Pootling Arround at Villaricos

A very nice sight greeted me when I arrived at Villaricos seafront just before 8.00am this morning ....... a glassy-calm sea with just the gentlest of breezes.  A perfect morning for a bit of a paddle.

At around 8.30am I launched The Twist from this little bit of beach in front of a cafe/bar, near the entrance to the northernmost of the two marinas.  There is one at each end of the seafront.  With a sea as calm as this I thought I could visit both of the marinas.

Heading towards the southernmost of the marinas.

It was very quiet on the seafront at this time of the morning.

Approaching the entrance to the southernmost marina.

Inside the marina.

Also very peaceful here.  Just one elderly chap, wearing a big straw hat, was quietly preparing a modest small boat to go fishing.  Later I saw him chugging out to sea trailing a fishing line.  We waved to each other - as one should on such a nice morning.

Heading towards the northernmost of  the marinas.

The gentlest of winds had now died away to nothing.  Although I went into this marina, to mooch around, I wasn't there long.  A harbour official came to the end of one of the jetties and called to me ...... it transpired that I shouldn't be in there.  The marina, or harbour, is for permit holders only.  So I apologized and paddled out again.  No more marina mooching at Villaricos for me!

A bit of rock-dodging to round off  the trip.

Before surrendering to the heat of the morning I paddled a bit further up the coast, away from the main seafront.  It's a rocky bit of coastline but I saw a couple of nice little bays where it night be possible to launch a kayak from on a future visit.

Oops!  I think the camera lens might need a clean - or the low sun might be the cause of that 'flare' on the rock.

Long time since I saw a sea as calm as this.  Time on the water was about 1½ hours and distance paddled was just short of 4 kilometres.

It might be nearly the end of September, and autumn may have just started, but it was still pretty hot in the sun by 10.00am. 

Back to Embalse de Negratin

  In spite of a severe storm, which tracked down the east coast of Spain last week, leaving flooding and destruction (even a few fatalities) in its wake, Monday of this week looked a good day to take a kayak to Embalse de Negratín. 

   Here are a few photos from that trip.  It was a repeat of the area of the reservoir that I covered on June 11th. [Blog post 12/06/19]  .......  Playa de Freila to the Torre de Maruq (Moorish watchtower), nipping into all the inlets on the way, and a direct paddle back again.  However, it did all look very different this time, as the water level was even lower; the lowest I've ever seen it.  Shame that the storm didn't get far enough inland to help top up the reservoir.  As usual I was on the water early in the morning.

Many more tree stumps and roots had now been exposed along the edge of the reservoir.  Here are some  examples of the more sculptural looking ones:

This was a coffee break stop at the limit of my trip - on the same headland as the Torre de Maruq.  So far it had been perfect kayaking weather but strong winds were forecast for the afternoon.  So time to turn back.

This inlet is where the Barranco de los Hornos runs into the reservoir. A Barranco being gully or ravine, generally with a watercourse in the bottom.  The watercourse will be dry most of the year, but wet weather can change that.

Just after I got back on the water I heard the mellow sound of bells and a herd of goats appeared.  Goats are inquisitive animals and large numbers lined up on a ridge to look down on me.  Some came down to the water for a drink. They didn't all wear bells, so I guess it is only the 'lead goats' who have that privilege.  I didn't see the goat-man or goat-women, but I've no doubt that he or she saw me.  Even in the most remote of places you never know who may be watching you!

As I headed back to Playa de Freila I I saw this part submerged tree.  Over the last couple of years I have passed this way several times without seeing it.  It just shows how much the water level has dropped - and is a reminder of what can be lurking just below the water.  I couldn't resist moving in for a close look,  That is Jabalcón mountain in the distance.






I got back to the Playa at about 1:15pm.  Time on the water was nearly 4 hours and the total distance paddled, at a leisurely pace, and with a couple of coffee breaks ashore, was 6 kilometres.  If the wind that was forecast for the afternoon did come, it was much later in the afternoon, after I had packed up and gone.