meeting two Dave's.
First Dave has lived in A Coruna for many years and couldn't have been more helpful, showing us the town, translating and dashing all over town to help us find what we needed for repairs.
Second Dave, a marine engineer, sauntered over to offer his help and advice, without which, we may still be in A Coruna today - or in receipt of a hefty repair bill from the marina. His wife, Karen, passed on her wisdom and recipes for our onward journey.
Thanks to all, we are so very grateful.
Onwards towards Portugal.....
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