18-20 June: Final stage of passage, arrival at Sada marina, Ria Betanzos, NW Spain
Gaudeo
John and Prue Quayle / John Quayle
Wed 20 Jun 2007 18:50
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A fabulous beam reaching sail in moderate S - SE
breeze brought us quickly along the 90 miles of the northern
Spanish coast from near Gijon almost to Ortegal Point by
late evening when we changed course towards the SW for the last 60 miles
but as we did so, the wind veered against us. We were now
headed into strong squalls which required much sail
changing, and also had to move to avoid fishing
vessels. The wind steadied to top end SW force
6 causing a disturbed sea, so we used the engine for longish
periods to improve the heading.
For the last 15 miles we had a spanking
unassisted close fetch - wind gusting force 7 to 8 - to
bring us into Ria Betanzos, and tied up late afternoon in Sada
marina.
Elation was short lived as JQ had bent a
stanchion by clumsy mooring and there was a blockage in the heads - testament to
the high standard of cuisine aboard Gaudeo. On the promise of good behaviour,
the user`s name is to remain anonymous! Sadly no photographs but
they would have been worthy of publication in a respectable journal of
proctology. Two hours of replumbing etc gave way to 2-3 hours suspended
celebration regardless of tiredness and this was resumed in modest
proportion at lunch next day, enhanced by educated tasting of a
variety of Albarino wines: Filaboa, Valdorel and Organistrum - reverse order of
preference being decreed by the committee. A photo of the visitation from the
deep to the deck of Gaudeo by Balenus Blancus Vulcanus ( the great white
smith whale) tells the tale.
The return to Blighty with Ryanair from
Santiago de Compostela next day brought another good outing for the over
60s to a close. Prue and I will return at the end of July and end in
Lagos, Portugal in mid
September. |