Well having survived a low tide of 1.7 metres overnight ( 20 cms clearance ) as soon as the rain stopped it was time to blow up the dinghy and explore ashore. We are anchored off a beach, the Playa El Tostadero and it turns out there is a small mini supermarkado hidden among the cafes and restaurants ashore.
So suitably resupplied with fresh milk and bread I headed back to Dark Tarn with my booty.
After brunch Lynne and I went ashore for a more thorough investigation as we awaited the next low water. We again floated with a few centimetres to spare. I seem to remember that we need to have 1.2mts on the echo sounder before we actually touch, I think I programmed a .5 mt safety / panic margin into the sounder so I was happy then having seen the boat in daylight to explore the town a bit. This involved us crossing the bridge where we spotted another good anchorage pool, however it meant negotiating a small sandbank to get to it so we decided to stay where we were.
The town seems full of restaurants and cafes at which loads of people were eating variations on Paella, some had whole crabs and razor fish in amongst the rice. We climbed up heading for the obligatory 13 th century church.
This occupies a high position on the rocky ridge above the town which it shares with the Castillo Del Ray. A very well preserved ancient fortress.
The Iglesia de nuestra señora de los Ángeles turned out to be open to the public.
We paíd a few euros to see inside, it was very grand with separate altarpieces devoted to different saints and a superb vaulted ceiling.
At first I couldn't figure out what was strange about this rather impressive building then it dawned on me how dark and shadowy it was. The very few windows were tiny and high up, almost no stained glass at alI, I really dont know why, maybe as a defence structure but it certainly was odd and I wondered how they lit it in Olden times......
Without the electric up lights it would have been very gloomy indeed. The fantastic altarpieces were very impressive however. They are well over 50 ft high and smothered in gold gilt. The carving I'd guess is original 14 th century and very fine.
We walked along to the castle which was closed, so that would have to wait for another day. However the views up the river valley from the church were lovely, and would have been even more pretty if the Picos de Europa mountains in the distance hadn't been in cloud.
We are still very much on the pilgrims trail and the shells and signs of St James are to be found everywhere. By the church is also one of the many hostels for pilgrims.
Doesn't look much but a glimpse inside revealed it was quite comfortable!
The views back down toward the town were equally nice.
There is a walk around the old town walls that we are keen to do when we visit the castle.
After a quick supermarket sweep and visit to the very useful tourist information we walked back over the 32 arches of the Puente de la Maza to the beach and had a last wine and beer in the surf bar overlooking the beach and DTs anchorage.
Back to the boat for tea and a plan to walk around the headland and finish the evening in the same spot as above.
No comments:
Post a Comment