44:41.67N 008:06.01W Biscay At Its Remarkable Best

Oboe D'Amore's Web Diary
Nigel Backwith
Tue 19 Apr 2011 13:19

Hi, Paul S here (Samson).  Wind did what it was supposed to, so Helford river turned into Coruña roads, and we have been  approaching Spain ever since at average 4 knots.  The weather is extraordinary for this time of year.  High pressure, light airs, slight swells and breeze generally abaft the beam. We have forgotten the meaning of time and cannot remember the sounds of the engine.  My mate of two seasons ago, Iain would be delighted at what he always referred to as downhill sailing, reminding me that “gentlemen to not beat to windward”, as no doubt it spills the pink gin.  Biscay at its unbelievable best.

 

Had a fright from a tanker which was overtaking and decided to do it on our right.  Unfortunately when he made this decision he was on our left, so for a while he was pointing straight at us, about a quarter of a mile away, steaming at 20+ knots.  Still he did offer us an apology over the VHF, when Nigel expressed his anger at the manoeuvre! Don’t hold back skipper!

 

Beautiful day today, woke up to a light south easterly giving us a close reach. The disappointment of not beating into a force 8 soothed by the best crab sandwiches I have ever eaten, and an outstanding bottle of Mersault courtesy of Paul C.

 

Now 75 miles off La Coruña, we are motoring in at 7 knots, since wind has dropped with little expectation of it returning.  Chef has delivered a civilized lunch of Crab Bisque and Smoked Salmon sandwiches, apparently from nowhere!  

 

We had a little rain last night and I heard the watch stifling giggles when I appeared in my Norwegian waterproof fisherman’s overalls, which have an unfortunate resemblance to a romper suit.

 

 

 

Follow our progress here:

 

http://blog.mailasail.com/oboe, where you can see our daily progress on Google Earth.  Email us at: oboe {CHANGE TO AT} mailasail {DOT} com any time you like.  Phone us on +881 631 669 194 and we’ll pick up via Iridium satellite.

 

 

Fair winds to you all.

 

 

Nigel

Paul

Paul

Tereza

Josef