Landfall - Spain

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 27 Aug 2009 12:14
Noon Position: 44 00.0.7 N 008 18.2 W
Course: South Speed: 6 knots
Wind: Northwest, fresh Sea slight on a moderate swell
Weather: Partly cloudy, mild
Day's run: 69 nm

Land fall at 10.36 this morning, Cabo Ortega, barring the unforeseen we will make harbour this evening. I guess the Bay of Biscay had to at least give us a light jab on the nose with a bit of rough stuff.

The wind started to ease late yesterday afternoon and by 7 p.m. we had tacked, were back under full sail again and making some decent progress towards our destination. As we closed the coast we started to encounter numerous fishing vessels, I think a number of them closed us to look us over but always remained clear of me, much more courteous than Australian fishing boats. Well it seems it is either too much or too little, the wind gradually faded until 4 a.m. there was not enough to fill the sails and keep the boat moving against the swell and seas left over from yesterday's blow. We were also crossing the continental shelf which in my experience invariable causes some water disturbances. I persisted for a while but in the end the mainsail's protestations were too much so we dropped sail and drifted for a few hours, allowing me to drift into the sweet arms of Morpheus for more than a few minutes.

At 9 a.m. a breeze had returned, the clouds had cleared and the sun was shining - perfect sailing weather, and moments later sails were up and Sylph was careening along at 5 plust knots. If the breeze holds we should make port this evening,

All is well.

Bob Cat:

A relatively pleasant night, skipper Bob seemed to settle in for a few hours, which meant better sleep for me as well. Life on a small boat revolves around food and sleep, in fact come to think of it life in general revolves around food and sleep, the food still leaves endless room for improvement so . Zzzzzzz.