Sailing with a Vancouver 28

Coastal Walk

30/03/07 18:48 Filed in: Ria de La Coruña

Paralaia organise a variety of extra curricular functions for their students. Today we went on a guided walk along the eastern side of the Ria de La Coruña.

We caught a bus to the little seaside village of Mera. The weather was not kind. We had strong westerly winds with frequent heavy rain showers. I had taken literally the warning to bring rain gear and showed up with full yachting oilies. I didn't get wet, unlike some of my fellow walkers.

Our guide, two Italian girls and Dirk from Germany.

From Mera we walked around the Enseada de Mera and out to the visitor centre between the two lighthouses on Punta de Mera. These lighthouses are the two leading lights marking the western approach channel into the port of La Coruña.

We were given a talk on the unusual rock formations, birdlife, history of the lighthouse and the hazardous occupation of dangling from the cliffs in rope harness to collect shellfish from the rocks.

Then we walked along the northen side of Punta de Mera and around to Punta Do canabal where we saw some of the unusual rock formations and some spectacular views typical of this wild coast before returning to Mera and catching the bus back to La Coruña.

More photos from the walk here.

Galicia Tour Day 2 - Viveiro and Las Cathédrales

24/03/07 20:05 Filed in: Galicia

After breakfast we drove slowly along the coast taking back roads where possible and passing through several little fishing ports.

The main attraction of the day was the Playa de las Cathédrales. A spectacular site where the sea has cut a variety of caves, arches and assorted spectacular rock formations from the cliffs. As the tide goes out more of the beach becomes accessible and the site slowly reveals itself to the visitor.

Hugh and self at Playa de las Cathédrales.

Hugh at Playa de las Cathédrales with the biggest arch and the coast behind him.

We took a lot of photographs at Playa de las Cathédrales some of which are here.

After spending over three hours exploring we drove cross country via Mondedo and Villalba back to la Coruña where I had to return the car to the airport.

Galicia Tour Day 1- Ferrol, Cabo Prior, Cedeira and Viveiro- Nephew Hugh

23/03/07 20:03 Filed in: Galicia

Nephew Hugh slept in so we didn't get a very early start.

The plan was to drive around the coast stopping off at a few surf beaches and doing some sight seeing. We left La Coruña around 13:00 and drove around the easter end of Rias Betzanos, Ares and Ferrol.

Skirting the Ria near Ferrol.

Along the north shore of Ria Ferrol Hugh spotted this little house with a stream running down the hill at one side.

We turned off the main road and drove west towards Cabo Prior. On the way we passed Praia de San Xorxe, a well known surf beach, where H went fro a paddle and took some pictures.

Hugh at Praia de San Xorxe

The lighthouse at Cabo Prior, built in the same style as those I had seen earlier at Cabos Finisterre and Vilano, is no longer used. Unfortunately the site is looking a bit shabby with both it and the building needing some TLC. It is a real shame to see parts of this lovely coast spoiled by rubbish dumping and neglect.

Next stop was another redundant lighthouse at Cabo Frouxeira. This site appeared to include some deserted military facilities and was in a terrible state with lots of rubbish and a burnt out car on the slope below the lighthouse.

A few miles up the coast we skirted the Ria Cedeira and stopped for a while in the very pretty town of Cedeira.

We then drove inland along a very sceinic road. The open countryside here could easily be mistaken for Australia with the profusion of Eucalyptus trees. At the Ria Ortigueira we rejoined the coast which we followed to Viveiro where we checked into a hotel.

View from the Hotel looking out over the Ria de Viveiro.