30th September

I planned to spend a few days in Gijon. The boat needs a good clean and some jobs need attending to.

Dave is returning to the UK and rushes off early to catch his coach to Bilbao. I start the cleaning and then visit the tourist office for some maps. They are very helpful their information suggests that there is a bit more to Gijon than indicated in the pilot book.

Dagoll Dagom are in Gijon for a performance of the Catalan Mikado with Gijon Symphony. Around lunchtime I walk to the town centre to buy a ticket. With all the Teatro Jovellanos doors locked, access to the box office was not immediately obvious. This was probably because there is no access. One buys tickets via a little hole in the wall away to the side of the main entrance. The ticket lady sits in her little office and conducts business via the hole. There is no signage indicating this.

After purchasing my ticket I have lunch at the cafe accross the plaza. Very nice very reasonable and served in gargantuan helpings.

Back at the boat I meet Tony & Gill from "Nimbus" who have just arrived. They are empty nesters sailing their lovely live aboard yacht to Greece. I remember seeing their boat at Dartside Quay being painted earlier in the year.

"Nimbus" - Outward bound Gijon fairway buoy


Being in Spain a late afternoon siesta seemed appropriate, after which I tried again to have a hot shower. Again, I failed. The marina staff say the showers are hot but the best I can manage is not cold. Never mind, It's still pretty warm here.

Off to Teatro Jovellanos where I make my way to my seat. The rows and seats are both numbered. I find myself sitting in someone else's seat though we both have tickets with the same number. Some letters next to my number indicate that I am on the wrong level. No problem. A quick dash uipstairs and it's showtime.

A very flamboyant and strikingly visual performance follows. I don't understand a word of it but I'm well entertained by the music and spectacle.

1st October

Tony and Gill set off early and very kindly donate their surplus to requirements tender bag to replace the completely useless bag supplied by Suzuki with my Suzumar tender. Thanks Tony & Gill. I take some photos of "Nimbus" leaving the harbour to e-mail on to them.

For the rest of the day I continue with boat cleaning and give my tender a good scrub down to remove mould which has accumulated since May. The tender has only been deployed once and that was a few days ago arty L'Aber Wrac'h.

A fairly slow day finished off by catching up with e-mails.

Dramatic breaking seas on the outer wall of Gijon marina.


Jos & Pertii during an evening ashore.