4th
Update Cameret (France) to Bayona (Spain)
Tuesday (2nd Oct) after many
discussions about the weather, all five boats decided the next morning
was not good enough to cross "The Biscay", but we could make it around
the corner to Benodet. We all agreed to this as we were getting bored
with Cameret during winter.
Wednesday (3rd Oct) all systems go! The planned 12 hour trip of 65 miles
went well with all boats tying-up safely that evening. The usual night's
activities followed. The weather wouldn't let up and we spent the next
week there. During this week we wined and dined (or just had pints) a
lot.
One night (our second, I think) we met up with an Irish Couple … Sarah
Jane and Bryan … they had left the Sun in Co. Kerry and took the ferry
to France, to find nothing but the same wind and rain we had to endure.
A couple of good nights were had out together. On the night before we
were due to leave the two came down to visit the boat and brought with
them "A Good Luck" bottle of wine … we polished that on the spot. Even
the next morning they came with a fresh french baggette to say farewell.
These were sailors too and wished they were leaving with us.
(P.S. It was very nice meeting you both and I'm sure we will meet again.)
Tuesday (9th Oct) at about 10am we, all five boats, made a break for Spain.
Friday (12th Oct) at 8am we tied up at Bayona Marina. A Najad 490 called
"Kalypso" got there some 10 hours before us and the rest followed in over
the next 12 hours. We were all there safely, except for one boat "Autumn
Breeze" which went to La Coruna first as they were low on fuel.
Paul and family on "Star Catcher" were towed in by "Tamarisk 2" (Mick,
Mick and Mrs. Mick) as they did run out of fuel. A nice place "Bayona"
and more of the same socialising went on there too, with our new found
friends from our little flottilla. We had a little reshuffle of crew here.
Jon, who joined me in Guernsey (to help me across The Biscay) decided
to join "Kalypso" to go straight to Gibralter. One of the Micks decided
to leave the couple to their own and joined my boat. This seemed to suit
everyone. So be it.
Monday (15th Oct) at 3.30pm we eventually left Bayona, bound for Cascais,
just outside Lisbon, Portugal. 5th Update Bayona (Spain) to Lanzarote
(Canaries) Wednesday (17th Oct) we tied up at Cascais at about 12 midday.
Planned to stay for two nights, but once again we waited for more suitable
weather. While here I heard "Through the Grapevine" that another Galway
boat called "Rebound" (which I have sailed on before) was not far up the
coast. I know the sailors on this boat and they seemed to hear (same grapevine)
that I was here. They even traveled by rent-a-car to the marina but some
how didn't find us. Pitty. On the morning of our planned departure, "Star
Catcher" sails into the marina. Yes it was Paul and family again. It was
good to see our new friends again but unfortunately we had spent enough
time there and had to leave.
Wednesday (24th Oct) departed Cascais at 7pm. Fair winds behind us all
that night … looking good … averaging about 7 knots. Thursday wind drops
off then, as darkness falls, swings onto the nose. Calm seas with nothing
to see but a single white light 3 miles off to port. We're not all alone,
way out here, some 100 miles southwest of Portugal, where the sea is almost
5 km deep. But who or what is it? Friday Morning … It seemed to be a yacht,
as he disappeared in front of us, then the wind picked up and we sailed
right by him.
Feel good factor … until shortly after that a big ship sneaks up on us
from behind and passes us … well at least something else to look at.
Friday, Ronan went for his first swim behind the boat while sailing 200
miles off Casablanca (North Africa). Friday evening before it got dark
we refueled as the tank was almost empty. We put in two of the three reserve
cans that I carry. That night the wind picked up to Force 5 (gusting 6)
from the north east. This pushed us along nicely at 8 knots, but come
Saturday morning it died away and swung on the nose again. Saturday evening
had us running low on fuel again so in with the last reserve can. Unfortunately
this isn't enough if the wind stays down. We motored on for the night
turning off the engine at dawn to save the last bit of fuel for manoevering
in the marina. Sailing was good for a while but by midday Sunday the wind
was easing again 'til we end up drifting at 1.5 knots with only 85 miles
to go.
Now those 85 miles seem to take forever. Alas after talking on the radio
with another yacht, "Leto", it seems Meteo France has forecast 3 to 4
NW then 5 to 6 NW. Well that didn't happen, we drifted for 6 hours, sailed
slowly, drifted again, until Jon on "Rebellious" (an Irish yacht) arrived
behind us, at about 3am Monday morning (29th Oct) … and after a chat on
the radio he gave us 3 gallons of diesel, enough to get us to the marina.
Thanks Jon.
We then motored on together and entered the marina at "Puerto Calero"
at 9.30am. By the time we got refueled and sorted out all the paper work
for the authorities it was 12 midday. Food time and then some … !!!!!
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