We arrived here yesterday evening at 17.00 - after a really rotten night and day. The weather was overcast and the wind blew from the NE the whole night and day, kicking up a nasty short sea into which poor Candida slammed without mercy. At one stage overnight we covered about 7 miles in the right direction in 3 hours!

None of us got much sleep, Tony suffering more than most.

However Thursday had been a day of sheer magic, with probably at least 100 dolphin joining us for at various times during the day and giving us these magnificent displays we mentioned earlier.

At about 16.30 a floating object was sighted that looked remarkably like a Dolphin - so we sailed over and sure enough in position 45:10.00 N 03:36.00 W at least 100 miles from the nearest beach there was 'A Dolf' - he, being a sensible sort immediately jumped on board, had his photo taken and then slipped into the forepeak where he slept until ejected by Tony in La Rochelle! Adolf did not mention any problem with sleeping over night - but then he had been floating around in the sea for a few days.

Apart from the lousy weather - the main excitement yesterday centred around a boarding party from the French Customs.....

We were gently (well sort of) motorsailing towards Ile D'Oleron at midday'ish when the Customs hove into view - came round the stern, hailed us and sent over a RIB with 4 officers  to board us.

They were very friendly and correct, but no less thorough - Tony was recumbent in his bunk and while he was asked questions I was asked the same ones - fortunately our answers tallied!

After about 1/2 and hour they left, two of them nearly falling in between us and the rib!

Their rib driver was pants by the way and nearly punctured his rib on the outboard!

Graham departed this morning on the bus to catch his flight to Leeds  - thanks Graham  a great  crewmate and you can sail a bit ! Just sorry we spent so long under motor!

The eagle eyed among you will notice that the map indicates that we went  cross country from Vigo to Ares - not so and I will try to get that changed!

Tony and I have now got a couple of days randr until Peter arrives tomorrow evening and we set off again on Monday - we certainl;y can't afford to stay on here in Port de Minimes at €35 per day ! (we paid €24 at the most expensive marina in Spain and Portugal)

Photos attached show Adolf - hopefully Graham will get the photos of the Customs Cutter to us soon!

Candida