Decisions

We have been pondering where to spend the Winter. Lynne is sold on staying in the Galician Rias. The uncertain future of an extended stay in Spain under Brexit is a factor as is the commitment of another Atlantic crossing. The prospect of staying and sailing in this fabulous cruising area, spending some time exploring inland which we have barely touched, as well as acquiring a navigation licence for the islands that make up the Atlantic National Park, all weigh heavily in favour of grabbing the opportunity now. The ability to fly home and spend time with family at Christmas is also to be considered, my father is celebrating his 90th birthday next April. We had pretty much decided, and Cangas was looking as though it would tick all our boxes.

We were lying on our favourite beach discussing these issues when our friends Jim and Megan on Magnet came in sight. I called them up on a handheld VHF ( they had texted us about their arrival the day before ) and arranged to meet up for a beer at a beach bar, they would anchor off the beach. They also were seeking a winter berth somewhere in Ria Vigo.

Magnet anchored just off the main beach at Praia Rodeira, she is centre in the above photo..

Suitably clothed we walked down the boardwalk and waited with a beer for Jim and Megan in the comfy seating area. The discussion that followed was basically a continuation of The discussion that Lynne and I had just had. Flights home, prevailing winds, how long could we sail in the Rias, how windy would the winter months be and how cold. Unfortunately Magnet was too big to fit in Cangas, being 15 metres overall so Jim and Megan decided to take bicycles over to Vigo on the ferry and look at the marinas on that side of the Ria.

Lynne and I were also doing some research, we decided to walk to the nearest LYDL supermarket, ( we rely on LYDL for decent meat) but rather than follow the road we walked along the coast beyond our favourite beach. We discovered a series of deserted beaches.

All accessible by foot or dinghy and with the added prospect of some good snorkelling.

The path leading up to the main road is hidden in the trees to the right hand end of the beach in the above photo.

We walked back along the main road very pleased with our discoveries. Stopping at the main beach again for a coffee.

Life was proving to be very hard, we still had the noisy festival to deal with so on the basis that if you can't beat em join em we stayed out and watched a couple of local bands. Helped by our Galician agenda we decided to try and watch an orchestra in the main Park de Palma. This turned out to be a great decision. The orchestra was called Son de Seu and were from Vigo. They consisted of about 40 individuals playing 4 harps, 7 Hurdey gurdeys ( barrel organs ) various violins cellos, a marvellous percussion section, bagpipes of course and a wonderful vocal section. It was a sound unlike anything I have ever heard before. At one point two of the girls singing were playing paella pans, wonderful! The whole orchestra seemed to having a wonderful time and the infectious Galician rhythms were making it impossible to stay still.

The front rows of the audience were soon dancing and one of the bagpipe players was conducting the audience in synchronised clapping. It was a brilliant evening and I wasted no time in downloading one of their records later! There are several performances on YouTube that you can watch to get a flavour of the music.

 

Lynne also got to browse some clothes shops ( we must have got up too early! ) a favourite was a little hippy shop tucked away down a side street in the old town.

We also came across a whole bunch of brides complete with wedding dresses on the beach. We were told they were shooting an item for local TV, but what that may have been we never found out. I suspect it may have had something to do with a domestic violence campaign that was current but it could have just been wedding dresses!

I was a little disappointed occasionally when I thought of the Caribean, but to be honest it sometimes felt that we had it right here.......

It was certainly too good to hurry by............