Goodbye to Spain

And so we leave Spain bound for Portugal. This country has a refined culture based upon its rich history and people who are friendly and relaxed, yet efficient.

The north coast of Galicia is beautiful with the Rias Altas surrounded by high hills with their slopes covered with pine and eucalyptus reaching down to the water’s edge. The west coast is more populated with great cities such as A Coruna, Villagarcia and Vigo. Consequently the Rias Bajas on which these cities lie, south of the Ria Muros, have significant development along their shores and are thus less interesting.

We have passed two significant landmarks in our journey or, should I say one seamark, the Bay of Biscay, and one landmark, the Cape of Finisterre. The legend that the weather patterns change for the better south of Finisterre appear to be founded in fact.

A word or two about Baiona where we have spent our last few days in Spain. It is a delightful town with a wealth of history. Perhaps most notable is the fact that it was the port of arrival for the Caravel ‘Pinta’ in 1493 after accompanying Columbus in the ‘Santa Maria’ in the discovery of the Americas. The Spanish have it that Pinzon, the Master of the Pinta, discovered America rather than Columbus who was Italian!

During our stay in Baiona we have visited the ‘Virgin of the Roca’, walked the castle ramparts and the narrow streets of the old town and have taken lunch at the Monterreal Yacht Club of Baiona, an institution known by all sailors who pass this way.

Those of you who listen to BBC Radio Solent early in the morning will have heard Miggy on the Julian Clegg show on the 3rd July. Her next scheduled broadcast is at 0630 or so on 26th July.