St Julian Sur
Magnetic Attraction
Roger and Margaret Pratt
Sat 25 Jul 2009 19:55
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42:33.44N
8:52.48W
After a Friday morning in the sun, managing at last
to connect both computers to the Nautico cafe website, and even talking by Skype
to Wendy in La Coruna, we managed to get ashore in Caraminal and walked round
the town. It's nice, and despite the bad weather we both have warm
feelings. We'll be back! After the obligatory post prandial siesta (
so much easier when its hot and sunny!) the bold move was made, sailing the 5
miles or so to St Julian - a baby harbour on the S side of the Isla Arousa, in
anticipation of the wind going NE. It's a tricky piece of pilotage,
requiring navigation through the bateas and avoiding the many isolated rocks
that lurk below the surface.
Rather to our surprise we are the only boat at
anchor here, and so have got the plum spot, anchored in the middle and further
inshore than expected. Arriving at high water, it all looked pretty
benign, but a rock appeared as the water went out that was uncharted!
Roger has amended the chart accordingly. At low water it's about 3m
high!. Here are the pictures before and after.
  We walked ashore this morning, leaving the dinghy
in just enough water at the end of the slipway. We walked through to
O Xullo, the north-facing harbour (it's about 200 yards.) This part
of the village was preparing for a fiesta of Navalla (I think) - anyway,
celebrating the razor clams. The arrangements were interesting.
First you buy your Ticket [sic] and then hand it into your chosen food
supplier. There were long refectory tables in the shade at which to eat,
each with a plastic bin on the end for remains. Some people were snacking,
even though it was only just after midday. There was a funfair, mainly
aimed at children. All the shops were shut - only the bars were
open.
Walking back to St Julian, Roger saw a sign for the
Tourist Information office. Bingo! A most helpful girl directed us
to the bakery that was open, and advised on play ideas and things to
do. the Info office is located in the first canning factory to be
built on the Island - by Catalans, in 1897. The bridge to the Island was
built only in 1984, and it still has a strong Island feel. It reminded us of Ile
de Re. Here is a picture of the harbour at low tide,
 After lunch, we dinghied across to a small island
which seemed to be attracting boats for an afternoon anchorage. It was
Heaving with people in boats, dinghies and even vedettes. It reminded
Roger of pictures of Chinese beaches. I swam but the water was cold.
Coming back, downwind, it was definiteley warmer than in the sea, however
shallow the water.
Tomorrow, we're minded to stay here another day and
cycle, before going further up into the Ria.
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