North to Galicia.

The south wind came and blasted us up past the Ilhas Berlengas, off which we were thoroughly drenched and blew out the working jib. We went into Nazare for a night's rest and a bit of a dry out, where the marina very kindly declined to charge me 'just for a night's rest', almost unprecedented these days I should think!
Off again in the morning with a fine breeze and a clearing sky, the Anna M in her glory tramping along with deep reefed mainsail and storm jib.

Waves by Joe

Gannet by Abe

There were plenty of gannets playing over the waves, but mostly on their own, which is unusual. One feels their quiet exaltation, and indeed very privileged to share in it in our inadequate way! Still it was good to gain quiet water again, and a good night's rest in Bayona, which we left in company with the Ros Alither. 

Ros Alither in the Ria de Vigo.

She had spent the winter in the Canaries, after we met her in the Guadiana last October, and had carried the south-west wind most of the way up. I wonder does this often happen in May? Never had such a passage north before myself, but I wasn't particularly expecting or looking out for such an opportunity before.

We landed into the Marina Davila at the entrance to Bouzas harbour, right beside Vigo. Big activity going on, with a bank holiday coming next week and the weather forecast to improve; the manager spluttered when I said I wanted to haul out and careen before the end of the week. 'But I have a queue of boats for the lift and the washer is broken right now.' 'That's fine, we'll clean her by hand - better for an old wooden boat anyway!' So we jumped the queue, and very glad I was of Abe's help. There was a mighty crop of barnacles on her, worse than last year for some reason.

The guy that worked the lift was spectacular, and altogether the staff were great, very friendly, competent and out-going. I thought Bouzas would be a practical kind of place and I wasn't disappointed, and delighted with the excellent menu del dia up in the town too; a good three course meal plus wine for eur8. There is an excellent chandlery there too. The marina even provide bikes for one to whistle up past the docks. 

Bouzas and the Marina Davila, right centre. 

Anna M tied up astern of the big 3 master.

We were back in the water on Friday, job done in spite of some rain, and the best of it is that this time I really have slowed down the leaks, mainly because of sealing a beastly anode that is very hard to get to see from the inside. So today being Saturday went to have a peak round Vigo. It's a bit run down, its days as Spain's gateway to North America long gone and the fishing depressed, but there are signs of vitality too; trying to buck up the pleasant old town for instance.

Where Vigo began.

I've left Abe there; he's gone to see if he can share Barcelona's glory in winning the League!

Abe in front of the Castle.