La Coruna to Corme
The adventures of Chili III
Peter & Belinda Vernon
Tue 24 Jul 2018 17:24
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43:15.6N 8:57.5W
It is always exciting to arrive in a foreign port after
3 days at sea. The boat's just the same but you're suddenly in a very different
environment. Different language, food, architecture, climate and eating times
(dinner before 9pm is not available). The Marina Nautico is a
destination for sailors from all over Europe and beyond. As well as Spanish
boats there were people from France, Sweden, Ireland, UK, Netherlands as
well as USA and Canada. You can tell its a port for serious sailors by the
amount of laundry hanging from every bit of rigging. It has a good
feeling of camaraderie about it with lots of chat about weather and
destinations. We met Canadian / Irish couple Bruce & Dierdra McCloud
from Rollon who were very friendly and helpful in tracking down a Spanish
courtesy flag, the absence of which was making us feel very under-dressed and
time spent trying to find, disproportionate!
The first night was accompanied by an unbelievably loud
metal band on the quay that kicked off at 2300. Silicon ear plugs and sheer
exhaustion from lack of sleep meant we slept through it blissfully. Ed went and
joined in - felt my age!
Everyone had told us that La Coruna was a rather
uninteresting industrial port - a good port of arrival as there is easy
access in any weather, but not somewhere to hang around. We disagree. Its a
delightful city where we spent a very enjoyable couple of days going for walks,
exploring the old town, enjoying great tapas (and catching up on sleep.) The old
medieval town is particularly lovely with narrow and cool car-free streets
and squares. Lunch at the Jamoneria La Leonesa was excellent
- Jamon Iberica, fresh bread and a beer. We walked out to
Torre de Hercules, one of only 2 light houses marked on a Roman map of
Europe, the other at Alexandria. It is a huge Square tower and very
significant for us as our land mark at the end of 2 Biscay crossings.
On Tuesday 24th we set off for Corme in light winds. The
new "code S" sail designed in blue and yellow by Belinda worked brilliantly and
has us moving along at 7 knots in 7 knots of wind on the beam. We arrived at
19:30 in time for a drink ashore and lovely dinner on board, anchored in the
bay. Corme is a tiny fishing port with a welcoming bar on the quay -
very local. Again, our last visit came to mind - 2 days at anchor in
ferocious winds unable to get off the boat. Much calmer this time round.
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