Back North again

11-13 July.

Time to head north again.
Back to Barra Beach for a couple of days.

Next to Vigo. Punta Lagoa Marina.
Helpful staff but we never did find the loos.

Al arrived.  This was good.
We had lunch in town.

14 July.

Up at 0600 (still dark).  Set sail (started motor) at 0655.
You have to start early to beat the Nortada. (a wind that blows against you whichever way you want to go from about 1100 till nightfall).

We arrived in Ribeira (Ria de Arousa) for lunch.
Siesta.
Beer and crockets ashore.
Lubricated the winches.
Dinner aboard.
(not neccessarily in that order).

15 July.

To Camarinas in the Ria de Camarinas (unsurprisingly).

Up at 0600 etc.
We were aiming to stop at Corcubion just south of Finisterre but the sailing (Yes, sailing) was going so well that that we decided to go on the extra 13 miles past Finisterre to Camarinas or Muxia.   This was a mistake and resulted in a near-epic-voyage.  There is something about passage planning when Jean, Al and I get together.  Anyway, the Nortada did its best to prevent us reaching our destination, the engine overheated (possibly) but we survived to enhance and fabricate the tale.

The Feast Day in Camarinas lasted 2 days.  Fishing boats decorated with flowers, balloons and bits of trees motored around the ria, horns hooting and sirens wailing.

A decorated boat (photo by Jean)

Several decorated boats (photo by Jean)

 As night tried to fall, three bands competed for our attention just outside the marina. There was a mssive fireworks display.  etc.

17 July

Off to Corme, a small town and a quiet anchorage 16 miles northwards.

 Heading for Corme

Peaceful Corme

In Corme, Al (Professor Emeritus of Marine Biology) kindly applied his extensive knowledge of Tropical Coral Reef Ecosystems to our Albatross' overheating engine.  In short, armed only with a wire brush he swam under the boat and cleaned the engine water intake strainer.  Whether this has made any difference is open the question, but it was fun watching him.

18 July.

Up early again.  The Nortada etc.

We motored to Coruna.

Jean at the helm.

Approaching Coruna and the Tower of Hercules

Coruna also known as La Coruna and A Coruna, is of course not only the resting place of Sir John Moore but also the port from which this year's sailing saga began ... earlier this year (obviously).

It was time to do the washing (Jean did this on this occasion)

England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Washing  

(Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson 1805)

Then we went home.