42 06N 008 51W

We seem to have had more than our fair share of fog this past week. 6 out of 7 days we have seen some fog banks (and on the 7th day it rained). It rolls down the hills and onto the sea with very little warning, dropping the temperature dramatically. Lots of strong SW’ly winds at the moment so we are going south at every available opportunity. Tomorrow we are Bayonna bound before the remains of a Caribbean storm comes our way.

Apart from the s**t weather, life is pretty good. We heard there was a festival some time in Mid September at a place called Rianxo at the top end of the Ria Arousa. We went up there and anchored off. We had conveniently arrived on day 1 of the 7 day event ! The town didn’t look like much from the anchorage but 1 street back it was wonderful. Cafes, bars and restaurants, music, funfair etc. etc. Lots of typical Galician narrow streets.

We arrived in the evening in the dinghy and Caroline points to a nice set of steps on the outside of the harbour wall with a convenient rail to padlock it to. off we go ashore. About 10 pm, the locals set off these very loud banger rockets, right above where the dinghy was moored ! It did seem odd that no one else had moored there. Now we know why !

That night the wind was forecast to go into the south and increase to Force 5/6 so when we arrived back on the boat at about 11 we battened down everything tight and went to bed. Around 4.00 am we were awoken to 30 knots + of wind with the anchor snubber and chain almost horizontal and the boat pitching quite badly. We upped anchor and went into the fishing harbour and tied up to a spare berth. In the morning when the wind dropped a bit we moved around to a more sheltered bay.

we are now in Baiona having motored round from Ria Arousa in no wind but large Atlantic swells. Have suffered 36 hours of torrential rain and strong winds. The leftovers of tropical storm Henry. At last the sun is out and the wind has died but we are fast running out of warm clothes to wear !! Wasn't supposed to be like this ! Heading south on Friday towards Porto. stocking up there then heading to Madeira on the first decent weather window !

C & C