GIJON

Marita3
Mark & Helen Syrett
Fri 16 Jun 2017 13:26
43:32.714N 05:39.982W

We arrived in Gijon at 1700 yesterday (15 June). The promised north easterly winds did not materialise and were mainly north north east or north at about 8 to 10 knots——pretty useless for sailing a course of 180 degrees and very frustrating. Between bouts of wallowing in the sun and glassy calm waters of Biscay we did have a spell of westerly beam winds during Wednesday night of about 12 knots where we romped along at over 6 knots for about 9 hours——very satisfying!
As we approached Gijon we decided to read the pilot book. It referred to the Real Club Astur des Regates but unfortunately it is a social club and does not welcome visitors, especially foreign ones!
The city was completely rebuilt after destruction in the civil war when it was subject to a heavy bombardment from the sea, fierce fighting in the streets and round the Nationalist Barracks, which miners armed with sticks of dynamite stormed in 1936. The marina was built on the site of the old harbour when Musel, to the west of the city, was developed as the new commercial port. Plenty of history here for the crew to talk about!
As we are leaving Marita here for a few weeks we have been allocated a quiet pontoon next to a more central part of the town. One other Malo 39 (Lorna of Lorne) is here and another (Kraken) due to arrive soon having been delayed in La Rochelle with stern tube issues—shades of Tonga?
This morning we went to the Raymarine agent as detailed on the web site. After about an hour's walk we arrived at what turned out to be an office only to find that they did the admin but that the shop/works department was by the marina---- about a 4 minute walk from the boat! The chart plotter dial that controls the cursor and is also the “OK” button that is depressed to enable an action had all come apart—not good. The man there took one look and said that it needed to be sent to Raymarine in Valencia for repairs and that would only be possible if they had the part——he would check but as it was nearly lunchtime (12 noon) it would be best if we came back at about four o’clock——how long does lunch take?? So the saga drags on!
For those interested this is a well located city/marina——the nearest airport is at Asturias (Oviedo) and Easyjet fly here from London Stansted. There is a bus on the hour every hour (starting at 0600) from the bus station (a five minute walk from the marina) to the  airport that takes 50 minutes. The marina offer special rates for an extended stay so all in all a good safe place to stay if demands of children, elderly parents and weddings present themselves!! Santander and Bilbao with ferries to the UK is along the coast to the west.
Finally nobody will understand where you are talking about if you pronounce Gijon phonetically——it is pronounced “ e-gon” or something like it !