LEAVING BAIONA AND THE SPANISH RIAS, 25 July

We chose Saturday the 25th July for the departure date so as to be able to "sail" down the Atlantic coast of Iberia from Baiona. The weather forecast specified North Westerly winds of 15 to 20 Knots. A lot of the time during our travels in the Spanish Rias the weather has been lovely but there has been a desperate shortage of wind, so we have had to use the engine quite often which detracts from the enjoyment of sailing.

Unusually on the Friday evening before departure the sea state became quite rough in the bay of Baiona and we were ready to cancel our departure and stay another couple of days. Typically here the weather is erratic. High pressure from the Atlantic meets low pressure systems over the land causing different winds happening within a few miles. We have experienced huge variations between what is forecast and reality. On one occasion two French yachts were blown onto rocks because a strong unpredicted wind suddenly happened. When talking to wise local cruisers we were told that there are abnormalities inside some of the Rias whereby the mountains and sea "bend" the winds into completely different directions.

Anyway on Saturday morning the sea state had settled a bit so we decided to depart Baiona.

It was a good decision even though the swell was about two meters, and we arrived in Porto ten hours later. Average speed 6.5 knots.

Here are some more pictures of Baiona and area:

STAY IN BAIONA

Mixed feelings about Baiona. The area is absolutely spectacular. Situated right on the edge of the Atlantic there are mist (fog) clouds rolling in over the beaches and hills, the sun highlighting the roofs of the houses etc.. But the untidiness of the streets is disappointing. After all it's tourist traffic the council don't bother to clean the streets. This is odd because we saw that places like Muros further north clean their streets every morning with hoses and brushes. The number of locals on the streets in the evenings is amazing. They have their siesta from 14.00 until 19.00 hours, then all descend on the streets with kids and dogs to have drinks and tapas. We call this the land of "Siesta" and "Fiesta".!!

Here are some photos of Baiona:

CANGAS BACK TO ENSENADA DE BARRA THEN TO BAIONA, 19 JULY

After an eventful stay of "fiestas" shopping and general chores we returned to the bay of Barra ( Ensenada de barra) for a chill and beach time.

Unfortunately the weather had become cold and windy so we were compelled to leave the next day and cross the Ria to Enseada De Carriera.

Here again the weather was not ideal. Although we had shelter from the wind the sea swell was terrible. At 20.00 the same evening we up-anchored and rounded th headland into the bay of Baiona. Which was breathtakingly beautiful. A quiet nights sleep was welcomed.

ENSEADA DA BARRA TO CANGAS

A few days in the lovely bay of BARRA was enough (sun burnt!!), so we went further East to the port of CANGAS. Here we anchored off the harbour close to the beach and used the inflatable dinghy to visit the town. It was quite a nice town although a lot more dirty and untidy than the more touristic towns in the Rias further North (eg MUROS). We found a good laundrette and supermarket so did some of our chores.

After two days and witnessing a "fiesta" we returned to the ENSEADA da BARRA to swim in the clear water. Unfortunately the weather worsened so we left to find shelter in the Enseada de Carriera on the South shore of the Ria of Vigo ( wind was from the South). And then because the swell was too severe we motored round the corner and into the famous bay of BAIONA.

SANXENXO TO THE RIA OF VIGO, 10 JULY

The Ria of Vigo is the most Southern Ria on this part of the Spanish West coast. After this there is the bay of Baiona then the long Portugese Atlatic coast.

After leaving Sanxenxo we passed the wildlife reserve of Isla de Cies and tucked into the bay of Bara which gave shelter from the forecast Northely winds.

When we arrived the bay was deserted except for a twin mast yacht further along the vast beach... However.... The bay soon filled up with all kinds of yachts as the afternoon blended into the evening.

On the next morning we were quite surprised to see lots of people on the beach wearing next to nothing.. Later we found that this was an unofficial naturist beach.

Barra turned out to be the best swimming beach so far on our travels and with a beautiful backdrop of forest and mountains.

POBRE DO CARAMIMAL TO SANXENXO

Following a few days in Caraminal we sailed further South in settled weather to the next Ria of Pontevedra and anchored in the lovely and very lively bay of Sanxenxo.

MUROS TO POBRE DO CARAMINAL, 2nd July

Casual departure from MUROS and headed due South. Destination next RIA to the South.!

Arrived in the port of CARAMINAL at 16.00. Anchored in 6 meters just off the town.