We left Falmouth on the 23rd, Dawie, Martin, Ian and
myself at the tale end of a gale. What a baptism of fire for Dawie. The first 24
hours were quite interesting with force 8 wind from the North west as we sailed
out into the English channel past the Lizard(the southern most point of England)
heading west out into the Atlantic. The idea is to get as far west as possible
while we have the wind in our favor.
Shaya Moya is going very well, handling the strong seas
and the wind with grace and determination. I cannot say the same for all the
crew, one went very quiet and one went off seasick for 24 hours. I must say that
down below was not the place to be, with waves of 3-4m crashing over the bow and
rushing back onto the spray dodger. In the cockpit it was comfortable and dry(
unless you were on the helm-then that devilish sea found its way between the
spray dodger and the bimini to douse one in a shower of icy cold sea
water.
The rest of the trip went very well with the wind from
the NNW at F5-6 most of the time. This gave us a wonderfully smooth broad reach
on the starboard tack for most of the way at speeds through the water at 8-9kts.
Exhilarating sailing. We split the watches into Ian and Martin, Dawie and
myself, which worked quite well. At times Dawie and I were enjoying the night
sail so much that we left the off watch to sleep and did double shifts. It was a
good time for Dawie and I to catch up.
We arrived in Bayona at midday on the 26th and berthed
up to the visitors pontoon at the new marina. Although we had some great meals
on board, cooked by Martin, Dawie and Ian in a kind of cook-off, hard to pick a
clear winner, it was wonderful to take the crew to a sea food restaurant on
shore. And what a wonderful surprise as who should join us here in Bayona Spain,
but Reece himself. I am hoping to get him to sail the entire trip with
us.
Unfortunately Dawie had to cut short his trip and head
back home. What a great pity as he was really getting into it. ian also left us
here as planned so it is a great relief that Reece has joined as sailing onwards
so short handed would have been quite tiring.
We are now waiting out a vicious little front that is
giving gale force winds out there to pass before setting sail for Portugal. I
hope that we will get a weather window tomorrow the 29th to get
going.
