is Aviles bypassed by the Brits?

LadyInBed

LadyInBed

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The nightly rate appears to be very reasonable at €10 to 12 / night, electricity and water provided but no wifi, showers or toilet, you have to bring your own :) The town is most impressive, old 17c style buildings, lovely parks, it has a lovely feel to it.
I have been here nearly a week, lots of French boats have visited, but no Brits!
Is it just bad press about the industrial approach?
 
We were there just over a year ago. Absolutely lovely town. The sidreria bars are fanatastic - the architecture gorgeous - and yes, not a word of native English to be heard. There's not a lot wrong with the approach - it's a working river. We loved it.
 
N Spain is an easy fortnight cruise for the Biscay French. Just like Brits crossing the Channel from Falmouth or Plymouth. But for Brits who can only cruise for 2 weeks at a time, it's 240nm too far! Sure, you can pre-position. But that means the family/friends can't join you so easily.

So this means it's a regular French cruising ground for their 6 week season "off duty". While the only regular Brit candidates for cruising the area tend to be retired folk with lots of time. But most of those are hell bent on getting to the sun ASAP - so Biscay is just a barrier to be jumped in May and June en route to the Med.

For gunk-holers, the pilot books then gush about the charms of Gijon. So that's first choice as a stop in the area. Then Aviles is just next door, described as an industrial port. Since half of us use out of date pilot books, the pontoons near the town aren't mentioned. Very third choice . . .

Agreed. It's a lovely town, and especially in August when the festive season is in full swing. And a harbour safe to enter in all conditions.
 
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We stayed there for a few days, lovely town, but when we were there we noticed a persistant chemical type smell that stuck in the back of the throat, it drove us away in the end. This is our blog entry from our visit for those interested
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/serenmor/?xjMsgID=130148
It's much cheaper here. Perhaps from the photograph you can see why. We're on a perfectly adequate pontoon with power and water but no shower / toilet facilities. It's reasonably secure and close to the town. But on this side is a busy main road and railway line whilst the opposite side of the river is completely industrialised - cranes and factories with chimneys belching out toxic-smelling smoke.
Our guide book tells us "the town hides a medieval heart of some character". So, undaunted, we headed out to find it. Sure enough there is a well preserved old town with plenty of bars and restaurants. It could be a little gem. Unfortunately, the noxious odour lurks everywhere making lingering in pavement cafes uninviting.



But a more positive view on our second blog entry for the place
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/serenmor/?xjMsgID=131477
'It's amazing how a place can grow on you. The good weather helps, of course and somehow we don't notice the smell in the morning, although we did both wake up coughing and it gets worse in the afternoon!
The old town is a buzzing place in the evening and has a relaxed atmosphere with an air of prosperity. You get the impression most people are locals unwinding after work rather than tourists. This could be what keeps the prices in the bars and restaurants at a reasonable price.'
 
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I've been here almost a week now, the wind has been from the N a lot of the time - in from over the industrial area, and I can honestly say there has been no hint of a pong :)
Other points in its favour, the Airport is only a 20 Min ,€4 bus ride away, and there is a Lidl !
 
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