La Coruna

It only took us 30 hours to go 15nm, and despite being totally pissed off about that, grumpy, and tired, I stunk! Making a quick decision not to anchor out first, when we hit the dock I was off and running, shower bag in hand. 7 nights & 8 days, the kitty got a bath. I had grown a whole new coat of fur! Okay, too much info. Anyhow, getting a shower these days is a big event for me (us). Next up, the laundry mat, I was well, out of underwear. Laundry wasn't to be, as we needed Propane/Butane for the stove/grill/oven first. Yeah, we were out of that too!


Clean, but still a little off due to the state of the cloths, nothing some perfume couldn't handle, we were in a cab with the gas bottle in hand. "Oui", I mean "Ci", what language are we speaking again? Oh, Espanola - "claro"!


Anyhoo, we arrived just in time for siesta! Great, not really, as we were on the edge of town with no real options of anything to do. As we waited for the "big boss" to come back we waged our odds on getting the English UK Butane bottle actually filled, as we looked out on a sea of orange Propane ones. It wasn't looking good and after some "Spanglish" (discussion), the main man just gave us a whole new bottle. No contract, no payment, except for the propane gas of course. However, the gas cost us half what the taxi ride did! So 30 euros total, at least we could now cook (all the stuff that was in the freezer which thawed out from our "power issue").

La Coruna is a modern, very proud city of around 300,000 inhabitants. As it goes in most places we have been, town was just close enough, but still about a 15min walk away. That was of course, after walking the 5 - 10 minutes down the dock. Yeah, we were way out there.


After we had taken multiple showers, did all the wash, we thoroughly explored this seaside city. For a big place it sure had a very small feel. We ate tapas, did some shopping, and took just a few pics (to be posted later). As our main goal was to clean, rest, & fix a couple pressing problems, we spent the next couple of days doing deck work & procuring supplies. I, of course, went to the Super Mercado to procure some cheese - Meow! Brian shouted more fish, every time (and for almost every meal).

The marina was only 1 year old and very nice. Lots of people and boats coming in due to weather, and going out to beat anticipated storms. As well as meeting several other cruisers, we also met some locals. Bring on the salsa dancing (Irene says). Well, in the end Brian and I just couldn't hang. It was 1:30 am and we were sitting in a traditional Spanish bar, waiting til it was "late enough" to go to the club. What?!!! We had to beg off at 2 am. Am I getting old or .... I guess if I have to ask then it's a YES. Hmmm. Either way, the scene isn't happening until 2:30 am or so, and goes to about 6:30am (if you leave early) or 8:30am. Crazy, fun, but you have to be in the right mind frame.


Being winter and wet conditions, we were looking at our options to get south on a daily basis. Thirteen days later, 2 new batteries, and some bits & bobs, we were off. And, we were ready to go as we were all looking forward to the better weather one gets the more south you move.