The Spanish Adventure

Thursday 28th May

We are so pleased to have come straight over to Spain. It is lovely to be in sunshine and La Coruna is a great city to spend a little bit of time.

Very picturesque and funnily enough great bars and restaurants. The only problem is getting into Spanish time so lunch at 15.00 and don't even think of dinner until after 21.00. Lots of lovely fish in the market and quite a few we don't recognise but lovely and fresh and very good value.

Lots of shell fish so we are going to be braver and cook clams and razor clams.

We had a lovely 40 mile sail from Cedeira into La Coruna with the wind behind and the sun shining. Up to 30 knots of wind so a reef in the main and the staysail which seemed to work well. Alex still very excited by the amount of energy we produced whilst at anchor and we left with fully charged batteries.

Had a few conversations with the Captain of a very large container ship heading to Ferrol the large commercial port opposite La Coruna. After a couple of course changes we managed to miss each other and he very politely radioed us to say thank you. Lovely to return to the La Coruna marina after 5 years. We kept our last boat a Bavaria 36 here for a winter 5 years ago and nothing seems to have changed. The rather lovely young lady in the marina office remembered the name Pantalaimon and the young Irish chap is still here who also remembered so we feel very at home and most welcomed. The marina is pretty empty with a couple of Brits, Swedes, French and German boats. Got a pretty good deal on berthing fees as we are staying a couple of weeks and flying home for a week on Wednesday.The best thing is it's warm and sunny.

Friday 29th May

Cleaning,tidying,washing and shopping today. Started the teak cleaning as its time to make Pantie's beautiful. We left in such a rush that lots of little jobs didn't quite get done so it's lovely to have some time here to get a little more ship shape. Somehow all these jobs are so much more pleasant to do in the sunshine. Had a lovely trip to the market and have some enormous langoustines and John Dory for supper as are ward for all our hard labours. Quite enjoying the Albariño white wine too.

Saturday 30th May

Time for a run. Off we trot all along the beautiful promenade in the sunshine. Fantastic cycle track and loads of people walking, jogging, running and cycling with a superb view of the bay. On the way back we detour around the back of the lighthouse, the Tour d'Hercules. Back for lunch and chores then showers. We are going to have Saturday night out on the town! A lovely stroll in and exploration discovering pretty little squares and the odd bar for a glass of Albariño. Time for tapas so we have already spotted a Pulperia with octopi arranged very attractive in large glass vases! Calamares to start then potatoe and octopus with paprika all washed down with some red. Yum yum. Living on sea food at the moment.

Here are the clam fishermen in action.

Sunday 31st May

Tapas out is not enough for us we've decided to do Sunday lunch and are booked into the very smart Marina restaurant for 15.00. Before that we'd better have another run to work up an appetite so off we go again. Not quite so sunny today so ran a bit faster and enjoyed the slightly cooler temperature. Smartened up for lunch, I even put a frock on and Alex a smart shirt and jacket. We shared a plate of clams ' Marinera' in a delicious fragrant light tomato sauce then Alex had a very nice steak and I had marinated pork with onions. Both very delicious and we'd better have pud too, tiramisu and cheesecake. Stagger back to the boat for Scrabble and bed.

Monday 1st June

Better get a few more jobs done today. Another trip to the shops. Very good supermarket and we are going to do hake casserole tonight. Alex made some lovely fish stock with the shells of the langoustines and the bones of the John Dory and we are going to add onion, potatoe,garlic and fresh peas plus paprika. How Spanish is that? Back to the boat with the supplies then off to the chandlers which is a good walk along the lovely sea front which is nearly all pedestrianised plus cycle path. We've noticed some cruise ships coming in which I'm sure weren't here before and looking at the numbers disgorged must be bringing some wealth into the city which is looking reasonably affluent. Although there are a few beggars around which again I don't remember seeing previously.

Took a couple of pics of the hospital here which looks a little more attractive than Derriford.

The trip to the chandlers wasn't a great success as we were served from a counter and had to try and explain in Spanish our various requirements. Never mind we'll collect what we need when we go home. A bit more teak cleaning and jobs in the afternoon and our delicious Spanish hake supper. We've decided to go to Santiago de Compostello tomorrow for a bit of an outing.

Tuesday 2nd June

Up early for our day trip out. A brisk 45 min walk to the station then 2 very cheap return tickets to Santiago. Only 30 min train journey. A remarkable city almost completely devoid of modernisation. Very narrow streets with arched covered walkways and all beautifully kept. You can truly imagine the pilgrims and devout wandering through these very same streets centuries ago. After a coffee and tortilla we obtained a map and information from the tourist centre and hot footed to the cathedral. Very atmospheric and impressive sculptures, chapels and amazing altar. Had a lovely wander around with a recorded guide and the went to kiss and embrace St James then down to the crypt to see the holy remains. Just as we were thinking of leaving a small mass was performed with the chanting led by a nun with a remarkable voice. Quite spine tingling even for an atheist!

We then followed the map around the main historic buildings popping in to the odd church or two and enjoying the busy market. All absolutely beautiful, clean and so well preserved. Must be time for lunch and that means more seafood. Stopped at a very typical Spanish family run restaurant and manged more clams Marinera,razor clams, sardines and Albariño. A wander through the park then time to catch the train home to Panties. A very enjoyable day out. Tomorrow we are flying home for a week to catch up with children and collect a few more bits and pieces. Back next Wednesday!

Pics of Santiago to follow!

 

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