Spanish update
Simanderal
Michael Hughes and Ger White
Fri 10 Aug 2007 17:46
Santander is a lovely city with a great location, beaches etc. We spent a
couple of days there, wandering the town and eating well. We left on 4
August for a 60 mile sail to Ribadesella--nice wind behind us and with the
boom preventer one side and genoa poled out the other we averaged 6 knots
for about 50 miles.
Ribadesella was a bit of a surprise! Normally no doubt a lovely town, we
chose to arrive on the day of a big youth party--the harbour front was
being used as a toilet by hundreds of very drunk youths,so mooring
alongside--a la pilot book--didn't seem the best option. We anchored a
safe distance off and stayed on board--pity as we'd been dreaming of a
nice tapas bar for the evening. Not much sleep--lots of noise and the
party was still going when we left early next morning.
So to Gijon on the 5th--not so far--just as well as into the wind and sea.
Gijon is better than its reputation--lots going on--including a pipe band
competition (Scotland represented by the Tayside Police Pipe Band, no
less) and next evening was a Spanish Hendrix type band--all free in the
town square. We also hired a car and spent a day in the Picos Europas.
On the 8th we sailed to Ribadeo--long trip--well organised marina and
pleasant town
On 9th to Viveiro--short trip, a nice fast sail on a broad reach and
moored before 1400. Viveiro old town is fascinating--another concert in
the town square so late night.
And today-10th-we're anchored in Ria de Cedeira. A fast sail with wind
behind--though at times a great deal of it--over 30 knots--so well reefed
and lots of adrenalin. But a fast passage for the 32 miles. Good
anchorage--the sun shines--and tomorrow we'll be in Coruna--where we rest
for a week!!