Cruising Spain

Cruising the coast of Spain has been quite frustrating. The wind has been very variable or non existant in some areas. Cruisers we have met have reported the same. Everyone seems to be burning more diesel this year

On the upside we have visited a couple of very nice marinas, though Spanish ideas of secure marinas and our ideas are worlds apart. Portosin marina advertised it was secure enough to leave your boat and go exploring the Galicia region. However, when we asked how to get back in through the locked gates we were told to put our arm through the gate and press the button. Yep it worked [for everybody]. There did not appear to be any problems with theft though. It does however make you more vigilant about leaving the boat secure. For example we now have padlock on the cockpit locker and a lock around the outboard. These will not deter a persistant intruder, but hopefully protect against an opportunistic one. 

Our next stop through the rias was at a beautiful historic town of Combarro. A really nice friendly marina. We decided to visit Santiago de Compostella from here by bus after being assured it was 'easy'. 

The bus stops by the supermarket . 1st mistake. It stopped 200 yards further up the road. It comes every 45 minutes; 2nd problem. No times. 1 hour later we get on the bus. Miss the next connection by 5 mins. 3 hours later we arrive at Santiago. We might have been better walking, though Steve wasn't up for that.

After that things were great. The bus driver made a special stop for us near the Cathedral and many passengers were full of advice about our visit. Pity we understood about 1 word in a hundred. They speak very fast!

Cathedral at Santiago de Compostella

Some of the National Park areas we passed on the way down to Baiona. You need a permit to anchor there and another permit to go ashore. Maybe next time.

Last night we came into Baiona after a short 25 mile motor with about a 10 minute sail in the middle. We visited cruising couple Helen and Ian who set out from Australia in 2005 and who are doing the ARC in November. We had a lovely evening. We also met Emma and her husband and 2 boys who crossed Biscay the week before us and almost ran out of diesel on the way over. They are doing the Atlantic circuit as well and plan to be in Grenada for Christmas so we may see more of them. They are also crossing with the ARC. Would like to meet people crossing but not with the arc. I think we should have a different flag to identify ourselves.

The boat is in good order. All systems are working although the anchor chain has slipped on the gypsy a couple of times. Yesterday Steves thumb got trapped in there which has made a bit of a mess of it. Nothing broken. Fortunately he did not bleed on the deck!! That did make me reassess where we keep the first aid bags, when a plaster is not enough. 

Anyway, the sun is shining and a day exploring the town is ahead of us. Tonight we will drop out of the marina and go and anchor. Marina fees are relatively high. Here it is 33 euros, one of the cheapest yet. Tomorrow we are expecting a northerly wind and hope to make good use of it to get down to Portugal. 

It is beautiful in this area of Spain and we could have quite happily spent a summer season just pottering in the Rias. Maybe another time.