First blog from Nightsong - June 15th 2009

Nightsong
Mon 15 Jun 2009 12:07
Here we are 2 weeks into our year long cruise and the weather still ain't hot and sunny - which is what we are going south for! We seem to have had lots of grey sky and rain most days. Nevertheless we are having a good time - currently at one of the Galician alta rias, Caraminhas, 50 miles south of La Coruna.
 
Unfortunately we were delayed 2 days at our start in Plymouth - 'cos of more Southerly caused problems - this time with the bowthruster which hadn't been installed correctly - so the boat had to be pulled out and we missed the NE winds and fine weather of 2 weeks ago. Still we set off on 3rd June bound for Camaret near Breste which we made in 20hrs or so - then the weather broke and we were stuck there and at Audierne for a week while a series of summer depressions came up the channel, causing SW 7-8s. Finally on the Wednesday 10th last week for Coruna and made it in 47 hrs (340 miles) despite having to motor more than 1/2 the way - the wind started off at NW Force 6 which made for a rebellious crew but soon came down and headed us! Anyway that's the last non coastal passage that we have until the Perrings join us to sail from Lagos to Madeira!!
 
2 days in Coruna to recover though AJB (and now ELB too) managed to acquire an upset tummy and now we go down to Bayona near the Portuguese border- we mean to spend several days in these beautiful Galician rias. Tomorrow we round Cape Finistere - brings out the maritime gene in me - these wonderful names Cape Finistere, Cape St Vincent and Cape Trafalgar, evocative of the great18th century British naval ascendency - and all of which we will pass on out way to Madeira and the Canaries.
 
So far all well with the boat except the wind instruments are proving fickle (Raymarine will be called) and the Duogen wind/water generator broke a few hours into our Bay of Biscay crossing. Problem that was originally caused by a dolphin taking a snap at it last September on our first Biscay crossing! Mended it better this time - but not a job to be done rolling gunnel under in a big swell in the middle of the Atlantic!
 
Well in to the manchego and membrillo! Looking forward to the chorizo and wonderful cheap rioja etc when our stomachs settle!
 
AJB