Tuesday 12 September

 We’re pleased that it is dry this morning and we manage to wash the mud off the groundsheets and pack up in the dry. We walk to Oyambre beach, a vast expanse of sand with a few optimistic surfers. Then on the road west we try to stop on the way at Ribedesella to reminisce but once again it is rammed and the parking is closed for the Vuelta again. The detour takes us on an incredibly narrow steep road lined with parked cars which Simon manages to navigate very calmly! It is a very scenic road crossing multiple viaducts and long tunnels to navigate through the lush green pastures, valleys, mountains, rivers and beaches. I plan another stop at Cudillero billed as the prettiest fishing village in Asturias. This turns into another nightmare as the apparently single track road descends steeply getting narrower and narrower to the port where there is nowhere to park and it is crowded with people. We turn around and are sweaty with relief that we get back up without having to reverse. We narrowly miss meeting a motor home coming down. Further inland we find a parking slot where we eat a stale sandwich standing up by the road! We arrive in A Coruna and find our site at the marina recommended by Angus. It’s a great spot by the sea and we are thrilled to park on dry concrete! A bit later we wander into the old city and admire the City Hall in Maria Pita square while drinking a small Estrela Galician beer. I’ve booked at a fish restaurant recommended in the guide book which doesn’t open until 8.30pm. It soon fills up and we have a truly wonderful meal of clams, pulpo a feira (octopus with paprika) and delicious Galician Fish stew. Washed down with some local Alberino of course. We will sleep well tonight.