Around Cape Finisterre
Stargazer of Southampton
Susie and Adam (both think they are skipper)
Wed 11 Aug 2010 21:15
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11:08.10,
42.47.07N 9:02.94W
Today
started with a an overcast landscape and little wind. We had decided to push on
past Cape finisterre - lured by the pilot book promising us warmer
weather, and nicer Ria's, and headed toward Muros on the Spanish west coast. The
day started well with two pods of dolphins keeping us company for a short
time - but with their departure came the arrival of FOG! not that unusual
for an Adam and Susie sail (we often seem to end up in fog), so usual positions,
Adam on deck keeping a careful eye out and Susie doing the technical tracking of
vessels via radar.
The
wind picked up in the afternoon and a gentle downwind sail through the fog the
next few hours ended with better vis as we entered the Ria. surrounded by hills
and greenery the anchorage is a welcome relief. We never actually saw the
dreaded Cape Finisterre - all we saw was fog. Shame as I did want a
picture - however, happy to get round without being in a
gale.
It
took til we were within two miles of land to actually see the land - but we
found out why as we got closer. The shore is mountains and the clouds are
really low - we had to look upwards for land as you could see the tops of
the hills sticking up out of the clouds with everything below obscured. It
is really strange. This Ria is really lovely - we're anchored in a bay
surrounded by trees with a nice fishing town a 5 minute dingy ride away
(although soggy dingy ride this evening). The town is old with
small narrow, winding streets - we'll do some more exploring tomorrow. The
highlight of tonight though is more dolphins - we've been sat on the back of the
boat in the early evening watching a pod of bottlenose dolphins playing. These
are bigger dolphins than the common ones we've seen so far - they have been
jumping out of the water 50 yards from the boat - we think they probably live in
this bay since they have been around for a few hours. Hoping to go
diving just around the boat tomorrow as the water is very clear (although pretty
cold!)
On
the less fun point - had to fumigate the boat with fly spray tonight due to
mossies taking up residence with us and furnishing us with lots of lovely bites
whist we slept, we may be vegetarians but there are limits (we didn't eat the
mossies - just had to get rid of them). Fingers crossed they have been
eradicated as we both have some pretty grim looking bites.
Here
is a rather close up of a common dolphin that Adam took this morning as they
raced around the front of the boat. Looking forward to a day off tomorrow
to explore the area and the town.
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