42°24.9'N 008°42.3 W Wednesday 19th August

Combarro, Ria de Pontevedra

Last Saturday, we didn't leave as planned, but found a lovely little cove with nice little beach, good snorkelling and shore-side walks. Think we were peopled out and wanted some peace and quiet. So spent a couple of days tucked in behind the Isla Ratas, still in the Ria de Arousa.

Monday, 17th we set off for Piedras Negras (Black Rocks), stopped in the bay there for a swim and lunch, then tried to get into the marina - needed water, etc. No good, all full, so we carried on round into the Ria de Pontevedra stopping at the first marina we came to in Portonovo. A big mistake! If you can think of the worst combination of Blackpool and Weston-super-Mare and then double it but with heat, that was Portonovo. There were beach stalls selling tourist tacky trinkets and fairground rides and noise. There was also a concert on that night, heralded by 10 minutes worth of Bombas, they just kept coming - absolutely deafening - see pic. Suffice it to say that we had a grandstand berth for the concert that went on until 5am. So much for a quiet night and not as if the music could be put into the "great" category (or even reasonably likeable)!

So Tuesday hid behind the Isla Tambo (a military restricted area) and today came to Combarro. This is a tiny restored little village, part fishing and part agricultural with masses of horreos and cruceiros - these are large stone crosses, on one side of which facing inland is the crucifixion and the other side facing seaward is the Virgin Mary. This is all very religious until you also find many depictions of witches and goblins and the like, so much steeped in folklore.

Weather is supposed to be less kind tomorrow, so planning on a visit to Pontevedra itself, apparently a beautiful medieval town, smaller than, but as impressive in its own way as Santiago. Whether we get up the energy to cycle or go for the bus option, we shall see.

Met a Canadian couple on a 53 footer who took a taxi. Interesting people, they have spent the last 10 years cruising northern Europe, from Russia and the Baltic to here and now are heading south to explore the Med areas too. Going to Seville for the winter, they are going to check out that as a possibility for leaving our boat for us. Half the fun of this is the people you meet. Another couple also going south, but instead of turning left into the Med, they are turning right at the bottom to cross the Atlantic. There are some very extraordinary people out there - or rather they seem very ordinary people doing extraordinary things! Maybe there's hope for us yet....

ps looks wet for tomorrow