More Vigo

It is my final day in Vigo, my last opportunity to relax a little and to see a couple more sights before I start my trip proper tomorrow morning.

I set off down to the water on my bicycle, past the empty cruise liner terminal - yesterday’s boat had left for pastures new - and onwards along the working seafront. The evidence of industrial maritime Vigo followed me along most of the four mile route - fuel depots, warehouses, cranes, large working boats - as I headed firstly for the Galician Maritime Museum and then to Samil beach beyond. As Vigo's main beach I thought it would be worth a visit although I would not be seeing it in its prime with the weather today varying from dull and grey to dull and grey and wet. For the most part I followed a cycle path so, despite the drizzle and the lack of views, I avoided the busy maritime road which was a blessing.

Towards the museum - far right

The museum, housed in the old Vigo fish cannery, was interesting enough with a varied collection of models and information on maritime history and exploration. For me though, the most enjoyable part was not maritime related but an exhibition of the work of Nicolás Muller, an Hungarian/Spanish photographer, showing black and white photographs of Galicia in the 1960s: atmospheric shots of beautiful but run down buildings and haunted looking individuals, the result of a rural economy. I recognised some of the places and the difference between then and now was stark. From there to Samil beach was only a short ride and I managed to view the mile long arc of white sand before the weather started closing in.

Samil Beach

I ate in a beach cafe while watching the far side of the bay disappear into the mist and the rain. As I finished, the weather began to lift once again so it seemed a good time to face the thirty minute cycle ride back to the city and my hotel. At least it was mostly flat; tomorrow I will have to contend with a day of hills and a lot more rain if the forecasts are correct.