As we got closer to the Festival wooden boats and tall ships started to appear around the harbour

Then the festival started! Sails and ships across the waterfront. Wooden vessels in various stages of repair - some 'rustic' others like high-end furniture. Canoes, dinghies, yachts and fishing vessels, all shapes and sizes. There was music aplenty, cooking and marine trade demonstrations, commercial exhibits visits to tall ships, steam engines, marine art and a 'quick and dirty' boat building competition for the kids. Three days of marine adventure and Salamanca Markets, the fun never stopped. Always arrive at the markets early in the morning (8.30am) before it gets crowded.

Then it was over, all the boats were gone, the smiling crowds departed and laughter ceased, the clean up and bump-out began. The docks, thriving and heaving yesterday, were empty again. All going well the party will be on again in two more years. Time to head back to the mainland.