Hi,
Yesterday afternoons sail to La Coruna was idyllic. Sunshine, nice breeze on
the beam which never reached 20 Kts but kept threatening.
Crossed the shipping lanes in daylight with minimum fuss thanks to my Open
CPN chart program which my AIS transponder plugs straight into giving GPS
and amazing detail on all AIS targets (Thanks Stew for the tip). Only one
boat I had to call 4 times before he responded, and then after we agreed how
to cross I had to do a quick defensive maneuver. I forgot about the Spanish
Purse seine fisherman! pitch black and being treated to a phosphorescence
circus display by dolphins, I ran into the fleet. The big boats now have AIS
which just shows that most of them go in circles then turn back when you
think they are out of harms way. Checking these boats on radar revealed a
hidden 20 or so other targets or small boats, which I'm sure all didn't have
lights. Any way with my head stuck out the wheelhouse hatches all night I
didn't get any sleep and I'm sure my earlobes have got frost bite. Thank
goodness for the Caribbean Monster Energy drinks.......................20 oz
of red Bull in a can and got through 1 1/2 cans. Anyway I lost an hour
dodging and weaving then dawn broke and they all overtook me rushing back in
the harbour. Except for the greedy couple who decided to cast their nets
right in the entrance. I'd had it by then, so fueled with F1 red bull I
charged through the gap by the wall and nipped
in.................................to the lovely new marina at La Coruna. I
was ready to anchor as per my guide but they built a marina in the
anchorage. Sorry about then length of the
blog..........................................does anyone know how long this
stuff works....................i think I'll clean the boat now!!
Hope to leave for last?? leg Saturday...............watch this space.
Days run GPS 92 LOG 88
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