We left port at 7:26AM, Friday 15^th August and set off into the depths of Biscay once again only this time we were entering the DEEP Zone 45:31.69N 1:58.03W

It was a stunning day as hot as you could imagine, not a cloud in the sky and the perfect wind to fly the kite to get us out of France only to be becalmed about 15 Kt Miles out.  In fact I think we sat and looked back at La Rachelle for almost all of the lovely day. This did not make for a great start but we were both happy with the great weather and Fish Fish Fish.

All of my fishing lure came into there own as I pulled in fish after fish, not 100% sure what they were however they looked similar to the mackerel I catch back in the UK, only they were a lot bigger and fatter.  They fought like you would not believe and their eyes were a lot larger. Oh and they were also lovely cooked fresh on the BBQ. The minute I got the first one on board thinking I may of gotten lucky onto the BBQ it went.  Wrapped in foil and cooked for about 6 minutes either side. Unbelievable is the only way to describe it. After a while I pulled in all the line due to the masses I was bringing in.  I did not stop cooking though, I tried cooking them with a little curry powder, herbs, salt and pepper - anything I had to perfect the catch until we were all fished out.  And we were all drank out, as you have to have wine, beer, scotch with a catch like that…..and so we did - eat and drink in the hot sun while we went no-where fast and slowly watched the land disappear behind us.

It was well into the night that the wind began to increase about 2AM I finally set the front sail and put us on a tack that would make us move. The moon was out and the night seemed almost as bright as the day. We were now heading for the deep water in Biscay, something I did not want to do initially in the planning stage of our trip but as sailing goes you can never say where you will end up. In parts the Bay gets deeper than 4000meters so it is a long way down. As I looked in to the distance I heard flipper come up beside me and say hello.  There must have been at least 3 or 4 dolphins checking out what I was doing which is always nice.

As we sailed on - or drifted on may be a more realistic description - another yacht in the distance came into view and was heading our way, I could only guess that he may have been where we were headed and I have been we he was going but it was very strange in the middle of the ocean with nothing around, no light, only the moon and stuff all wind that the two of us could of almost shaken hands as he limped on past Silky lit up by the moon in the middle of the night.

Another Yacht sailed past while becalmed.

Apart for the slow going it was a great start to out second night passage especially it only being Fi and I.

Special comments by Fiona:  Admittedly I was very nervous and apprehensive to embark on a 3 day crossing of the infamous Biscay.  For those who don’t know about the Bay of Biscay, it has a reputation for being reckless and notoriously fierce!  However, sun and a calm sea eased my nerves as I sat back and enjoyed the ride.  As previously mention I hate sailing at night and unlike Ben I didn’t enjoy it as much as his description above.  As soon as the sun rose I felt a sense of relief that we had survived our first night in Biscay

Day 025

Destination – Santander

Traveling Direction – South West

Wind Direction – North East (A gentle blow until nothing… nothing some more …. And more nothing….)

Average Speed 2.9 Knots (Absolutely Bobbing like a bath toy)

Top Speed – 4.6 Knots Over Ground (We had to start the engine to get over the rock and rolling)  

Total distance – About 55 Nautical Miles

Travel Time – 16 Hours around about

Temperature – 24 (Lots of Sunshine)

Crew     - Fiona (Amped during the day, not liking the night)  

Missing Work - I do not think So

Expenses – Sweet FA

Next Destination – Santander