Rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain. Oh no it doesn't
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Biscay Yesterday certainly provided plenty of entertainment.
Dolphins, Sun Fish and even a Fin Whale which dived before I could even think
about getting the camera. The weather provided the most entertainment. Having started
in little or no breeze, we ended up at 0100 this morning with strong gusting SW
winds in amongst the most spectacular storm clouds I have ever seen at sea.
They came at us in droves, and we monitored them on the radar before the gusts arrived,
followed by torrential down pours. So I can now pronounce the boat thoroughly
cleaned and all traces of Ria ash have been purged from the exterior. For a
while we were travelling at 9 knots plus, with just the reefed main and cutter
sail. It was way too gusty to risk the Current position is 46 degrees 56 Mins North, 7
degrees 5 mins West. It is sunny and after the leaden grey skies of this
morning, it is a welcome sight. The sea has calmed down and we now have a true
Atlantic swell. The wind has been cyclonic with wind speeds of 3 to 8 knots, since
around mid-day, so we have motor sailed. At some points the sea currents have
been surprisingly strong, whipping us along at quite a rate of knots. So far on the crossing we have covered 230 nm. The trip to
date has clocked up over 2030 nm. The continental shelf is some 40+ nm north of our current
position so it looks like we could have another fun night with the French
fishing fleet. Here’s hoping for a quiet night!! The forecast is for SW 3
to 5. If it’s the latter, we should have a cracking sail into the After little sleep last night we have both slept most of the
day, so we should be in good shape for the night ahead. The weather forecast for the Scilly’s (where we were
to have spoiled ourselves in a posh hotel on Tresco tomorrow), is not that
attractive, so we have decided to head for the Now for that Sheppard’s Pie and baked beans………………(well
if the SW 5 doesn’t arrive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) |