42:36.271N 008:56.057W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Sun 12 Aug 2012 22:22
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"Pueblo del Caraminal" - Saturday 11th August
2012
Due to poor visibility our coach trip was delayed
until the afternoon, by which time the fog had lifted at sea level. The
short journey took us up the Curota mountain from where there should have
been magnificent views from Finisterre to Cabo Silleiro, unfortunately the fog
had not cleared sufficiently for us to see the full vista but it was
beautiful nonetheless. We saw many wild horses with their foals and some mares
looking as it they were soon to become mothers which was surprising as it seems
late in the season. We also visited the Mirador de Aguino, another beautiful
vista point again not as clear as it might have been but beautiful views over
the river estuary and long sandy coastline. This view point was quite unique as
a stone staircase had been built against an enormous boulder so that you could
stand on the top to enjoy the views.
We returned to the marina and enjoyed a drinks
party hosted by several of the yachts who had attended the Rally in the past. It
was fun and quite an education to me as a novice to cruising, as homemade
mackerel pate (the fish had been caught the day before on our sail here); home
made pizza and other delicacies appeared. Our elderly Spanish host to the
Rally sat on the only chair which had been requested from the marina
office. At first it had been refused until it was pointed out that our host
had in fact brought 18 yachts to the marina for 2 nights - a chair soon
appeared.When we bade our farewell to our host sitting regally on his chair, he
noticed that I was carrying two bags full of empty wine bottles. " Give those to
the children" he said "they will take them". I looked about me but there
were no children to be seen. I must have looked puzzled, because he repeated it
pointing to the two 40ish young men standing beside him. These were his sons,
their faces a picture as they held out their hands to do as they were
told!
Sunday 12th August
An early start to the day as the coach was to leave
at 9am. This was to be a long day, first we visited a monastery. It had been
originally built in 1168 as a house, but the lord and his wife who did not have
any children decided to transform it into a monastery. Next we visited a
most beautiful church which housed the mausoleums of the founder of the Palace
of Fefinanes and his wife. The Palace was situated adjacent to the church and we
were privileged to be given a private tour of the palace, its distillery and
gardens and tower, from which there were gorgeous views of the square below,
across the streets of the town to the harbour. The tour was
followed by the opportunity to taste their own produced wine. We were each
handed a glass of white wine shown how to hold the base and stem only, shown how
to smell the wine and then how to swirl the wine in the glass to bring
out the aroma. There was then a dialogue of information about the grapes,
techniques etc before finally we were allowed to sample the contents of our
glasses. Later an Irishman in our group commented that he was pleased the
information had not been given in three languages!
Next we walked through the town to the Pazo La
Capitana where we were served a wonderful light lunch in a beautiful courtyard,
shaded by many vines and home to three ancient winepresses. We all enjoyed
ourselves, the children enjoyed the raised pond getting a little wet. Many of us
purchased cases of wine to take back to our boats at 4 Euros a bottle it was too
good an opportunity to miss and we know it is good!
Tomorrow we sail to Muros.
Photograph: "Wild
Horses"
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