Sanxenxo (pronounced Sanshensho)
Chiscos - Atlantic Cruise
John Simpson
Thu 18 Aug 2011 10:15
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42:23.77n 08:48.22w
We didn't go ashore at San Vincente but it looked a
pleasant beach from our vantage point in the bay. There was one other boat
in the anchorage, also flying the British ensign and an ARC 2011 flag.
Whilst we were eating our evening meal the other boat started to sound it's fog
horn and as it wasn't foggy we guessed they were trying to attract our
attention! We put the radio on, called them up and were invited over to
their boat for a drink. Stuart and Anne had sailed their boat 'Time
Bandit' from Oban via Ireland and were heading for Lisbon to leave their boat
there until later in the year. We look forward to meeting them again in
Las Palmas for the ARC rally.
Wednesday morning dawned overcast and windless, but the sun
soon burned off the cloud and a sea breeze came up. There wasn't enough
wind to power Chiscos but we moved on anyway as we only had a short distance to
go under engine. We needed to fill up with diesel, having nearly used up
the fuel we bought in Falmouth, so we headed for Sanxenxo which has a large
marina with all facilities. Here's Chiscos with John on deck at the fuel
pontoon.
 We had intended to go to the next bay to anchor overnight but
Sanxenxo looked a nice place to visit so we moved onto the visitors' pontoon to
stay the night in the marina. We have definitely crossed a line into
prosperous Spain here. The town is a holiday resort, similar in feel to
Torquay but nicer (and a lot warmer!). It's very much cleaner and tidier
than the places we have already visited and feels quite sophisticated. The
Spanish approach to time is much the same though - I went to the beach along
with the crowds at 6.00 pm, had a swim and people-watched until 8.30 pm when
everyone started to leave the beach. We even managed to get the restaurant
timing right in the evening because we weren't there waiting for it to
open! We sat down to order at about 10.00 pm and had a lovely meal on a
terrace overlooking the harbour.
 John ordered a dish that combined all his favourite tastes in
one - it was a baked dish containing potatoes, ham, cheese, garlic sauce,
prawns, eggs and topped with pieces of fried bread (note the eggs,
Regis!). It sounds an unusual mixture but apparently it was
delicious! I had a whole turbot, which was equally good.
The area around the marina was full of trendy open-air
bars. This was my favourite so we stopped and had a drink here on the
way back to the boat. I have suggested to John that this is how our patio
at home should look!
 We are moving on again today (Thursday), intending to anchor
at Combarro, which is described in the pilot book as one of the most picturesque
locations in Galicia.
Susan
Email us at chiscos {CHANGE TO AT} mailasail {DOT} com
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