42:13.951N 08:44.581W

Caraminal to Eugenia (Uxia) to Isla Salvora to Vigo or a lot of firsts

We had missed the fiesta in Caraminal by one day and found the town was in recovery mode with not much going on. With the town busily sleeping off its collective hangover we had another maintenance morning and touched up the port holes on the starboard side to make Spectra look all shiny again. The harbour was very exposed to swell and as we were overhanging our rather spindly pontoon by about a third of the boats length I was rather keen to move on before we got caught out, even though the weather is set to be fair for the next week. We slipped away at lunchtime on the 26^th with the plan to anchor somewhere, which would be a first. The first anchorage we looked at was an open exposed beach and with an onshore breeze it was voted down by the entire crew (Norma). The second anchorage looked more promising. It was in a little bay protected on three sides by wooded hills and with the entrance channel flanked on both sides by mussel barges. Unfortunately as we turned the last corner we were met by a small fleet of fishing boats all on fixed moorings. We did however manage to find a likely spot and dropped our anchor several time to no good effect. It refused to dig in and hold, slipping each time bringing a huge bundle of seaweed up with it. As it was beginning to get dark I decided on caution over valour and crossed the Ria again in order to go into the marina at Eugenia (Uxia) for the night.

Here comes number one first. Our first bad harbour in Spain. Eugenia (Uxia) could not fit us in as all of the visitors pontoons (there were supposed to be 40 of them) were taken up with small fishing boats. We were therefore instructed to moor alongside the outer breakwater, which was a pretty rickety affair. Having moored up we surveyed our surroundings, Eugenia is a commercial fishing port with all of the attractive features of Grimsby on a wet Friday night. The fishing harbour, 100 meters south, was extremely busy with the associated wailing sirens and the fish smell was how shall we say, pungent to say the least! Anyway, we went into the Club Nautica to pay, shock number two, 47 Euros the most expensive yet. Apparently they have decided here to do away with the winter rate. What more can I say, the showers were dirty and cold, the facilities shabby, and the WiFi did not reach as far as Spectra. Oh, and the locals used the outer breakwater as a fishing platform all night as it had no security gate. We left the following morning.

Again the plan was to anchor somewhere and so we headed out towards the mouth of the Ria. As we approached the Isla Salvora we noticed a group of yachts moored inshore. That will do we thought, and headed in. Great place, as it was Saturday the local yachts were out in force enjoying the sun. We dropped the hook and it bit first time, 2000 revs in reverse and Spectra stayed put so all good, first number two, we have anchored for the night. This was shortly followed by first number three, I went for a swim, very refreshing. First number four was the deployment of our hammock which Gemma had bought me for my birthday. 20 minutes later Norma was reclining comfortably suspended below the main boom surveying all who passed. Later Norma set herself up to do a painting of the bay while I tried the fishing gear again, (no fifth first I’m afraid, the fish still scoff at my efforts) As evening approached all of the local yachts headed back home leaving us alone with the lighthouse beaming out from the top of the Island. With the sun going down I pulled in the bathing ladder and switched on the anchor light. At this point there was a loud bang from across the Ria. About 4 miles away a town was having a fireworks display, some days just end right don’t they?

A small part of me is in deep shock in this picture…..Proof that I did swim

Relaxing in the sun anchored off our own private beach

Our beach on the Isla Salvora                                                                        A very slow Spinnaker run

28^th and after a disturbed nights sleep (I guess being anchored takes a bit of getting used to) I was up and about getting ready to go. Norma wanted to finish her painting and so it was a bit like my military days a big rush and frantic run around and then the big wait or as we used to say “hurry up to stop”! Finally we set off for Vigo in a dead calm so it was motor on again for the 15 or so miles around the corner a group of three dolphins and a baby kept us company for a short while and that was really the highlight of the trip.

Vigo is looking good so far. The marina Davila Sport is very modern and efficient although it is in the middle of the industrial port, anyway sightseeing tomorrow and we have just come back from a meal ashore…………More later.

Approaches to Ria Vigo