Enjoying a few rest days here in Bayona whilst the last of the fleet arrive. It seems that whilst we had thought that we had seen lots of wildlife on the trip across Biscay, quite a few boats saw a number of whales and one even saw a Leatherback turtle.

The encounter that we had with a customs helicopter and aircraft was explained on the front page of the papers the next day. They had been tipped off about a drugs shipment coming in by yacht that day and it seems that not far behind us was the boat in question which was promptly arrested and an enormous amount of drugs seized.

On Saturday we had an organised coach trip to Santiago de Compostela which was brilliant. A guide treated us to a history of the region etc. on the journey up (the travelogue varied between interesting and unintelligible) and then on arrival in Santiago, the enigmatic 'Dolores' (aka Lola!) took over as guide and she treated us to a detailed and amusing tour of the more interesting parts including of course the Cathedral. The City is full of pilgrims who arrive in a constant stream by foot and by bike all with the aim of visiting the holy remains of St James the Apostle.

The Cathedral.

Certainly the buildings and the interior of the cathedral are impressive, but we were extraordinarily lucky to witness the swinging of the Botafumeiro.

This is a singular censer (a huge silver artefact containing burning incense) which dates from the 13^th century, weighs 53kg,reaches a speed of 68km/h, misses hitting the north and south trancept vaults by only 51cm while reaching an angle of 82 degrees, fell in 1499 and 1622 and is a perfect, gigantic pendulum conceived three centuries before pendulum physics was worked out. This requires 8 men to swing and is only done around 25 times a year. It also requires a very brave and solid priest to stop it as the swinging ends!

The Botafumeiro at rest before the swinging.

On our return to the marina, Chris Mortimer had arrived in his Najad 490 and so we spent the evening with him and his crew (Izzy and Dennis) quizzing him extensively about the Med and the route he had taken across and back from Gib to Greece and Turkey. However, after several bottles of wine and a good night in a Tapas bar, most of this information has been lost!

Sunday has been sunny and hot although there has been a strong North easterly wind blowing, which apart from anything else, stopped Chris from heading for the UK for another day or so.

At 8 pm tonight we have a ‘Welcome party and prize giving on the Club House lawn with tapas’. The dress code is “smart yachting” which has got quite a few of us scratching our heads! This could be the first and only airing of my M & S linen suit. Full report tomorrow.