Monday 10^th September – Arrival La Coruña

43:22.053N 8:23.739W

Well, we have finally arrived at La Coruña after travelling another 140 miles.  Last night was challenging again – one day we will learn to go out only in the daytime when the sea is flat and the winds are light. 

We donked on through the night given the range of sea and wind conditions.  When the swell is a snow capped great wall of black water higher than the guard rails which leaves you skidding from one side of the boat to the other or, when coming from behind, leaves you feeling like you are at the top of a slide in a childrens’ playground, you have to remind yourself that this is ‘fun’ – ho hum.

Added into this was the wind reaching F7 after rounding the main headland and the shipping that appeared each time it was my watch.  Richard now thinks I’m a boat magnet as it doesn’t happen to him.  One fishing boat was headed down our starboard side safely (checked on radar) and then suddenly decided to veer across our bows and only missed us because we stopped!

We had been expecting quite a bit of wind and swell but just a tad less than we got.

However, we arrived to glorious, hot sunshine at 11.00 this morning, absolutely shattered as we had not been able to sleep off watch with the conditions.  So, after a short sleep, it was a shower for me and into my bikini, and have since lounged about on deck all day reading – we’ve had to put the cockpit enclosure up as a sunshade, it’s so hot.  No complaints there.

Richard has been off for an explore of the ‘not-so-local’ chandlery and now feels he has walked most of La Coruña. 

The marina is not as nice as Gijon; the facilities are a portacabin (we understand they are due to build a new marina office with facilities and restaurant) and we were spoilt at Gijon because there weren’t many visitors’ boats there – here it is virtually full.

A short walk ashore this evening to the town square will be followed by an early night !