After three days of head winds and grey cold days, we were then confronted with no wind at all! Due to low fuel reserves we decided to divert to La Coruna. Our position is 43:22:05N 08:23:84W

As we reached a position some 40 miles north of La Coruna, the sun came out and so did the Northerly winds. Hooray. We then had a stunning downwind sail. As we neared land, some 10nm off, this wind increased from a gentle 20 to 25 knots up to 30 to 35 knot North  Easterly increasing to 35 to 40 knots,  with the odd gust over 45 knots. By this time we even had a reef in the burgee, but were still managing 8.5 knots as we surfed along on the big Atlantic swell. On the final 3 nm approach to the harbour we were on a broad reach and getting soaked by the waves breaking on the port beam. As is always the case, this was the first time in four days I was not wearing foul weather gear……………….I should know by now, not to be fooled by the sunshine.

The marina here has been improved no end over the last two years, but the toilets and washing facilities are still well below par and a half mile walk from this end of the marina! Thank goodness for holding tanks. The picture shows us moored up. We are the boat on the right!! The one on the left is 120 feet long, weighs 75 tonnes and has exactly the same sail plan that we have, including an in boom reefing system. So the skipper of this boat and I were exchanging experiences on the joys of reefing in boom systems. This boat is named  “Alarife”. It will be leaving here for Falmouth on Friday, and a week later will be visiting Dartmouth, before heading off to Ireland and then the Western Isles of Scotland. That said, they draw 4.5 metres, so there are very few anchorages in Scotland that can accommodate them.

After some 12 hours sleep last night, we have had a very productive and satisfying day, just tidying the boat, restowing things and generally getting sorted out. Having eaten out last night on a large Sea  Bass, we are dining in tonight on some Devon Filet Steak.

The plan now is to refuel first thing tomorrow (the fuel berth here is a real B*%$£”d to manuvoure into and even more challenging to get out), then head off around Finisterre. Then south. Either to Ria Muros or maybe all the way to Bayona. That said crew may well mutiny if I suggest another night sail just yet, as Bayona is around 120nm from here. WE might even get around to anchoring in the small Ria just south of Finisterre, next to the village of the same name.

On  the matter of pet names. We have now christened the Hydrovane “Hydie Vane” and the Autopilot is now answering to “Otto the …….”

Until tomorrow……………