Adios, Espana
PROGRESS
Andrew and Hilary Clark
Wed 11 Jun 2008 07:15
Another windless motor-sail took us along the coast of Asturia to Gijon. As
we approached Cabo Penas we got enough wind to fill the sails and assist
progress, and the sun came out to improve the day no end. Approaching Gijon
from the north-west, there is a new large breakwater nearing completion for
the commercial port which seems to come out from Cabo de Torres to the edge
of the shipping lane, parallel to the Principe Asturias. There were frequent
large ship movements, with one bulk carrier going in from the waiting
anchorage as soon as her predecessor had cleared the berth.
Arriving in Gijon we went directly to the fuel berth to replenish our
tanks - an increasingly painful experience! there we were joined by
Trumpeter again, who had arrived the day before. The whole marina operation
was friendly and efficient. We quickly warmed to Gijon, helped no doubt by
an excellent meal at a pavement table in the Plaza Mayor.
Then on Tuesday morning the Heavens opened and the rain returned. The boats
on our pontoon were conducting a pantomine of dry - washing out - rain -
washing in - dry - start again!
We are planning to leave here on Thursday morning to cross to La Rochelle.
It seems incredible that it is just 4 weeks since we arrived in Bayona, we
have seen so many new places and thoroughly enjoyed our time here. If the
weather had been a little kinder, we would have lingered more in some
places, as there are infinite possibilies for expeditions by foot or
public transport. However, we are leaving with a real sense that this is
somewhere that we would like to return to in the future.
