Across the Bay and Round the Cape
Cat-man-do
Fri 8 Jun 2007 14:45
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Strange combinations over the last days of this
leg. We're still all hoping for some warmth and sunshine but so far it's not
happening. We're still doing watches (day and night) dressed no differently to
if we were playing in Morcambe Bay, never mind Biscay.
Some huge ships out and about around here and we
were very nearly run down by one from astern. Hasty avoiding action from
ourselves avoiding the worst. We were under sail, it was daylight and he came
from astern, no excuse that I can see. Several efforts made on VHF to "have an
exchange of views" with the crew or the watch but there was no response to radio
and no sign of anyone at all on board.
The bottom half of biscay was fairly rough
but at the sun shone, even if it wasn't any warmer. Winds of F6 - 7 gave us
a cracking sail though in conditions I find quite enjoyable for a few hours.
We decided to take the " brave route and go round
the inside of the shipping lanes at Cape Finnistaire, even though there are
warnings of the winds being pretty strong as you get closer into the shore line.
In the event the winds actually calmed substantially as headed round, the sun
went down and we were left with one of those skies you only seem to get at sea
(or maybe the desert) Thousands and thousands of stars on a moon free night
giving an awesome display. At this point Rebel T appeared on our starboard bow
and made radio contact, they'd had a change of heart and taken the inside route
too. It seemed just like one of those moments, up went the big Genoa and an
impromptu race was on !
Slowly but very surely we made way on Rebel and
slowly but we left them astern. Sweet indeed. There have been representations
since the event that they only had one sail up etc etc. If that's the case they
have a very fast boat and every credit to them. Does it matter ? Does it hell,
we're out here for the fun of it at the end of the day.
After the inside of the shipping lanes we bore away
from the land again and made towards Bayona, straight into a bank of thick fog.
Over VHF we warned Rebel behind us that it was there as they would be following
us into it, to be replied by several others who were already in it. It's a
rather surreal experience sailing into a thick bank of fog at night, knowing
there are others in the same bank.....
Eventually the fog was left behind and we headed
towards the dawn. Pete nodded off in the cockpit and I fell off the helm seat,
also asleep !!
It was decided that maybe the time had come for
Pete and Brian to get some sleep and as Rob had only just got up, he was left to
look after the boat.
About 2 in the afternoon the coast was finally
spotted through the mist (yep, still no sunshine) and we headed into Bayona for
the finish.
Over the finish line into a harbour, seemingly full
of Catamarans, not something you seem to get much of at home. Straight onto the
fuel berth and re-filled the water tank, before the bombshell of "sorry we
haven't got a mooring for you, you'll have to sit on a buoy in the harbour. Not
really what we wanted to hear, no easy access to the town and no shore power for
the electrics. Not really the best start to the stay but nothing we could do
about it, so we now sit "bobbing" round in the middle of the
harbour.
Traditions were upheld as we tied up to the buoy
and the Whisky and Dark Rum were hit with a vengeance. It didn't take more
than about half an hour, and the sun coming out (hurray) for things to look
decidedly good with the world.....
A night out in the town for a crackin meal in a
restaurant called of all things, Mosquito's. Damn fine food though. Slight issue
with myself being so exhausted I couldn't actually stay wake and fell asleep on
more than one occasion still sat in the restaurant!
Octopus, Lobster and squid for a reasonable price,
highly recommended if you get out this way.Bayona itself appears to be a lovely
little town full of little back streets full of bars and restaurants, and a
small pleasant beach which appears to be just used by the locals, but may get a
visit from myself this afternoon :0)
We headed off to bed by about 11 ish and all slept
for about 10 hours straight, pretty much unheard of for any of us.
Four days here to sit and relax now which will be
lovely, Even the mobiles work ok here with Pete getting a nice call from
Jonathan this morning. Unfortunately I was in the middle of texting a message
last night and fell asleep before getting the second half off, and will probably
have a totally different meaning without the other half !!
Must go and sort that out.
Take care everyone and be good.
The Cat Boys....
P.S. There has been one small catastrophe on board.
After many years of faithful service Brians MP3 player and it's 1300 tracks for
the trip has died. :O(
Now where's the duty free shop .......
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