Astraia Heads South

It was a perfect day for passage-making in the Atlantic when we finally left the lovely Rias Baixas in Spain and headed south towards Portugal – that is if you didn’t want to sail!!     It was calm when we left at dawn. There was no wind at all and just a bit of a swell in variable directions …  … but blue skies and sunshine all day so an easy passage and no complaints! Changing courtesy flags from Spanish to Portuguese. Viana do Castelo There are fewer safe harbours along the Portuguese coast than in Spain, but our first port of call was the delightful little town of Viana do Castelo.  We were curious about the big church on the top of the hill. We tied up at the Visitors’ Pontoon in the river and I set off on the 15-minute trek to the marina office to find it closed for lunch! Things happen in a different time-zone here although it’s not that far from the Spanish border – Portugal is an hour behind Spain and they seem to have lun...

Praia de Coroso, near Ribeira This is our first ‘port of call’ in the second big Ria – Arousa – with Rich, Ashley, Eleanor and George on board Beautiful long sandy beach, turquoise and azure colours of sea and sky.   Good way to keep George under control?! Rich, Els, George and I swam back to the boat – quite a distance and a challenge, but we did it! Hauled the anchor up to find it covered in bright green seaweed – looks just like lettuce, enough to feed us all week!  Here’s Rich clearing it with a boat hook. Illa de Salvora Illa de Salvora is within the Galicia National Park, together with the island groups of Ons and Cies.  Boats have to apply for a permit to anchor around the islands of the National Park, and you are only allowed 10 days per year in order to protect the ecosystem.  Approaching the anchorage at Salvora … … lovely morning, perfect blue skies Beautifully clear, clean water A bit of a breeze started ...