BAY OF BISCAY - TRANSIT HIGHLIGHTS
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Sun 29 May 2016 17:02
Past Ushant, we enjoyed a under us 6kt tide as we transited the notorious Passage de Fromveau, giving us an excellent slingshot start despite the fickle wind. But at least the asymmetric got an airing (phot). En route, we ate like kings: the ‘disaster quiche’ was anything but, and the sole mackerel caught by Ron (phot) at 1830 made for a superb Shashimi aperitif before we demolished Rosalie’s wonderful lasagne – thank you Rosalie!
The moon rose over an undulating sea covered by a silk sheet – not a ripple in sight. But exactly as promised by the GRIB files (the skipper gets VERY excited by these), at sunrise the wind filled in and we then enjoyed 24hrs of superb sailing – sustained by a breakfast to die for (phot). Dolphins galore, a pod of Minke whales, numerous House Martins seeking respite from their migration, continuous soundings of over 4000m across the Abyssal Plain, the international space station transiting the crystal clear firmament above – we had it all (and Ken looked suitably cool – phot). Capped by met and blog support via the satphone from Tom and Seb, and a wonderful spiced stew courtesy of Sarah, we sailed on into the second night.
Closing the final 150 miles to the Galician coast, by 0530 on Saturday the wind had become decidedly fickle. But the trusty GRIB files enabled us to make the most of the shifts. Nonetheless, for the final 24hrs we were hard on the wind, heeled over at 35deg accompanied by a lively motion (phot). The crew rose magnificently to the challenge; Ken (phot) and Ron ((phot) produced nectar from the galley, and the Spanish coast was raised at dawn on Sunday with morale at an all-time high.
Come dawn Sunday, Ken hoisted the courtesy flag as we entered Spanish waters (phot); by midday, after just over three days and 391 miles (average speed: 5.3kts), we secured alongside the marina in Camarinas, Galicia – welcomed by the harbourmaster’s cousin who spoke perfect Cockney! After quick bath and dhobs we enjoyed tapas on the quayside before returning to the boat for a siesta. Meanwhile, Gilbert and George proceeded ashore…we are a bit worried about what they might get up to……
