| Datum: | 12-06-2016 Murgardos (Ferrol) - Redes | | | | Thursday 09-06-2016
Today we move on a little further, to the next Ria, close nearby the big city of Ferrol. But before we leave, we should really take the dinghy out of the water. Normally, we do this the night before, but yesterday I was too tipsy to get this together.
It is only 27 miles (= 50 km), there are a lot of clouds and no wind, so it’s engine-ville again. The weather is very changeable in this region. In the morning often overcast, with thick black clouds, that hover over the mountains. Glad to have AIS, thus we can follow our own ‘tracks’ back to sea. We set course for Ria de Ferrol and sail out.
As soon as we enter the Ria, the weather brightens and the sun comes out. It is a pity that most of the sailors skip these Ria’s and sail on straight to La Coruña, because this part of northern Spain is really worthwhile. At the entrance of the river we sail around the breakwater of a terminal. Next the river gets quite a bit narrower, some sort of funnel, so watch the buoys closely. At the suggestion of Peter (The Dutchman of Cedeira), we don’t go to Ferrol, a big industrial town, but to the bay called “Ensenada del Bana”, close to the village of Mugardos. On the left bank you see the “castelo San Felipe”and on the right bank the “castelo da Palma”. After you passed these, you see on the right side a small bay, that Peter advised us to go to. The Ria is beautiful, verdant with small houses scattered over the hills. We arrive at low tide, whereby we can see were the rocky parts are. In this bay there are only a few small boats of the inhabitants, there is one beach and we have a view on the city of Ferrol, where some big ships lie.
We throw the anchor with 40 metres of chain, which is more than enough to be fixed. The rest of the afternoon is spent in the cockpit, reading and enjoying the sun. At the start of the evening we see a super big cruise ship set off to sea from Ferrol with in its wash a mini pilot ship.
Friday 10-06-2016
It rained all night and now, in the morning it still looks menacing, but it doesn’t rain. Peter phones us and tells that he is coming our way with his sailing boat and we arrange to meet at the broad of the river around 17:00. That gives us a whole day to undertake something. We punt the dinghy to the village of Murgados; do some shopping and have lunch there. The tide gets even lower, so we attach the dinghy to a slant slope with a rope. Alas! Again this village is partly built on a hill, so it is walking up again, before we, after asking directions here and there, find the local bakery and the supermarket.
We have lunch at a nice little restaurant “As de Guia”, where we are waited on by a very friendly young man, who tries to speak English with us. I take shark, which I have never had before and it tastes great, I can really recommend this!
Unfortunately, coming back to the slope it turns out the water has gone even lower than we expected and Fred has to drag the dinghy right through a few metres of sludge, seaweed and garbage to get it into the water. I take the stairs just a little further on, after all, we don’t need both to get this dirty. Around 16:00 we leave and sail to the board of the river, where we are going to find Peter and his “Cool Jazz”. There is a nice wind and at last we can really sail. Bad luck, I miss my step and sprain my ankle. It gets really swollen and we put an icepack on it. This icepack gets cold, even in the fridge (so you don’t have to put it in a freezer) and it helps. I bandage my ankle and enjoy the sailing, despite the pain. Most of the sailing is now up to Fred, regrettably, I am not really flexible now. Peter called that he is somewhat belated, so we can sail back and forth. After Ria de Ferrol lies the “Ria de Betanzos” and we plan to drop anchor somewhere in that neighbourhood, near the town of Redes, where Peter often goes to. As soon as he comes in sight, we lower the sail and follow in his wash, on the engine. He knows the way by heart and we must follow him closely, since there are a lot of mussel beds here, which are not always well marked, so we pay attention! He also sails close to the coast, something we would not do if not necessary. On the left there is the town of Ares and in the next bay is Redes. Here are the well-known buoys with ropes you can pick up with the hook. We find a sort of green skippy ball, very soft, so that cannot hurt the boat. As soon as we are berthed, Peter comes aboard and we have a beer. I have my ankle put up, hoping it will be better in a few days.
To all sailors: follow our AIS tracks and you sail nicely past everything!
Saturday 11-06-2016
It’s a beautiful sunny and warm day today and I settle myself in the cockpit with a book and my crocheting. Fred and Peter sail - with Peter’s boat – to the village of Sada, that lies at the other side of the bay, to do some shopping for sailing-necessities. Again, Fred is going to try and find the cartridge for his lifejacket and maybe a second-hand dinghy, because the one we own now, is really on his last legs. It feels strange to be alone on board, well, not quite alone, Kit is here. But I quite enjoy myself and by the way, my ankle has to rest anyway. The weather is fine, it’s Saturday and more and more boats come in to the bay. I have a slice of fresh melon, while looking at a group of dolphins. I can live out my days like this! At the end of the afternoon, Fred and Peter are back, with no luck at purchases, alas. We’ll try in La Coruña.
We take the dinghy to the village, where we enjoy a glass of wine, together with Peter. (How could it be different?:)). We munch a few bowls with large shrimps, but it is not enough to satisfy. Peter has been coming here for years and years and knows the locals. For lunch we go to another restaurant, where we sit down at a table in a cool alley. In Spain you often get small ‘snacks’ with your drinks and this is also the case here, before we have a meal. Peter orders a local speciality, small croquettes, who certainly taste very well! I have a go at a plate with small ‘calamares’ (squid), that are very well prepared. The quantity is always more than enough in Spain. After lunch we stroll around the narrow streets of the village, with beautiful views on the bay, where the Pegasus lies. Fortunately, my ankle is getting a little better, though I have walk slowly. This is the good life!! Have a bite to eat, a drink, a stroll and bask in the sun (when it’s out, anyway).
Back on the boat, Fred helps Peter with a problem on is tablet pc. Peter goes back to Cedeira tomorrow morning. But he promises to buy us a nice round bread from the local baker. When it is cooling off, Kit comes out and suddenly starts running and jumping around like crazy. There is a little bird, like a tomtit, wanting to have a rest on our boat. Yeah, well, wrong boat, it turns out! Kit looks at it as prey or a toy, but luckily the bird escapes to Peter’s boat.
It is getting overcast again, dark clouds, but certainly not cold. Wait and see what tomorrow brings.
Sunday 12-06-2016
We sleep late and find out that Peter is already gone, but he kept his promise, there is a fresh bread on board.
Today is like a typically Dutch day, dark grey and a lot of rain. We stay snugly inside. Fred is at work and I rummage around. The forecast isn’t looking to good either and we plan to leave tomorrow.
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| | | 20-06-2016, reactie van Carel | Van al jullie verhalen krijg ik nostalgische herinneringen aan onze vele kampeerreizen: lekker slapen, boodschapje doen, glaasje, lekker eten, middagdutje, nog een glaasje (of wat) en dan naar bed. 's Anderendaags een stukje rijden en de dagorde weer hervatten!
Jammer van je verstuikte enkel, Caroline!
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