Into Portugal
Tamarisk
Sat 20 Aug 2005 14:24
River Minho and into Portugese waters. With about 35 miles done, we turned
in for Viana Do Castelo and found ourselves pushing into a head wind of
30+ kts but got in ok. There are several boats here we´ve met before.
It´s a beautiful town full of Renaissance buildings paid for from profits
from fishing off the Newfoundland Banks and trade with Brazil. We happened
to turn up on the weekend of their biggest festival of the year - the
Festa de Nossa Senhorra Da Agonia - Our Lady in Sorrow. Lots of
shoulder-high carried Madonnas, marching-bands and strange papier mache
giants. The guide book promised bull-running but no such luck - just a
bull-fight and we won´t be staying for that.
Tomorrow (Sun 21st), we plan to head South again - maybe to Povoa de
Varzim or further.
Pics
Moored in Viana Do Castelo. Basilica above marina
Waiting for the procession
Anna looking glamorous
Gigantones e Cabecudos leading the procession
Drummers, brass bands, city dignatories and ladies in traditional costume
followed
Anna and Eddie and two new friends
Town square