In Brigantia

A second corner of Hispania looks to the Northwest where the city of Brigantia lies in Galicia.  A high tower, an observation point towards Britannia, rises in the city.
      ––– Paulus Orosius,  
Historiarum Adversum Paganos Libri VII,
Anno Domini 417

The Farum Brigantium, built when Trajan was Emperor (AD 98 to AD 117), is 34 meters tall to the base of the light, which still stands, plus perhaps 3 more meters for the now disappeared light housing: 37 meters in total height.  Compare to the first skyscraper, Chicago's Home Insurance Building of 1885: 42 meters.  Brigantia sat halfway across Via XX - Bracara Augusta-Asturica Augusta, i.e., Roman Highway 20, from Braga in Portugal to Astorga in Spain.  Brigantia is now known as La Coruña, and Peregrinus docked at the Real Club Náutico de La Coruña for a couple of spectacular days.  Leica Typ 114, 28 September 2015.

Castillo de San Felipe, El Ferrol

This fort was built in 1557 to protect the Royal Shipyards, and Peregrinus anchored right in front of it for an entire week.  Today El Ferrol is still a major naval base and we saw F-101 Álvaro de Bazán and F-103 Blas de Lezo go in and out right by us.  27 September 2015, Leica Typ 114.

The view while dining in Asturias

At the foot of the Picos de Europa, on the Bay of Biscay, sits the welcoming fishing village of Lastres (Llastres, in Asturian).  Safe harbour, free dock.

The village of Lastres from the deck of Peregrinus.  Top middle: the bell tower of San Roque, which marks every hour.  10 September 2015, Leica Typ 114.

King in Santander?

Prominent metal sign right next to the main entrance of the massive 1925 Banco de España building in Santander.  Denarius was the old 10 —"deni", or 'in tens'— Roman coin first issued by the Republic in 211 BC and last issued under Diocletian in 275 AD; reissued by Eastern Roman Empire as the Denarius Auri;  such long use ended up meaning "money" in the Med: Spanish dinero, Poruguese dinheiro, and Arab dinar.  7 September, iPhone 6 Plus.

Bilbao Sail In Festival

We attended one of the events at Sala BBK.  It was fun to see and hear Mini Transat stars Ana Corbella, Justine Mettraux, and Albert Bargués.  The film on Milan Kolácek's single-minded sailing obsession (and unlikely successes) was awe-inspiring.  

On exhibit were the winning photographs of the 2014 Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image contest.  You can see the entire gallery, and we liked most, but particularly enjoyed this one:

 TP52 Georgia, Bay of Islands Race Week 2014, New Zealand.  

Bilbao in Grey

Bilbao in grey reminds us
of the transience carried off
by time’s vortex; reminds us
of the immortal that has had its start
but will never have an end; reminds us
of the eternal that has not yet begun
and will never end.
–––Azorín

On a grey Bilbao day outside, the Grand staircase inside the Municipal Bidebarrieta Library in the Casco Viejo is full of color. iPhone 6 Plus. 4 September 2015.

España

It can be challenging to land one's dinghy on the San Sebastián wharf. They are not really geared for cruising boats.

It's hot here, and Playa de la Concha teems with sunbathers and swimmers. Including the ones that go without suit. Yep.

Peregrinus' small Achilles tender, with its new legally required reference to the mothership: "Tender To Peregrinus."  Fisherman's wharf, San Sebastián.  iPhone 6 Plus.

Be on the right track

Occasionally we find that an invited guest is insane. This generally cheers us all up. We know we're on the right track.

---Sante Fe Institute Operating Principles, 1984

Peregrinus at anchor, Île-d'Yeu, Pays de la Loire, 25 June 2015.  Leica Typ 114.

Where each boat is an Amel

Amel delivers most of its new boats to customers here, and owners of older models are welcome to dock here as well.  Every boat in this picture, which includes Peregrinus, is an Amel, and on this photo are the models Sharki, Maramu, Super Maramu, Super Maramu 2000, Amel 54, Amel 55, and Amel 64.  

Leftmost in the picture is an Amel customer service office where factory technicians are available every workday.  Including during August.

Ponton Amel, La Rochelle, iPhone 6 Plus, 30 July 2015.

Siege

The white tents in the field before the city ramparts look like the encampment of a sieging army preparing to seize the walls.  Echoes of 1628, as the Calvinists stood Richelieu's massive attack for fourteen months from these very defenses.

But the tents were there as part of La Rochelle's Francofolies music festival, and the attack was merely auditory.  

14 July 2015, the last day of the Francofolies.  The flag of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux flies above the Tour de la Chaîne.  Leica Typ 114.