DAY SAIL TO ISLAS CIES AND AU-REVOIR TO KEN

Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Sat 4 Jun 2016 09:20
Friday. Rosalie and Jane arrived as planned on Thursday evening; so in the restaurant both Peter and Ron were on their best behaviour – for about 5 minutes. A day sail to an anchorage in the National Park’s Islas Cies was decided upon; initial virtual calm conditions soon responded to what the GRIB files had dictated as a SW5 sprang up from nowhere, giving the crew ample opportunity to demonstrate to their spouses how to put in two reefs and reduce the genoa in double quick time. Within a couple of hours we were anchored in a sheltered bay, with rocks as breakwaters and white sand the backdrop (phot).

Robert provided his usual impeccable performance ferrying people ashore (phot) – with the surf on the beach giving the initial landing party some excitement. Decorum was soon re-established, and we enjoyed a relaxed (but blustery) hour or so on the pristine sand (phot). Back on board for a light lunch, recorded (phot) with the aid of an Aquila style selfie-stick (the business end of the deck scrubbing broom - phot!).

A sparkling tea-time sail (phots) back to Vigo, then a foray ashore to a pulpp (=octopus) ‘restaurant’ provided much evening entertainment (phots). Ken looked somewhat concerned (phot); Jane took it all in her stride (phot) but Peter was clearly animated (phot) as a novel way to barbeque a chorizo sausage was demonstrated. It’s a tough life here in Galicia!

Saturday. At 0415 we said goodbye to Ken - he has a commitment at the Cattistock Hunt Ball this evening. The crew were unanimous in our unstinting admiration of Ken’s irrepressible humour, unshakeable stoicism (especially regarding the continuous stream of dreadful dits and jokes that the oldies regaled him with for 10 days), extraordinary wisdom, expert sailing abilities and above all, being an all-round good egg. Catherine: please allow Ken to come again! Soon!

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