ARC Portugal - Keeping on cruising
by World Cruising Club 5 Aug 2021 19:54 NZST
ARC Portugal - Bayona - FromParador © World Cruising Club
And they're off again, sailing down to their first stop in Portugal after what could be described as perfect stopover in Baiona, Spain. The programme started with a crew dinner at El Túnel restaurant, a great way to gather the fleet together and share their thoughts on the Biscay crossing and get to know each other better.
During the weekend, they crews went to visit the Galician capital, Santiago de Compostela, famously known as km0 at the end of route for the pilgrims that each year hike from different parts of Europe to here. Crews enjoyed a guided tour around the historic old town, full of religious architecture, with its churches and the main cathedral, and found a perfect place for a different lunch out of Baiona. Santiago is a very old city, but its well known for its great gastronomic options, were many bars and restaurants merge with the old buildings creating a superb atmosphere of traditional Galicia.
The next day, the weather showed why Galicia is so green. The fast changes in the climate made Sunday a rainy day which covered Baiona of a grey sky. However, that wouldn't stop us from having our crew supper and prize-giving of leg 1. Crews were delighted with the menu that the Parador prepared for the fleet, but the breath-taking factor was the scenic views of the parador itself. The evening cleared to make the dinner even more special and they could manage to spot the Cies Islands during the sunset.
Gertha V managed to get a prize for being 1st on corrected time, followed by a prize for Pure Elegance on Line Honours. We also gave awards to the rest of the crews; because crossing Biscay is the real prize and we always look for a reason to celebrate in the rally. Dave from Ithaka, got a traditional Galician Santiago cake as it was his birthday during the crossing.
The boats are now enjoying their first sail into Portugal, with Gertha V leading the way. Two boats will remain in Baiona for a day or two to solve some technical issues and they'll join the group in the next leg.
A big thank you to Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona for having in this magnificent club another year.