Fai Tira Blog Thursday 10/09,

Fai Tira is Muros 42:46.56N 9:03.42W

I seem to remember that the last entry, from me, began with the report of an early start, as the prelude for a forty mile sea passage. And also that the morning was really calm. It was just the same today, although with some noticeable differences, It was nowhere near as cold and damp, this was linked into the other difference, no fog!!!

            Just leaving Camarinas at 8.00am local

No alternatives today either, we had just one plan and that was to arrive in Muros as soon as we could.

The strong gales of yesterday had subsided over night, but the forecast from the web, was still indicating that it would be blowy and from the north east. Well they got it partially right, but only the bit relating to the wind direction.

The rest of the pattern of the day, was very similar, calm seas with a bit of a swell and very light winds, almost directly behind, with a brief spell of sailing shortly after mid day, then back on engine power again.

We’d spoken to a number of other crews whilst moored up in Camarinas. And it seemed that the perceived attractions of Muros had also lured them, as they indicated that it was also to be the next intended destination for at least three of them. So our early start, wasn’t just down to the fact that we’re enthusiastic sailors who just can’t wait to get on with it. We also had an idea of just how small the harbour is, and although the proposed marina may well have been developed, it seemed to us that space would be at a premium, So we thought that it might be, bit of a case of first come first served, and so it was.

Our journey was largely quite and uneventful, even the bright spot of seeing dolphins was somewhat muted, they were in slow motion, going the opposite direction and just didn’t seem to want to play, but for Pete the passage past Finesterre was a significant milestone, not just from having heard it mentioned on so any forecasts, but also because it was our proposed destination on leaving the Scillies.

                               Cape Finesterre                                                  Flats seas and the clouds disappearing into a funnel 

However, for all it’s un-eventfulness, the view of the Spanish coastline was providing it’s own entertainment with spectacular craggy tree clad slopes and mountains. For much of the trip, we had the distant company of yacht sails.

We entered the Rea De Muros at about 4pm, a very wide and welcoming entrance with few obstacles, followed in, by what now, seemed the obligatory fishing boat. We entered the tiny and congested harbour. It seemed to be giving a good impression of getting a quart into a pint pot.

              Lots of boats squeezed into this little harbour                        OK I know more beer but now a tradition

There was just the one mast on display, belonging to a yacht crewed by a bloke called Chris, and his wife. Talk about intrepid sailors, These guys had sold up everything they had in the U.K. 3 years ago and had been sailing the world ever since, with no plans to stop. Wow!!!. Chris was moored up on the end of a long, not ever so substantial looking, pontoon. It there seemed like there was just one similar spot left and we bagged it The other guys, who arrived later, found no room and left to drop anchor outside the harbour..

                The last space in the harbour

It’s great, This has to be the most un-poncy marina yet, full of small domestic craft and working boats, and although our inclusion had the effect of cutting down the entrance width by about one third, no one seemed worried. One local shot out across of our bow later, heading for the entrance, at what seemed about 20 knots.

                              Morus in sparkling mode

After a long and helpful chat with Chris, we had a quick look around the old town, with its’ narrow, cobbled and slopping streets, very attractive. Grabbed a beer in a street side bar, Pete purchased some mussels from the local fish market ( I think his 4 oz mackerel from yesterday has given him the taste for sea food )

That’s it then, more exploring tomorrow and we’re going to catch the bus to Santiago De Compostela. Did think about doing it on the bikes, but for some reason Pete seems to have lost confidence in my judgement for distances!!!???

Bye for now. 

Pete and John.