La Coruna to Camarinas  43.07.569N 009.10.918W

The magnetism of land is so appealing, everything is ordered and you kinda know how things are going to go in the course of a day, It is hard to let go of the lines and to sail into the unknown. However it was a bright day when we set off the wind behind us though the Atlantic swells were bigger than expected. We sailed down the Galician coast which is rocky beautiful though the big waves crashing against the coast make you keep your distance so we did, about 10 miles off. Our destination was Bayona. The autopilot ( a bit like sat nav except it also steers the boat) is constantly playing up so we were hand steering. Which is tiresome. Nothing on the boat works all the time, it takes it in turns to f...k up. Anyhow by eight the weather had deteriorated and was coming over the boat so we looked at the map Camarinas was the closest and we headed in.  \i think if someone else was writing this they would compliment my helmsmanship berthing this 28 tonne monster in 35 knot gusting winds, in pitch black however  the’re not so I will. Well done Adam. Anyhow we arrived in at one in the morning and I was knackered however Dawn Bebhin and Hannah were off in a flash to the yacht bar leaving me and Gabriel to shloff. I think Gabriel is taking on the mantle of Jewish manhood, wondering when the next meal is while at the same time thinking is it too early to go off to bed. Dawn on the other hand can be up 36 hours but if that bar is still open.........................

Anyhow this is the end of the first day here, we have eaten loads of seafood, not done much else and are going to sightseeing tomorrow. Will let you know how it goes

Adam

Anyone would think he came in single handed! – all he does is sit at the helm and we do the donkey work. It was a good sail yesterday reaching 7knots speed at times but it did become a bit choppy towards the evening as we approached Finisterre. We didn’t fancy going round the end of the world at night, particularly as the winds and swell were worsening. Why do we always end up coming in at night? Bringing in the sails out at sea in big swells and strong wind was a bit scary, just watching Adam and Bebhinn was terrifying. My tinkering with the autopilot paid off though and it worked well just when we needed it to keep us into wind as we were pulling in the sheets. Navigating at night into new harbours is not bad as long as you follow the lights, however perspective is a bit deceptive and its a bit disconcerting to be steaming at about 5knts into an apparent stonewall which suddenly loomed  in front of us! (it was in the daylight the beach and headland safely off in the distance) We made a quick course change and safely motored into the marina, where I made my first jump off and tie up – usually I leave it to younger legs – thats why I had to revive myself with a small night cap! Its not bad this sailing lark, but you never seem to end up where you intend to go and it always takes much longer than you expect. Some day we will get to Bayona....

Dawn