A Caruna

The night we arrived we walked into town - the main reason was that we had ran out of tobacco. The streets were alive with football fans. The local team had won and they were jubillant. Tables were booked in resruarants and they were having a great time.

The next morning some were still staggering about as we found a convenience store for some provisions. Spain is mainly closed on a Sunday - like Britain 30 years ago.

A Caruna and Northern Spain were not what I was expecting. The streets weren't  paved with Paella, no chickens roasting outside, no never ending Tapas. Had we come to the right country?

This was real Spain and not the tourist destinations of our Jollies. The locals were busy going about their business, earning a crust etc..  Outside of the marina not many people spoke English. Compared to France the average bodyweight was up a few stone probably something to do with the smell of deep fat frying that abound.

our autopilotwas on the blink again so we tried to phone the A Coruna Raymarine shop - number not connecting - took a bus to the other side of town to pay them a visit, didn't get off at the right stop due to the bus station not looking like a bus station. So we had an unplanned tour of the city and got off at the right stop next time around.

Asked a local for directions - down and out of the back of the building - Jobsworth wouldn't let us out where the buses came in - Alison has a bad knee - had to retrace steps and walk around.

   Went somewhere for lunch. Played it safe and pointed to a tasty looking picture in the window, not available till evening, got a burger that wasn't a burger. Eventually found th Raymarine shop. English spoken and very helpful but no parts in stock but could be ordered and our problem was probably the gearbox - Good advice I think.

     After a week of inclement weather the two German yachts we had crossed Biscay with were ready to leave on a good forecast so we tagged along.

At A Caruna we weren't best pleased with the boat being covered in coal dust and the strong smell of butane gas ( I thought we had a leak ) from unloading cargo ships upwind.

   If you visit marina Caruna ask for the free discount passport that covers other marinas in the chain but is not freely offered. Why?

'Mira' the yacht berthed next to us and heading north told us about Muros Marina around the coast that they were very impressed with.

    We rounded the Cote du Morte ( Coast of Death ) with no problems and fair seas. Spent the night at Camarinas and set off again early the next morning for Muros.