Bayona

Fort Monte Real at Bayona

Saturday 21st July We had gentle winds and calm seas for the eight hour sail from Portosin to Bayona in the Ria de Vigo. Dolphins swam alongside the boat at three different points during the journey and were larger than the ones we had seen in Biscay.

Mooring at Bayona wasn’t as straightforward as we had hoped. We had booked a berth at the rather swish (and pricey) Monte Real Yacht Club, but when we arrived they told us as they were full and we would have to moor on the outer hammerhead right next to where the boats enter the main harbour. After five minutes bouncing around in the wash from other boats we decided to go to the second marina, Puerto Deportivo.

We called  Puerto Deportivo to check they had space and my enquiry as to whether they spoke English was met with a brisk ‘No’ and they they hung up before I could continue in my faltering Spanish! We could see spaces on their main pontoon so decided to moor there anyway and then book in. All was fine, and as we ate dinner in the cockpit we congratulated ourselves on our cut price mooring with a splendid view.

What we didn’t know was that the end of our pontoon was used by boats doing private trips, and that there was a trip to due leave at 5am the next morning! At 4am we were woken by the rumble of trolleys transporting the food and drink to the boat, and at 4.30am we were woken again by the 60 guests, who had obviously being partying all night and were chatting loudly as they passed.

The marinas from the fort

Looking out towards the islands off Bayona

Sunday 22nd July Despite the faltering start, we love Bayona. Today we walked out round the 16^th century Monte Real fort on the headland. Later we lunched on mussels and octopus in the old town next to a 17th century convent  and then looked at the memorials to Christopher Columbus’ trip to the Americas, which ended at Bayona.

Monument to the meeting of two worlds, by Magin Picallo

Tuesday 24th July. Yesterday we left the marina and anchored off the beach for a day of swimming and sunbathing. We had planned to leave this morning, but when we woke we were surrounded by fog which didn’t clear until midday  - we will try again tomorrow.