Update from Santander
The Voyages of Richard and Amanda
Tue 15 Jun 2010 10:30
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So to fill in what we have been up to since
Ribadeo. As I mentioned the original plan was to go from Ribadeo to Gijon
a distance of about 60 miles. Leaving was a bit nerve racking when you looked
out to sea it seemed as if there was a continuous line of surf across the
entrance, but as we followed the zig-zag transits out of the harbour we could
see that it was just a trick of perspective and there was quite a clear path
through. The sea was pretty choppy though and a muddy yellow colour in the
entrance from all the rain; an added hazard was the odd tree branch floating out
to sea.
Still we eventually made it out into clearer waters
where the only things to look out for were the odd lobster pot, so we did notice
the small cork buoys in the water, what we didn't see till it was too late was
the fishing line that linked the buoys so we didn't have a chance to miss it and
it disappeared under the bows. There was a tense moment as the buoys started to
be dragged along then the line must have slipped off the keel and got left
behind. We thought we were clear of it till 15 minutes later we noticed we were
being followed by a small round object about 25 yards away. Looking down at the
back of the boat we could see a larger rope streaming out behind
us.
This was almost the last straw for Amanda who was
already feeling nervous from the choppy sea. We slowed the boat down by rolling
up the genoa and heading up into the wind while I tried to hook the line with
the boathook, but it was just out of reach. Plan B was to use the fishing line
with a weight on the lure to try and hook the line. This worked but
unfortunately the drag was more than my fishing line would take and it snapped.
Eventually I came up with Plan C which was to use a claw hammer attached to a
thin bit of rope. Once I had hooked the line I was able to cut enough free to
take the pressure off and then the bit that was round the rudder came free. I
was 90% certain that it was all clear, but it wasn't till later when we
cautiously tried the engine that we could relax completely.
After all this tension it was a relief to start
sailing again and I ahve to say that the only thing that stopped it being a
perfect sail was the lack of sun. All we could see were dark grey clouds blowing
along below lighter grey ones. We had a 10 knot wind on the beam and were
cruising along at 6.5 to 7 knots. In fact we were doing so well that we would
have been entering Gijon in the dark, so when we got to the decision point as we
rounded the last headland, Cabo Penas, we decided that we would make up time and
carry on to Santander, our last port in northern Spain. The wind kept with us
till midday Sunday when the sun came out. This was great except that the wind
died, and when it restarted it was from dead astern. There are few things that
get me irratated but a light wind from dead astern in a choppy sea definately
does. The boat rolls around. The sails won't fill properly and bang from side to
side and it is thoroughly uncomfortable. This is when we decided that we needed
to start motoring so the last 30miles were done under engine.
Santander harbour is a busy port with cargo ships,
ferries and yachts all mixed up. The marina is just outside the town and a bit
out of the way and next to the airport, but it was great to be still and safe.
We had just enough energy to open some tins of chilli-con-carne and then slept
through till 10am Monday. Monday am was taken up with a shower and general
tidying up. We needed to find a bank to get some cash so set off on the cycle
path that goes round the airport a round trip of 7.5 kilometres - Amanda's
suggestion so that we could get some exercise!! Still was reasonably sunny and
quite warm so it was very pleasant. The airport is not very big or busy,
fortunately so we haven't been disturbed by jet noises.
Cash funds replenished it was back to the boat for
a cup of tea. The boat in the next berth from us is owned by an English couple
Carl and Melanie who arrived about 30mins after us on Sunday. They are very nice
and invited us over for a drink that turned into several drinks and supper as
well, so when we left at 00.30am it was just as well we didn't have far to go.
They are living our dream, they are making their way round Spain, Portugal etc.
with the ultimate aim of getting to the Greek islands. They have both
effectively given up work, although I think Carl still does some via the
internet. They had a business finding IT staff for financial companies, and a
lot of that can be done on-line.
It is Tuesday as I'm writing this, Amanda has gone
to get the washing and we might try and get the bus to Santander to have little
explore. The weather for Wed/Thu looks horrible, lots of rain and wind. Fri
seems to be the first day of lighter NW winds, so we shall probably stay till
then before heading for Royan in France. We have about 700 miles to go to get
home, so an average of 100 miles a week should see us home by end of July.
Hopefully the weather will get better, because so far it has been
rubbish
More later...
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