March 27th we had a four hour sail, in good winds, to arrive mid afternoon. We were on anchor by 1600hrs and thirty minutes later the maritime police came over to review our documentation and passports. We have been challenged by one or more of the three officials in almost every Spanish port we have visited.
The town of Muros is an old harbour town whose traditional economy is based on fishing. A quaint town with church bells ringing regularly. In the parish of Louro there are petroglyphs, as well as the Via Crucis, the monastery of San Francisco, and about 20 beaches.
It is a very well sheltered anchorage. We were the only boat out there.
So this is the Muros greeting party. NOT - Customs officials in their blue boat and uniforms. There are several other agencies in Spain being the GNR - Guardia Nacional Republicana (National Guard) and the port police oh and then there is the Guardia Civil. We were initially checked out by the Agency Tributaria in Bilbao as they provided us with a blue customs form and told us that we did not need to be checked out again and if a blue uniform comes over just show them the form and they will leave you alone. So when these chaps came a calling I showed them the blue form. There seemed to be a good debate back in their wheel house but in the end they wanted all our paperwork and visas. So now we have two blue forms from Customs.
First night in Muros.
The next day we loaded up the bikes onto Smug Druggler and headed to town. We were able to tie up on the fisherman's wharf.
Town square.
Capela da Nosa Señora do Carmo
TIDE MILL - This is a remarkable mill because of its own singularity and state for preservation. The water coming from the high tide was stored in its long dock, when the sea level decreased the gates that let the water reach the millstone were opened. Designs date from 1815 and there is some information about the mill being in operation in the 1830s knows as "Muino de Bazarra". At the beginning of the XX century it kept grinding and was also used as a seaweed and sea water bathhouse.
Sanctuary of Virze do Camino. This Maritime-Gothic sanctuary dates from the 15th century, even if the remains of an older Romanesque chapel have been found in the same place. The nave, with four aisles is composed by three pointed arches that support a wooden ceiling and are resting on buttresses. At the back we find the main altar which has ribbed vaults that protect the Virgin of the Way (Virxe do Camino). This avocation is specially venerated by seafarers, sailors or merchants who commend their trips and success to the protection of this Virgin.
Big lemons on the tree
Here is the church bells that we have been hearing.
Listening to the church bells in the evening was pretty cool.
Commentaires