We had a good night sleep last night. But the first time on anchor with the 2 of us feels a bit uneasy or so. So I asked Robbert a few times if the anchor alarm on his phone was turned on to be sure that if the anchor would grab there was a warning. You must have a sort of unconditional trust in your iPhone to sleep well nowadays haha! Anyway we slept good and that moment when you wake up and the sun is out …. I think that is the best beginning of the day. It just gives you a smile on your face! Today we would go further down south again. Sailing to the next Ria, Ria de Pontevedra. So I started making a fresh bread! Fresh bread is one of our favourites! Especially with tasty oil and balsamic and Italian parmigiani cheese! Just for lunch! When sailing to Pontevedra you pass the National park Islas Atlánticas de Galicia also called The Cíes Islands. It comprises the archipelagos from North to South of Sálvora, Ons, Cien and Cortegada. They say these Islands have the most beautiful beaches of Spain. So let’s check that out! Well there are a lot of beaches! Even a nudist beach at Isla de Ons.! But in summertime the islands, the beaches, the restaurants, the hotels, the campings even the rocks haha! everything is crowded everywhere! We do not like that. So we stayed comfortably on board EIGHT and passed the Islands direction South. Maybe its better to visit the Islands in September or May when not so crowded because I am sure that the Islands have a lot to offer. Nature seems incredible and different from mainland Spain. For complete information follow this link.    https://www.mardeons.es/en/travel/The beach

We continued sailing into the Ria. Entering this Ria you have a very wide view. The coast with the rocks on both sides when entering and the view of the villages in front of you. Lovely! Robbert already choose a spot to anchor, not to far away from the marina. Caneliñas is an area located in the center of Portonovo. This is what they call an “urban beach”. Again crowded with people! Like all the beaches in Spain! It looks like Spanish people go to the beach always?! Caneliñas is a small beach about 150 meters width, with crystal clear water and fine white sand. A nice anchorage in front of the beach overlooking the Ria and the sunset. Very close to the Marina of Portenovo. A good and safe Marina. If your looking for shelter I can recommend this Marina. Closely there is one these ‘urban beaches’. Supermarkets are close so everything is available here. Once on anchor wanted to change the mail halyard for a new one. This meant going up in the mast. I am always a bit scared or so when I have to tow my own into the mast …. you never know what happens. So I really have to concentrate with what I am doing. For me it’s not like a routine thing. And Robbert is also a bit scared I guess so when this job is finished we are very happy. And that deserves …. ??!!
Today is our next first-time-experience … the ‘leave your boat’ trip .. OMG … we took Nine out to town. And ourselves as well. Guess what: a Spanish Fiesta going on! (That’s also something, Fiesta’s all over everywhere and always!) So where to park our ‘new’ car?  It seems not very easy, without having the idea that everyone can use it … or the harbour master sending you away .. we ended up drinking in the local Yachtclub and having an eye on Nine. Whit the sun still visible we went back. And yezzzzz, EIGHT was still there! We had a nice dinner, spectacular views, a few wines and went for a sleep. 2nd day on anchor with the 2 of us!

Ria de Pontevedra
The entrance to the Pontevedra estuary opens between Punta de Cabicastro and Cabo de Udra, which are 2.6 miles apart in an approximately N-S direction. The estuary penetrates 7 miles inland in a NE direction to the mouth of the river Lérez, which flows from Pontevedra to the mouth. The lands on both shores are high, with wide valleys between them. Although, as with the other “low” estuaries, it opens to the W, the islands of Ons and Onza, which are part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, act as a natural barricade against the storms from the third and fourth quadrants to block incoming waves. Unlike the Arousa estuary, the coasts here are much clearer and there are noticeably fewer mussel platforms, which makes sailing much safer.

Just after passing Punta de Cabicastro, you will find Canelas beach, an excellent anchorage, as well as Montalvo beach, just before the same point. If you continue sailing along the N coast of the estuary, you will soon find the Portonovo marina, which, in addition to an excellent anchorage, has moorings for vessels in transit up to 14 m long. Less than half a mile away is Nauta Sanxenxo, equipped with excellent facilities capable of taking in vessels up to 44 m long; between the two of them is another excellent anchorage at Silgar beach.

In addition to these two marinas, the Pontevedra estuary has another three: Club Naval de Pontevedra, R.C. de Mar de Aguete and Beluso marina. The latter does not offer services for vessels in transit. The first is located at the end of the estuary and it is reached by sailing a few hundred metres up the river Lérez itself, which has been dredged and marked for sailing by vessels that do not exceed a draught of two metres nor a maximum height of 12 m (the latter limitation is due to the channel going under A Ponte da Barca bridge). The advantage is that it is located in the heart of the city of Pontevedra, which you can visit on foot from the port itself. R.C.M. de Aguete is located on the S coast of the estuary, very close to the beaches of Loira, Aguete, Mogor and Portocelo, which are appropriate for anchoring.

I think this Ria seems a bit under under-rated. For us personally, in general, looking at the Rias from sea level, they all look a bit the same. One Ria is more rocky than the other but they all have beautiful landscapes, beaches, nice food, wines, villages, lots of trials for walking.  And even Ria has their own specialities but the views are quite the same eveywhere. For us after having sailing 3 Rias we were ready to move on.