Calm misty morning at Ria Vigo's Atlantic Islands . Great sunrise at 0800. Set sail southwards at 0930, heading for our first Portuguese town, Viana do Castelo , just over the border. Very little wind to start with, with several hours of motoring down the distant misty coast and dodging lobster pots. Joined by friendly dolphins at mid morning. A strengthening North Westerly sea breeze picks up rapidly in the late afternoon until eventually we are bowling along well preventered up, reefed down, and genoa part rolled. Once we round up into the bay we find the harbour entrance is wide and safe, and is bordered by a popular kite-surfing beach.
Quick radio call to marina. Pedestrian swing bridge across marina entrance is opened for us. Much shouting hollering and jeering from shore and alongside boats. More shouting back from bridge controller. Slanging match with us in the middle. Finally dawned on us that we had left Spanish flag up! Extraordinarily embarassing for this crack team to make such a gaffe. Very helpful and friendly harbour staff help us with fore aft pick-up mooring line bows-to type berth. Evening coffee and beers in little yacht club bar overlooking river and the impressive old 2 storey Eiffel designed road and rail bridge bridge. Chat to friendly French couple on their Jenneau 40
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