Departure

 

We continued to be left in solitary splendour as no other boats came into harbour to share the moorings. We had put our shore lines on a slip so as to make it easy to leave in the morning. We decided to tow the dinghy as we would need it at Ribadeo where we intended to anchor. We slipped out of the harbour at 9.30 and into a very gentle westerly, within a few miles it had become more northerly and we were able to raise a bit of sail.

The swell was still evident and Dark Tarns  motion was unpleasant however the Genoa was doing a good job dampening the roll. We were joined by our first dolphin in ages and Lynnes face lit up as we think a pair played under the stern.

After 20 miles or so we came in sight of the headland at Tapia and we knew that the entrance to Ribadeo lay just beyond however it wasn't too obvious until the large bridge came into view. We followed the several sets of leading lines in accompanied by a fishing boat and the last set led us under the right hand span of the bridge towards the marina.

We continued up the Ria past the vessels moored at the fishing harbour and anchored alongside our friends in Suerte and Katy Dee in a little bay opposite a small park.

Both Dark Tarn andSuerte were dancing around their anchors as the wind and tide fought a bit of a battle to control us. Lynne and I went ashore after chatting with Peter and Lynda and admired the view across to the small village of Castropol.

That evening we watched Roger in Katy Dee attempt to cross to Castropol on a rising tide to seek a more sheltered spot to anchor given the forcast strong easterlies. They quickly ran aground and were forced to take the inshore channel to Figueras which is a little way down and opposite Ribadeo.

They found a suitable anchorage just past the wave breaker at Figueras another yacht which had joined us that afternoon, Cassis,  attemted to do the same as they were worried about the forcast and the depth of water. However they also went aground and in the gathering darkness retreated to the marina. Peter and I had already decided that this could wait until morning and as the wind died away to almost nothing we retired to a peaceful night and awoke to a still morning.

 Up early we moved to the marina as the next four days were promising strong winds. Lynne and I took advantage of a stay five nights for the price of four deal and proceeded to shower and laundry like there was no tommorow!

The wind began to build just as we thought from mid morning. But safe and sound we could begin to explore.