Wednesday - 22nd August

Slightly misty this morning, but not enough to stop us from launching the Avon and rowing to a beautiful little cove so that we could walk up to the lighthouse.  The water was crystal clear so it was easy to avoid the rocks under the surface, the concern was rather if we could all get out of the Avon without capsizing in the breakers.  As I was in the bow,  I had to get out first.  One leg in and one leg out as the receding water dragged the dingy back down the beach  it was suggested that I was quick.  I reminded them that I am the one with a balance  problem and waited until the boat came back towards my waiting leg before lifting out the inboard one.  We all landed with no mishap and had a lovely walk up through the woods and onto the open rocks above.  The island rocks were covered with Herring Gulls, Gannets and their youngsters, which took absolutely no notice of us nor the other hordes of walkers making the same pilgrimage,  they had come from another part of the island where there is a landing stage frequented by the ferries from the mainland.   As we walked on up the sun came out and by the time we reached the summit the views were glorious although lacking the clarity of a clear day with the shroud of mist covering them.  By now it was getting warm so we hurried on down the hill back to the  bay, which was now full of families enjoying the beach.  The question now was, could we leave the shore without causing a spectacle?  We carried the Avon down to the waters edge, counted the waves to get the timing right, the action being, that I would jump in the bow first, followed by our rower and finally Noel would jump into the stern and oars at the ready, we would be off!  All went to plan and we launched into the deep surprisingly without any catastrophe. 

Back onboard we had lunch before setting off for Bayona.    The wind was not kind to us so the engine was fully employed all the way to Bayona.  Friends from the Rally greeted us on our arrival and our Spanish friends later came to bring the new oil filter as promised, which was so very very kind of them.   I wonder what we will be doing tomorrow!

We had a great dinner in the town this evening with Simon, who has to travel back to the UK tomorrow morning.