Soooo ... Galicia it is again 👍😊

[Bolti]

Can I ask what site you are using for your Aires.

 

[DBK]

Best wishes for the trip. It's my favourite part of Spain - given good weather, which you should get.

 

[windboy]

Search 4sites or park 4 night

 

[scotzsue]

We spent some time in Galicia this year, beautiful area.

 

[jumartoo]

Can I ask what site you are using for your Aires.

I'm using Park4Night but reading the reviews carefully

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[jumartoo]

It got chilly in the early hours of this morning, we had to pull some covers over us! We left before breakfast, but after a cuppa! and drove all morning in sensible temperatures. We stopped at the big parking area at Pedrafita do Cebreiro for a home made breakfast (an enforced detour because the motorway was closed for works). The breadshop didn't open until 10.00 am! So no croissants today. Our favourite parking will have to wait for another time.

We got to the coast, illegally, as we eventually worked out (maybe) because fog on the motorway, and an overhead sign, meant take a different route. It wasn't signed any further so we came off when advised and back on again later, following a lorry and a car. It seems we should have stayed off ... so why did the have another sign and lit marker posts advising the distance to keep between vehicles? Confused? We were.

Keep two signs between you and vehicle in front (even if you shouldnt be there???).

Anyway we safely arrived at our overnight for the next two nights. We're here.

We had a visit from two local youngsters from whom we learnt their family life story in 15 minutes. They were lovely, especially when they said Martin looked "mas joven" than his 70 years .

He sorted the saddle bag out for the 11 year old (12 on 24 August) kid.

We've had a stroll and I've got a few (easy) bike rides lined up for the next few days.

Foz (party town) across the water. Check out the row of motorhomes!!!

The weather? Overcast and a lovely 23° slowly clearing, but the temperature not rising.

 

[jumartoo]

We're still at the same parking. We've heard the "music" from the fiesta across the water at Foz but it didn't keep us awake. Yesterday we had a bike ride. We use Wikiloc to find our way around unknown areas. Yesterday wasn't the best. I'm trying to find easy graded routes atm and the one I found had many small loops that upset our Garmins. We eventually got away from the loops and followed the majority of the route easily. It took us past the motorhome parking at Foz, and blimey its rammed, with vehicles parked all along the roads as well.

The first time we could be sure where we were on the litte loops was when we arrived at this church.

And the parking from above at the end of the ride.

Across the water before we went out.

And the daytime fireworks at the fiesta. I was too slow with the camera and only got one "sparkle".

We're staying here today again to wait and see what happens when the weekenders leave, and the fiesta winds down? We're doing another ride, it's a moderate grade, so I hope it's OK for my wrist

But first we need to wait for the mist to clear and the weather to warm up

 

[Mr porky]

How proactive are the police on freedom camping ?

 

[jumar]

How proactive are the police on freedom camping ?

Not been here long enough to comment on that....however I would imagine the odd van here and there wouldn't pose a problem...during the past two summers here we have had the odd night in areas that we need to be in for riding or walking..generally we use official areas...Galicia is very busy just now as it's possibly the coolest place in Spain..that's why we are here....back home it's been 30°c plus for nearly two months...

 

[jumartoo]

How proactive are the police on freedom camping ?

In the past we've had no problems.

Yesterday, though, on here, two Guardia Civil vehicles arrived. After a debate, the youngest, female, officer was sent to tell some French campervanners to take in their canopy. They left them, and other people, alone with tables and chairs out.

Whether that will translate into looser or tighter policing for freedom parking , we'll find out over the next few months.

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[Langtoftlad]

And the daytime fireworks at the fiesta. I was too slow with the camera and only got one "sparkle".

IIRC you have a Panasonic Lumix camera?
It has a very clever feature called 4k pre-burst
It takes photos before you press the shutter button - so ideal for this situation.
You then choose from 30 frames [before & after] to get the best shot.

It sounds more complicated than it is.
The 4k button is on the back of the camera, top right.
Press that and you're shown 4 options - select the pre-burst mode.
That's it.

Don't forget to turn it off when you're done shooting fireworks etc

I used it quite successfully at Silverstone F1

 

[jumartoo]

IIRC you have a Panasonic Lumix camera?
It has a very clever feature called 4k pre-burst
It takes photos before you press the shutter button - so ideal for this situation.
You then choose from 30 frames [before & after] to get the best shot.

It sounds more complicated than it is.
The 4k button is on the back of the camera, top right.
Press that and you're shown 4 options - select the pre-burst mode.
That's it.

Don't forget to turn it off when you're done shooting fireworks etc

I used it quite successfully at Silverstone F1

View attachment 642253

View attachment 642254

Thanks. I remembered about the burst function toooo late. By the time I'd found it, the flashes were over .

Next time I'll try to be prepared.

 

[jumartoo]

Today's ride was so much better than yesterday's. First we detoured to check out the new camperstop.

Where we may go for the next few days. We've realised that we need to be very close to the coast for cooler weather for this week, at least.
It was fairly full but they have a grassy overflow area if necessary.

Our ride then took us up to a waterfall (driving there is possible, but we preferred to be on bikes. Motorhomes are banned!!). Martin stayed with the bikes whilst I went up to the falls.

We then continued to a viewpoint with "Ugly views" according to a P4N reviewer who couldn't see the view from the window of his FLT vehicle. Twenty metres walking takes you to these views.

Well, after passing this bank of orange plants.

We descended on a bumpy downhill forest track. Bumpy due to riding down caterpillar vehicle tracks. (We're probably going to do it again on a different route). Not the best of sensations for a broken/mending wrist!!
We passed a few mares and foals. Only took this one photo.

It turned just in time

 

[jumartoo]

It is raining, it is hailing ...

Singalong to Rod!

 

[jumartoo]

Well the fiesta surpassed itself on the noise level scale. They must have been told to reduce the volume because it did reduce for the last hour or so. I slept well from then on.

Yesterday we visited a new, private, motorhome parking area, just a short drive along the coast in the direction of Cathedral Beach. So, today, having overstayed our 48 hours by a night we've moved here for two nights.

It's misty again so we're going to ride along the coast and save a route I've found up to a viewpoint for tomorrow when it's forecast to be sunny. (Martin is getting the bikes ready now and he's wearing a jacket )

The owners are motorhomers and have made a very good area. They have worked hard to get it open for the summer season and they are amazed at how word has got around so quickly. It was almost full over the weekend. It's been officially open for one week!!

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[jumartoo]

We've been for a coastal ride. The areas around the "honeypots" like Cathedral Beach were very busy. So, my photos are from the "'tweeners" areas.

We set off determined to brave the weather, but after about 5 km we caved in a put on a windproof jacket each.

Honestly, we are in Spain, really!!!

There can't be much of Spain having these temperatures, cooler even than we've had in previous years. It's very nice after our weeks of hot, hot, hot.

<Broken link removed>

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Topsy turvey weather Judith. That top picture could be in Scotland or England with the coastline and sky. Far too hot here 34 deg atm at 5.37 pm and forcast even hotter tomorrow
Keep posting the pictures and be careful on that blooming bike

 

[jumartoo]

Ralph-n-Bev Bev thanks for your concern. I am being as careful as I know how to be .

 

[jumartoo]

I posted on my Facebook and another site, something I'd found about the 7th Celtic nation. Galicia

Where is the seventh Celtic nation?

Galicia, an autonomous region on Spain’s rugged northwestern coast, is home to ancient relics, pagan myths and a vibrant, living history unlike anywhere else in the world.

www.bbc.com

I found it interesting anyway.

 

[Viennese]

The midday news said big fires in Galicia. Stay safe.

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[jumartoo]

Today, after the best nights sleep we've had for ages, (cool and quiet) we woke to a pink and blue sky. I'd found a "moderate" bike ride for us to do. Martin didn't really like some of the tracks we found ourselves riding (for me, not him), but I know what hurts my wrist. Twisting a lid off a jar, twisting my hand to read something I'm holding, cause me much more pain than riding down bumpy tracks. I was cautious on some of the worst descents, especially where tractors had gouged out deep tracks, and I got off and walked.

It was well worth the, miniscule, risk to see the views. We passed on climbing to the highest point because it was far too windy to enjoy.

Waiting to let the tractor pass. He turned off before he got to us

Foz

the "top" we didn't do

 

[jumartoo]

The midday news said big fires in Galicia. Stay safe.

Thanks for the warning.

We are right on the coast, so fairly safe. Further south, like parts of Portugal, there are huge areas of, highly flammable, eucalyptus plantations. I expect these will be the ones at risk of fires.

We have some rain forecast. I hope it helps extinguish any fires there are

 

[jumartoo]

our first, forecast, rainy day has turned out to be sunnier and warmer than any day in Galicia so far. We'd booked a restaurant for lunch to get somewhere to go out of the rain. We still went, but sat outside . First, we had a stroll around the town. Built on fishing and industry, it still has an aluminium plant factory. If you look that way, it's not a nice view, but it gives work to locals. The rest of the coastline is lovely.

We are parked overlooking part of the old town and the lighthouse.

And, it's very popular with motorhomers right now!

16 places, officially!

We're not as close together as it looks from the photo above.

Our view from our windscreen.

The aluminium factory to the west. Work for the locals!

I've been out and found some sea glass, mainly green, as usual. Martin's now gone out for a spot of fishing.

I was messaged yesterday by a guy on Facebook, asking for some info. Guess who I met on the beach whilst I was looking for the glass??

It's a small world

 

[Just smiffy]

It definitely makes a difference in which way you point the camera…

 

[daveinspain]

We were there last September. Had a great meal in the restaurant.

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[jumartoo]

We were there last September. Had a great meal in the restaurant.

We had a great meal, with a takeaway which formed part of today's lunch ...

 

[jumartoo]

So, the weather was forecast, again, to be wet, we decided to stay put, and to don (or at least carry) waterproofs and go for a walk. I'd found a Wikiloc route, so we set off to follow it, loosely (as we do for all of our routes).

We began to follow the coast. No comments about the sh1t and rubbish we saw. Just ignore that bit.

We followed the coast. We watched some (unsuccessful, aren't they mostly?) fisher "people" (they were men, but can't say that now ) and rock hopped a bit more until we arrived on solid ground.

Anyway, to cut a dirge short, we headed back on a minor road and the some manicured tracks. We saw oranges and lemons, apples and pears, mulberries and fledgling grapes and... a badger dung pit .

Lunch was Fideau with some leftover chipirones from yesterday, bulked out with some white fish and king prawns.

It was very nice

 

[jumartoo]

We had some rain during the night. Why don't they say, with confidence, that's when it'll come. Moving on today, but first Martin went for a few bits from the local supermarket, and then we drove about 19 km around the coast to a place we didn't stay two years ago on 2nd August.. Then it was a sloping grassy field with lots of motorhomes (many with kids) and parking only. Now it's an official, gravelled, although still sloping, area, with a service point. Very few on here atm, but maybe it'll all change again in August.

We went for a short walk. Not one that "I'D" researched , but to be fair it was posted from the (closed) cafe. We followed ropes to take you up and down the, atm, overgrown path. We climbed over barbed wire fences when the gateways were hard to traverse, and slid down banks, holding onto ropes. We also got brambled and nettled. I don't DO this atm .

Anyway, we didn't come back the same way.

The area is a surfing beach. We're going to wander later in the western direction. My photos are from the other direction, and where we may ride tomorrow.

 

[jumartoo]

Just been down onto the huge, empty beach. There were a few people sitting and a few surfing. Martin went into the rocks to go fishing and I spent an hour or so sitting and taking some photos. Access to the beach is direct from the parking.

Some lovely coloured rocks, even if there's no sea glass.

 

[Nigel Crompton]

Judith ... what app is this a screenshot of

please ?

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