To the Islas Cies
15/06/07 15:07 Filed in: Ria de Vigo
As we were unable to anchor off the Islands the other day I decided to take a fast catamaran along with about 200 other day trippers.
The Islas Cies comprise three islands. Isla de Norte, Isla de Media and Isla de Sur the latter being a bird sanctuary where visits are not permitted. Islas de Norte and de Media are connected by an artificial causeway and a strip of beach with a lagoon in between.
The trip from Vigo to the somewhat rundown mole on Isla de Media takes about an hour. I was sitting near the stern and as we approached the quay the captain started sounding the horn repeatedly and stopped. From the stern I could not see why. A few minutes later as the catamaran crept alongside the problem was revealed.
A little French yacht had anchored very close to the mole, restricting the catamaran's approach, and the crew were ashore. My pilot book comments "Avoid anchoring too close to the mole, which is in constant use by ferries"
The black pole marks a very large rock.
The catamaran has berthed and its wake has swung the yacht around.
I found the incident rather funny. There was plenty of room nearby and it was such a silly place to anchor. Two hours later the yacht had moved.
There are two lighthouses on the south west corner of Isla de Media and the first two of four designated walking tracks lead to them. There were Herring Gulls all round the coast where they nest and the eggs were beginning to hatch. The gulls were generally tame but made a lot of noise if their nests were approached. This was often unavoidable as some nests were within inches of the path. If one went really close they took to the air and commenced shallow dive bombing runs.
Herring Gull
Bilingual Keep Off signs on the slope below the main lighthouse.
Gull with 2 Eggs and a Chick near the lower lighthouse
Lower lighthouse with the Ria and Vigo in the distance.
Gull Chick
Isla de Sur with Baiona beyond
Isla de Norte and the causeway to Isla de Media.
The Islands are similar to those further north in that they have a steep and dangerous west coast and a more gentle east coast with attractive beaches.
Looking south to the Isla Cies lighthouse.
Unusual rock formations. These holes in the rock are normally caused by the action of the sea moving small hard rocks against softer bedrock. These were at least 300ft above sea level.
The most aggressive bird on the island. This individual launched repeated low level attacks on self and scored one direct hit. A well padded hat was sufficient defence. I was on the path but never did see the nest.
A view through the gum trees to a lovely beath on Isla de Media. Australian gum trees are widespread in Galicia but are not liked by many locals. Due to drier conditions in their native Australia gums have very aggressive root systems and these crowd out competing species including trees native to Galicia.
The boat back.
The Islas Cies comprise three islands. Isla de Norte, Isla de Media and Isla de Sur the latter being a bird sanctuary where visits are not permitted. Islas de Norte and de Media are connected by an artificial causeway and a strip of beach with a lagoon in between.
The trip from Vigo to the somewhat rundown mole on Isla de Media takes about an hour. I was sitting near the stern and as we approached the quay the captain started sounding the horn repeatedly and stopped. From the stern I could not see why. A few minutes later as the catamaran crept alongside the problem was revealed.
A little French yacht had anchored very close to the mole, restricting the catamaran's approach, and the crew were ashore. My pilot book comments "Avoid anchoring too close to the mole, which is in constant use by ferries"
The black pole marks a very large rock.
The catamaran has berthed and its wake has swung the yacht around.
I found the incident rather funny. There was plenty of room nearby and it was such a silly place to anchor. Two hours later the yacht had moved.
There are two lighthouses on the south west corner of Isla de Media and the first two of four designated walking tracks lead to them. There were Herring Gulls all round the coast where they nest and the eggs were beginning to hatch. The gulls were generally tame but made a lot of noise if their nests were approached. This was often unavoidable as some nests were within inches of the path. If one went really close they took to the air and commenced shallow dive bombing runs.
Herring Gull
Bilingual Keep Off signs on the slope below the main lighthouse.
Gull with 2 Eggs and a Chick near the lower lighthouse
Lower lighthouse with the Ria and Vigo in the distance.
Gull Chick
Isla de Sur with Baiona beyond
Isla de Norte and the causeway to Isla de Media.
The Islands are similar to those further north in that they have a steep and dangerous west coast and a more gentle east coast with attractive beaches.
Looking south to the Isla Cies lighthouse.
Unusual rock formations. These holes in the rock are normally caused by the action of the sea moving small hard rocks against softer bedrock. These were at least 300ft above sea level.
The most aggressive bird on the island. This individual launched repeated low level attacks on self and scored one direct hit. A well padded hat was sufficient defence. I was on the path but never did see the nest.
A view through the gum trees to a lovely beath on Isla de Media. Australian gum trees are widespread in Galicia but are not liked by many locals. Due to drier conditions in their native Australia gums have very aggressive root systems and these crowd out competing species including trees native to Galicia.
The boat back.