43:22.07N 8:23.74W La Coruna - Mixed Feelings
Niord's Big Adventure
Tony Gratton
Sun 9 Jul 2023 21:08
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01-09/07/2023 La Coruna
Our arrival at La Coruna should have been a celebration,
but it was not too be. We were all dog-tired after Biscay. As Niord slipped into
her berth, a loud clunking noise was heard when she was put into reverse, so the
usually faultless engine on which so much preparation had been made was quickly
shut down. Something major was amiss. The second disaster followed in quick
succession. Our main cold water pump decided to give up the ghost.
This was parked for now as we had formalities to
complete, involving a brisk walk to the port police before they shut down for
the weekend. Next priority was lunch and a beer in a cafe overlooking the
marina. This raised our spirits somewhat. We had a major clean-up to do down
below after Biscay! Neil had talked a neighbour into lending us an air pump, so
Tony could check the pressure in the accumulator tank, in case this was the
issue. No joy. On returning the pump to Chris from Ragdoll, he jumped at the
chance to help, so instead of heading out for the evening, Tony rolled up his
sleeves once more and set to with Chris. Chris had experience of similar issues
in the past, and is a qualified naval architect! He soon identified the problem,
and with the aid of some of Tony's ample spares the pump was brought back to
life, and the foot-pump was transferred to a different feed. After a couple of
celebratory G & T's with Chris, we were sufficiently revived to head out for
the evening for tapas.
Sunday was Mr C's birthday, so all of our troubles were
parked for the day, as we set out to explore La Coruna, and find somewhere for
dinner. We took a walk through the old town to the beach, pausing for a beer on
the way, and another on the way back. This was when we discovered 1906. A
gorgeous reserve beer which became our bevvy of choice for the rest of our time
here. In the evening, we had an excellent meal at Portella with the odd glass of
vino!
Monday, the day of reckoning. The boys were packed off
for some sightseeing while the aft cabin was emptied to access the aft engine
bay, prop shaft and stern gland. There was carnage in my pristine engine bay!
The bolt holding the shaft in place was in two pieces buried under the engine,
and the shaft had slid out from the coupling, just about hanging on by the last
millimetre of key. There was a good splattering of oil right and left of the
shaft. Tony's heart sank. Niord was going to have to be lifted to assess the
damage. The good news was that as the shaft had slid out, we had probably not
dropped a blade. Next thing was an underwater inspection using our endoscope
tied onto a boathook. The boys had returned and Neil lent a hand. The news was
better. The prop was intact, and from what we could see there was no damage to
the rudder. Neil was itching for a swim, so jumped (literally) at the chance to
do an underwater inspection. Tony had borrowed Chris' (from Ragdoll) underwater
air supply, but Neil did not need it. Neil's dip confirmed the better
news.
Tony and Neil managed to get the shaft back into place,
and Tony fabricated an emergency bolt from an old anode stud in his stores. We
weren't going anywhere without a proper repair though.
Tuesday, the boys left us. Mr C's aging sailing jacket
was consigned to the bin after raining plastic 'snow' throughout the
boat!
Thursday, the replacement bolts arrived. Unfortunately,
so did the Orcas, some four weeks earlier than last year, making their presence
felt with their first attack in Galicia. This was smack in the middle of our
route down to Baiona!
Friday, the new bolt was fitted, and a major clean-up in
the aft engine bay had things once more restored to their usual pristine
condition. Now the weather was against us, with strong
wind and big swells at Finisterre. And so it proved to be also in La Coruna.
Luckily we had the 'conservatory' up, so could watch events serenely from the
cockpit. We decided to delay our departure until Monday. We were eight days
late, and about 120 nm short of our original landfall, placing us under serious
time pressure to make Lagos by the end of the month, notwithstanding the Orcas
waiting along our route...
Some impressions of La Coruna. Beautiful vibrant old
town with a great vibe, and some excellent food and drink. Still light, and blue
skies at 10 pm as we're so far west. Artisan ice cream, and pleasant walks. The
Torre de Hercules looking West towards Finisterre, our next
destination.
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