We have spent a very pleasant 4 days in Bayona, berthed at the Puerto Deportivo instead of the yacht club, where we have caught up with our running maintenance tasks. We have found this marina to be very satisfactory, although the shore-side facilities are not extensive. We could have had a berth at the yacht club, but failed to arrange it beforehand, and once we were settled in where we are, could not be bothered to move. We did ask if we could use the club durng our visit, but were told that it is only open to those berthed there. Their loss!

When we stopped on our way south, we were too preoccupied with Rally activities and crew changes to do Bayona justice. This time we have found that we really like the place as a stopping point. It has a mix of old narrow streets and a new, modern shopping centre, and all the range of shops, restuarents and bars that you could want. The shellfish here is particularily abundent and good quality.

The setting is really attractive, with hills surrounding the bay, and mountains in the distance.

We have been struck again by the differences in culture between Portugal and Spain. You get a sense of a more affluent society here. And we are back in a land where the panaderia are full of delicious looking pastries and tarts. Temptation calls…

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