Atlantic Spain and Portugal [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION Foreword Thousands of yachtsmen have cause to thank Oz Robinson, whose work led to Atlantic Spain and Portugal first being published in 1988. I have twice had it on board; the first time as a 'just in case pilot' as I sailed directly from Plymouth to Gibraltar and next in 1999 when I slowly cruised Galicia, sped past Portugal as far as Lagos under spinnaker, and then enjoyed the cruising and inshore delights of the Algarve and Andalucía. There is something for everyone along this varied 700 mile coastline, with opportunities for both gentle and demanding navigation, good food ashore and cultural high spots close inland. Galicia is excellent for a summer cruise or to explore at the start of a longer term voyage towards the Mediterranean or the Canaries and beyond. By the time a crew have reached Gibraltar they will have had ample opportunity to prove their preparedness and plenty of places to seek technical help if required. Anne Hammick revised the fourth edition and I am grateful to her for again revising the whole coast from Foz do Minho to Gibraltar. I was happy to take on Galicia. Although much of the original work has stood the test of time, these are complicated waters and much busier than 20 years ago. In this edition we have restructured the book, made full use of excellent aerial photographs by Patrick Roach, and introduced more plans and waypoints. These are both to aid description of the pilotage aspects and for use as the skipper so decides - attention is drawn to the appropriate caution. There has been much harbour development as one runs southwards from La Coruna, and Galicia in particular is seeing rapid change. Therefore, whilst we aim to issue updating supplements on the Imray website, we have also opened a photo library for this book at www.rccpf.org.uk. It currently includes additional photographs of harbours and anchorages in Galicia but our intention is to publish updating photographs sent in from yachtsmen on their travels. We expect that, in this age of digital cameras and easy communications, this will provide a more speedy updating opportunity in parallel with the official publications. Martin Walker Director RCC Pilotage Foundation March 2006 Acknowledgements Galicia This edition builds on the earlier work of Oz Robinson and Anne Hammick and I am grateful to her for passing on the Spanish Avisos and comments which she had received since the last edition was published in 2000. Notes were included from Mike Johnston, Jens and Ellen Barndorf, Ian and Judy Jenkins, JR Owen, Martin Farnworth, Pat and Pippa Purdy, Sally and John Milton, Kreale Talbot. All were valuable and I hope that fellow yachtsmen will continue to contribute in such a way. I recced the whole coastline from El Ferrol to La Guardia, in August 2005, revisiting old haunts and discovering new opportunities. Prior to departure I had studied the detailed aerial photographs taken by Patrick Roach in 2004 - many of which appear in this book. They were invaluable in indicating major changes and new harbours, although such is the continuing pace of development that some of his photographs have been marked to show what has been happening in the subsequent 12 months. Marina staff were all most friendly, helpful and keen to answer my queries. Also available to me were detailed notes made a few weeks before my visit by Roddy Innes as he cruised steadily south in his Rustler 36, Jessatny. He confirmed my memories of cruising the area, gave good tips on what was changing and who to talk to and provided a fund of photographs. He has been kind enough to let them be used both in this book and on the Pilotage Foundation website as additional material. I fear he and his crew spent much time visiting harbours obtaining information when a quiet anchorage may have been more appealing, but the book is the better for it. Restructuring a book of this nature would not have been possible without the enthusiastic advice and cooperation of Willie Wilson who, with the rest of the team at Imray, continues to play such a valuable role in bringing pilot books to the cruising world. I thank them for their support and patience. I hope those who use this book will enjoy Galicia, and onwards, as much as I did. Martin Walker RCC Pilotage Foundation March 2006 Portugal and Andalucía No book is ever a singlehanded effort, and acknowledgements generally centre on those people whose input has directly contributed to the contents of the volume in question. However, in this instance my primary thanks must go to my sister Liz. Had she not been willing to undertake far more than her share of the workload during a very difficult year of