Spain 2016 - boat excursion.

Mum, Dad and Nicky went into the market this morning leaving me to shop at El Jamon, in Punta del Moral for white wine and to put out the laundry. I also asked Belen at Isla Canela Tours to book us on the 1pm boat excursion from the marina.

We had seen this sign on the wharf and inquired, a couple of days ago.

When the others got back we went and waited at the gate to the 2nd dock.

He backed the boat in, we (and another couple) paid and climbed on board.

Over the side of the boat we saw what we have since identified as a Sea Slug. It was black, about a foot long and had undulating "wings" that moved a bit like a rays. I didn't get a good picture of it but Nicola did and is going to send it to me. I'll post it then.

Out of the marina past this huge sail boat that is the last one on that dock.

Across to Isla Christina passed now and then by fishing boats.

He took us along by the wharves of Isla Christina, an area we had not been able to see when we drove over there.

Salt is not kind to the bottoms of sailboats and a group were up "on the hard" probably for some tlc.

The fishing boats that I have been posting pictures of are trawlers that go out and come in during the day but on this trip we also saw a lot of fishing boats with huge lights on top. I didn't find much on the internet during a short search but it seems that lights are used in fishing for sardines and for squid.

Our skipper pulled the boat over to this man who showed us his catch.

Squid

The commercial fishing wharf and warehouse. We were too early for boats to be off loading their catch.

The refrigerator trucks were ready and waiting though.

Boat yards for building and repairs.

Old boats

Really old boats

After the harbour we went up into the marismas a little and could see gulls, cormorants and an amazing number of egrets just hanging out on the fishing boats.

We pulled up at a raft that they use to harvest mussels and tied up. Our skipper served us small glasses of white wine and packets of shrimp. The freshest shrimp!

Little tables flipped up and had holes for the little plastic cups to fit into.

This Turnstone ran around on the nets and ropes on the barge. Nicky called him our "floor show".

Great for pictures and for birdwatching.

Our skipper. He spoke very little English, just enough to say "Atlantic", "Isla Christina", "Mussels", "Wine?"

After our little snack we returned to the dock. It cost 9 Euro and took about an hour and was a very pleasant outing. It was nice to see the area from a different perspective. I just wish we could have asked questions about what we were seeing especially the fishing techniques and culture.
After lunch, Nicky and I went for a walk around Punta del Moral and into the marshes.

Mending his nets.

We have seen the fisherman use these little tiny dingys to get out to their boats. Who needs oars when a couple of planks of wood will do.

Pile of pots in Punta. Crabs? We're not sure.

Black-necked grebes on the marshes.

Back to the apartment and I started the blog. We had decided to celebrate Nicky's visit by going out to dinner. The restaurants on this side of the harbour were all closed so we went over to Punta del Moral and went to Casa Miguel  Angel y Micaela.

The restaurant was full of local people but the waiter (maybe owner) spoke excellent English and we basically had everything that he recommended.

;

First; tomatoes sprinkled with chopped garlic and sea salt. Served with homemade sauce (we asked as it was delicious - olive oil infused with chopped garlic for 4 days, mayonnaise, sprinkle of paprika, dribble of balsamic vinegar reduction.)

Dad and I had the grilled Sea Bass

Nicola and Mum had the grilled Sole

We had a bottle of red and a bottle of white, house wine. A local winery bottles them for the restaurant.

Mum and I had dessert, a triple chocolate flan.

We all had the orange wine he recommended which was light and delicious.

I took a picture of the box it came out of.

Nicola and I walked home (there was a little staggering involved). It was an absolutely delicious meal and we decided we would have to give them a review on TripAdvisor.

Full moon on the way home.