First blog from Nightsong - June 15th 2009
Nightsong
Mon 15 Jun 2009 12:07
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Here we are 2 weeks into our year long cruise and
the weather still ain't hot and sunny - which is what we are going south for! We
seem to have had lots of grey sky and rain most days. Nevertheless we are having
a good time - currently at one of the Galician alta rias, Caraminhas, 50 miles
south of La Coruna.
Unfortunately we were delayed 2 days at our start
in Plymouth - 'cos of more Southerly caused problems - this time with the
bowthruster which hadn't been installed correctly - so the boat had to be pulled
out and we missed the NE winds and fine weather of 2 weeks ago. Still we set off
on 3rd June bound for Camaret near Breste which we made in 20hrs or so - then
the weather broke and we were stuck there and at Audierne for a week while a
series of summer depressions came up the channel, causing SW 7-8s. Finally on
the Wednesday 10th last week for Coruna and made it in 47 hrs (340 miles)
despite having to motor more than 1/2 the way - the wind started off at NW Force
6 which made for a rebellious crew but soon came down and headed us! Anyway
that's the last non coastal passage that we have until the Perrings join us to
sail from Lagos to Madeira!!
2 days in Coruna to recover though AJB (and now ELB
too) managed to acquire an upset tummy and now we go down to Bayona near the
Portuguese border- we mean to spend several days in these beautiful Galician
rias. Tomorrow we round Cape Finistere - brings out the maritime gene in me -
these wonderful names Cape Finistere, Cape St Vincent and Cape Trafalgar,
evocative of the great18th century British naval ascendency - and all of which
we will pass on out way to Madeira and the Canaries.
So far all well with the boat except the wind
instruments are proving fickle (Raymarine will be called) and the Duogen
wind/water generator broke a few hours into our Bay of Biscay crossing. Problem
that was originally caused by a dolphin taking a snap at it last September on
our first Biscay crossing! Mended it better this time - but not a job to be done
rolling gunnel under in a big swell in the middle of the Atlantic!
Well in to the manchego and membrillo! Looking
forward to the chorizo and wonderful cheap rioja etc when our stomachs
settle!
AJB
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